The French National School of Magistrates (ENM) is launching its recruitment campaign for candidates for the initial training of foreign judges.

This program offers foreign judges the opportunity to join the class of trainee judges to complete the theoretical training for trainee judges, lasting seven months, in Bordeaux, followed by a five-month internship within a French court.

It is open to French-speaking judges who can demonstrate at least a C1 level of French and that this program is relevant to their career path.

Recruitment Process, 2026-2027 timeline :

Before March 2nd, 2026 :

Identification of potential candidates by the diplomatic network, in conjunction with local authorities, followed by pre-selection through oral interviews focusing on their profile, motivations, and level of French.

Before March 13, 2026 :

The Embassy will organize a 4-hour exam based on one of two topics sent by the ENM (civil law or criminal law, depending on the candidate's choice). The exam papers will be sent to the ENM for marking, along with the candidates' complete application files.

These files must include the following documents : curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, proof of diplomas and language proficiency, and the registration form containing the Embassy's feedback on the application. Candidates will be selected based on:

- Their written results, an assessment of their motivation, and their level of French;

- The existence of a scholarship established by the local authorities and/or the Embassy;

- The number of places available at the ENM.

April 7, 2026 :

The ENM will announce the results.

June 15, 2026 : Welcome to the selected magistrates in Bordeaux.

Please download the information sheet for integration into the initial training program from the catalog, as well as the registration form for the various training courses offered:

Long-term Initial Training Program for Foreign Magistrates 2026 :

https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/cycle_long_en_formation_initiale_pour_magistrats_etrangers_2026.pdf

Registration Form :

https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/formulaire_d_inscription.pdf

Long-term Training Program Information Sheet 2026 :

https://ht.ambafrance.org/IMG/pdf/fiche_formation_cycle_long_2026.pdf

IH/ iciHaiti