The rule: the préfecture that took the decision
An appeal against an order to leave France (OQTF) is, as a rule, filed with the administrative court for the préfecture that took the decision. So it is not always the court for where you live: an OQTF issued by the préfecture de police comes under the Paris court, even if you live in the suburbs.
Two exceptions: if you are placed in detention or under house arrest, the court for the place of detention or house arrest has jurisdiction. Detention centre no. 3 at Le Mesnil-Amelot, in Seine-et-Marne, comes under the Montreuil court, however.
The five courts in Île-de-France
| Département | Préfecture | Administrative court |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (75) | Préfecture de police | Paris |
| Seine-Saint-Denis (93) | Bobigny | Montreuil |
| Hauts-de-Seine (92) | Nanterre | Cergy-Pontoise |
| Val-d’Oise (95) | Cergy | Cergy-Pontoise |
| Val-de-Marne (94) | Créteil | Melun |
| Seine-et-Marne (77) | Melun | Melun |
| Yvelines (78) | Versailles | Versailles |
| Essonne (91) | Évry-Courcouronnes | Versailles |
The addresses and opening hours of the court registries are on each court’s website: Paris, Montreuil, Cergy-Pontoise, Melun and Versailles (in French).
The time limit does not depend on the court
The time limit depends on your situation when the decision was served: one month if you are free, 7 days if you are under house arrest or in prison, 48 hours if you are in detention. Find my time limit
How to file the appeal
- through your lawyer, on the Télérecours platform;
- without a lawyer, online on Télérecours citoyens, by post or at the court registry;
- in detention, the application can also be handed to the centre’s administration, within the time limit.
The application must set out the grounds and be accompanied by the decision being challenged. Legal aid can be applied for at the same time: do not wait for the answer before filing the appeal.
And on appeal?
The administrative court’s judgment can be challenged within one month before the administrative court of appeal of Paris or Versailles, depending on which court gave judgment. An appeal does not suspend removal.
Etienne Lemichel and his team appear before the five administrative courts of Île-de-France. Call the firm on +33 7 49 90 46 30, or send a text or a WhatsApp message.
This guide gives general information as of the date shown, based on the Conseil d’État map of administrative courts, Service-public.fr and the circular of 14 July 2024 (sources in French). It does not replace a consultation: which court has jurisdiction may depend on circumstances specific to your case.