The digitalization of French administrative justice has reached a decisive milestone with the deployment of Télérecours. This platform is now the benchmark tool for electronic communication with administrative courts. It is part of a global initiative to modernize legal communication tools and dematerialize administrative formalities, enabling lawyers and litigants to carry out their procedures securely and efficiently online.

What is Télérecours?

Télérecours is the official platform for electronic communication with French administrative courts. Launched in 2012 for citizens, then generalized in 2018, it enables petitions, briefs and documents to be filed dematerially with administrative courts, administrative courts of appeal and the Conseil d’État. Developed by the Conseil d’État, this solution meets the requirements of the November 9, 2011 decree on electronic communication before administrative courts.

Since January 1, 2019, in accordance with the decree of December 28, 2018, the use of Télérecours has become mandatory for lawyers in their exchanges with administrative courts. The platform now handles more than 200,000 cases annually, testifying to its massive adoption by legal professionals. It represents a major change in the way administrative disputes are handled, guaranteeing the legal security of exchanges while considerably simplifying procedures.

The different versions of Télérecours

Télérecours is available in two main versions, adapted to different types of user. This distinction enables us to offer specific functionalities according to the needs and level of expertise of each profile.

Télérecours Citoyen

Télérecours Citoyen is designed for individuals and legal entities wishing to take their case directly to an administrative court, without having to go through a lawyer. This simplified version features an intuitive interface to guide users through the paperless administrative process.

It enables you to file a request, consult the status of a case and receive electronic notifications. Access is via FranceConnect, guaranteeing secure identification without the need to create a specific account.

Lawyer Telerecourse

Télérecours Avocat is the professional version for lawyers and agents. It offers advanced functionalities tailored to the day-to-day practice of administrative litigation. This solution represents a true digital choice for administrative law professionals.

This version enables you to manage several files simultaneously, make group filings and benefit from sophisticated search options. Authentication is via an electronic certificate issued by the Conseil National des Barreaux, guaranteeing maximum security for electronic transactions with administrative jurisdictions.

Key features of the platform

Télérecours integrates a complete set of functionalities designed to cover the entire life cycle of an administrative dispute. These tools radically transform day-to-day case management. In particular, the platform facilitates the management of legal documents by centralizing all exchanges with administrative jurisdictions.

Electronic filing of documents

The platform enables all types of pleadings to be filed electronically: motions to institute proceedings, briefs in defense, briefs in reply and supporting documents. The system instantly generates a time-stamped acknowledgement of receipt with electronic certification, confirming the exact date and time of filing.

This feature eliminates the constraints associated with traditional mailings and guarantees full traceability of each transmission. Documents must be deposited in PDF format, preferably PDF/A to ensure better long-term preservation. The platform accepts files of up to 20 MB per document, with a limit of 50 attachments per deposit. These technical specifications enable us to manage even the largest files efficiently, while ensuring the fluidity of the system.

Real-time tracking of files

Télérecours provides permanent visibility of the status of each case. You can consult the documents filed, the decisions handed down and upcoming deadlines at any time. This transparency makes it much easier to manage your case portfolio, and strengthens your ability to anticipate any necessary action.

The customizable dashboard lets you filter and organize cases according to different criteria: jurisdiction, date, status or case number. Visual indicators make it easy to quickly identify cases requiring special attention. This optimal organization resembles the functionalities of modern exchange platforms, offering a fluid and intuitive user experience.

Electronic notifications

The automatic notification system is a major advantage of Télérecours. You receive instant e-mail alerts whenever a significant event occurs, such as the registration of an opposing brief, the scheduling of a hearing, the notification of an order or the delivery of a judgment. This automation of alerts integrates perfectly with modern automatic data entry tools, enabling complete traceability of your activity.

These notifications are gradually replacing traditional digital postal services, offering unrivalled responsiveness. You no longer risk missing a critical deadline or an important communication from the jurisdiction. Customizable alert settings let you filter notifications according to your priorities, optimizing your day-to-day organization.

Advantages of Telerecours for lawyers

The adoption of Télérecours is profoundly transforming the practice of administrative litigation, bringing tangible, measurable benefits on a daily basis. This development is part of a wider trend towards the digitalization of thelegal profession, where technological tools are redefining traditional working methods.

