5. Council of State

5.1 Features

It is the highest administrative court, and the ultimate judge of the activities of government agencies: the executive, local authorities, independent authorities, public establishments and bodies with prerogatives of public authority.

It is based at the Palais-Royal in Paris.

It was created in 1799.

Its members (currently around 300), who are "conseillers d'État" rather than "magistrats", are divided into three grades:

• listeners ;

• maîtres des requêtes ;

• advisors.

The assistance of a lawyer at the Conseil d'Etat is compulsory (see §