Legal consultation in Geneva: the complete guide

What is a legal advice service (« permanence juridique »)?

A legal advice service offers simple, fast access to a lawyer with no long-term commitment: you present your situation in a short appointment, and the lawyer explains your rights, the possible steps and the deadlines to respect. It is the ideal entry point when you wonder “do I need a lawyer?” — the honest answer sometimes being: no, or not yet.

The Geneva Legal Advice Service is run by the lawyers of the firm of Me Stéphane Rey, admitted to the Geneva Bar. Consultations take place at rue Michel-Chauvet 3, close to the Natural History Museum, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm by appointment.

How does the 30-minute consultation work?

The format is deliberately simple and transparent:

• 1. You book an appointment — by form or phone, often at short notice.
• 2. You present your situation — 30 minutes with a lawyer, in French, English or Italian. Bring the relevant documents: contracts, letters, decisions, judgments.
• 3. You leave with clear guidance — your rights, the available options, the deadlines not to miss, and an honest assessment of whether further action is worthwhile.

If your case requires follow-up — a letter, negotiation, proceedings — the firm can act under a mandate, with clear fee information before any commitment. There is no obligation to continue after the consultation.

How much does a legal consultation cost in Geneva?

At the Geneva Legal Advice Service, the 30-minute consultation costs CHF 50.-, a fixed price announced upfront. A modest investment compared to the cost of a missed deadline: an objection not filed within 10 days, a tax objection missed after 30 days, or a dismissal not contested in time can cost far more.

Private consultation or state legal aid: what is the difference?

Many people searching for “legal aid in Geneva” confuse two distinct things. Legal aid (assistance judiciaire) is state support: if your income is insufficient and your case is not devoid of merit, the canton may cover all or part of the procedural and lawyer costs. It is requested from the Geneva judiciary, with a form and supporting documents.

A consultation at the legal advice service is a private, immediate service with no means test: CHF 50.- for 30 minutes, available within days. The two are complementary — and if your situation qualifies for legal aid, we will tell you during the consultation and guide you through the application.

What problems can you consult about?

The lawyers advise in every area of law, with particularly developed practice in six of them:

Who are the lawyers?

Consultations are provided by Me Stéphane Rey, attorney at the Geneva Bar for over twenty years and founder of the Rey law firm, and Me Andrea Lezzi, attorney at the firm — both members of the Geneva Bar Association and the Swiss Bar Association. The firm has assisted over 6,000 clients. Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Is the consultation confidential?

Completely. Everything you entrust to the lawyer is covered by professional secrecy (art. 13 of the Swiss Lawyers Act), one of the strongest protections in Swiss law — broader even than data protection. The anonymity of your enquiry is guaranteed.

Should I prepare anything?

Bring the documents related to your case (contracts, letters, decisions, judgments, salary slips depending on the topic) and, if possible, a short chronology of the facts. The better prepared the file, the more productive the 30 minutes.

What if my case is urgent?

Say so when booking: slots run from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays, and urgent situations (imminent appeal deadlines, protective measures, violence) are treated as priorities.

Can I consult in English or Italian?

Yes — the firm’s lawyers consult in French, English and Italian.

General information for guidance only, not a substitute for individual legal advice. Every situation deserves its own analysis — that is what the consultation is for.