Offering an introduction to the fundamental structures and concepts of the French legal system, this work provides a starting point for more detailed analysis. There have been a number of changes since the last edition was published, and this edition takes account of these, including: institutional reforms introduced by President Mitterand; recent reforms to the judiciary; modifications to the procedure for investigating the criminal liability of members of government; modification of the right to a lawyer during custody; the creation of a new Coer de Justice de la Republique; and coverage of the Criminal Proceedings Act 1993. Diagrams explain complicated court structures and proceedings, notably an example of an assignation and recours adminitratif.