Time savings and operational efficiency

Dematerialization eliminates the time-consuming tasks of printing, binding and mailing, saving between 2 and 4 hours per file on average. You can file a brief in just a few clicks, 24 hours a day, until 11:59 pm on the due date, eliminating the stress of court closing times and postal delays.

According to CNB studies, this flexibility generates a 30% reduction in administrative management time, and significantly improves compliance with procedural deadlines. Processing times are several days shorter than with traditional mailings. Integration with specialized legal software further facilitates day-to-day work, particularly when integrating an external partner for a specific case.

Cost reduction

Using Télérecours generates tangible, measurable savings on operating costs. For each file processed electronically, you save between 15 and 30 euros in printing, binding, registered postage and courier costs. For a firm processing 50 administrative files a year, this represents annual savings of 750 to 1,500 euros.

The cost of the CNB electronic certificate (around 50 euros per year) is quickly amortized: the return on investment is seen as soon as 3 to 4 files have been processed. These substantial savings can be integrated into your billing software to optimize your rates or improve your firm’s profitability. A fee simulator enables you to integrate these new economic realities into your pricing proposals.

Safety and reliability

The platform guarantees a high level of security thanks to data encryption and strong user authentication, in compliance with data law requirements. Every action is traced and time-stamped, creating a complete audit trail that meets the strictest standards of digital justice. This secure architecture ensures the confidentiality of exchanges and the integrity of transmitted documents.

Electronic acknowledgements of receipt have the same legal value as postal acknowledgements, while offering more robust and immediately accessible proof. This level of security provides effective protection against the risk of loss or disputed filing, as part of a global approach to compliance and procedural risk management. The technical reliability of Télérecours is a guarantee of peace of mind for legal professionals.

How to access and use Télérecours

Access to Télérecours requires a specific registration procedure, depending on your user profile. Lawyers can register via the Conseil National des Barreaux portal.

Registration process for lawyers

You must first obtain an electronic certificate from the CNB. This certificate, stored on a secure USB key or in a digital safe, constitutes your official electronic identity.

Once you’ve obtained your certificate, you can create your Télérecours Avocat account by following the guided procedure on the official website. Your account is generally activated within 48 hours of validation of your registration by the Conseil d’État.

First steps on the platform

After logging in, take your time to familiarize yourself with the interface by methodically exploring the different sections: the dashboard which centralizes your cases, the case filing area, consultation of current cases and customizable notification parameters. The platform also provides online legal tutorials and detailed practical guides to help you get started.

Start with simple operations such as consulting an existing file or browsing through your history, before proceeding with your first electronic filing. This gradual approach will enable you to quickly acquire the reflexes you need to use the system optimally, so that you can feel at home in the working environment. Don’t hesitate to try out the different functions on smaller files, so that you can fully master the tool.

Integrating Telerecours into your daily practice

Successful adoption of Télérecours requires clear internal procedures for filing documents and monitoring deadlines. Integrate the platform with your management software to centralize your administrative litigation and automate repetitive tasks. The Conseil d’État offers free online training and technical support available during working hours to help you develop your skills.

The platform is regularly updated with new features to enhance the user experience. By mastering Télérecours, you position your law firm at the cutting edge of the modernization of administrative justice, while benefiting from measurable time and efficiency savings on a daily basis.

Mandatory nature and exceptions

Since January 1, 2019, the use of Télérecours has become mandatory for all lawyers intervening before administrative courts, in accordance with Decree no. 2018-1280 of December 28, 2018. This obligation marks a decisive step in the complete dematerialization of administrative procedures.

However, the legislator has provided for certain exceptions to this principle of obligation:

• In the event ofduly justified technical impossibility (platform malfunction, major computer breakdown)
• Inabsolute emergency situations requiring immediate treatment

Failure to comply with this obligation can have serious procedural consequences. Documents filed by post when electronic filing was compulsory may be declared inadmissible by the court, thereby compromising the customer’s interests.

It should be noted that this obligation does not apply to private individuals, who retain the choice between the electronic route (via Télérecours Citoyen) and the traditional postal route. This flexibility is designed to guarantee access to the courts for all litigants, whatever their level of digital literacy.

Lastly, certain specific procedures may derogate from these general rules and provide for particular methods of communication with the courts. It is therefore essential to systematically check the rules applicable to each type of administrative dispute.