Lawyers seek 300,000 euro monthly fine over French residence permit delays

The Association des avocats pour la défense des droits des étrangers (ADDE) has launched a class action lawsuit against the French state regarding the management of residence permits in the Hauts-de-Seine department. The legal action, filed in July before the Cergy-Pontoise administrative tribunal, seeks to address what lawyers describe as structural failures within the prefecture's services for foreigners.

The ADDE identifies four primary issues: the inability to secure appointments before current permits expire, excessive processing times, the absence of receipts (récépissés) in several files, and difficulties in establishing direct contact with prefectural services.

As a deterrent, the lawyers are requesting a monthly fine of 300,000 euros if the administration fails to rectify these shortcomings within six months of a potential court ruling. This amount is intended as a coercive measure to ensure administrative compliance rather than as direct compensation for affected individuals. The association also requested that an independent body, such as the Défenseur des droits, oversee the implementation of any judicial decision.