French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti will stand trial before a special judicial body in a conflict of interest case that has become the Achilles heel of President Emmanuel Macron's government.

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti will stand trial before a special judicial body in a conflict of interest case that has become the Achilles heel of President Emmanuel Macron's government. The Court of Justice of the Republic which deals with suspected cases of crime or offence committed by a member of the government will be hearing the case. The jury usually comprises of lawmakers and judges of France's highest court, the Cour de Cassation. Since the judicial body's inception in 1993, it has only held eight formal trials, making Dupond-Moretti a notable exception. Judicial trials by their nature are extremely volatile, however, Remi Lorrain, Dupond-Moretti's lawyer stated that "the minister is extremely confident and he will not resign". As reported by WION, Eric Dupond-Moretti, a 60-year-old former star lawyer, was recruited by President Emmanuel Macron just a year ago, swapping his life as one of the country's most famous criminal lawyers for a career in politics. Read more: French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti charged in conflict of interest probe He stands accused of taking advantage of his position as minister to settle scores with opponents from his legal career. Notably, Dupond-Moretti is France's first sitting justice minister to be charged in a legal probe. In January, the French court launched an investigation after an anti-corruption group and three magistrates' unions filed conflict of interest complaints against Dupond-Moretti. Dupond-Moretti has said the unions were using the allegations of conflict of interest to block his reforms. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French justice minister to face trial over conflict of interest charges

France to make it easier for citizens to take their mother's name once they are adults, the country's Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said on Sunday (December 19).&nbsp;

A bill has been proposed by ruling LREM party lawmaker Patrick Vignal, which will allow children to easily change their family name through a simple procedure at the local town hall once they turn 18.&nbsp;

The justice minister said that the government would support the proposed bill. The law will be voted on in the coming weeks. Taking to his Twitter, Dupond-Moretti said, "Nobody should have to reveal their intimate reasons for changing their name to the state."&nbsp;

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In France, citizens can change their family name but the procedure is quite long and difficult, which requires them to prove to the justice ministry a legitimate reason for doing so. The new law is intended to simplify the process.&nbsp;

As per a report by Reuters, citizens will be free to keep their father's family name, take their mother's family name or take both in whichever order they wish after the new law.&nbsp;

In an interview with Elle magazine, Dupond-Moretti said the new legislation will make it easier to change the family name of citizens raised by single mothers or by two fathers or two mothers.

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"It will be a law of equality between parents, a law of freedom for every French person. It will be carried by the deputy Patrick Vignal, the deputies of the majority and is supported by a collective, "Bear My Name"," Elle quoted Dupond-Moretti as saying.&nbsp;

"I am thinking in particular of the child who bears the name of a man who was not a father but a progenitor who forgot his homework," the minister said.&nbsp;

The legislation would also be a solution for people wishing to change their family name after traumatic situations such as incest, or violence by a father against the mother of his children, he said.&nbsp;

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Beaucoup de Francais sont fiers de leur nom de famille mais ce n’est pas le cas de tous. 
L’intime n’ayant pas à être dévoilé à l’Etat, passé 18 ans, vous aurez demain la liberté de choisir 1 fois entre le nom de votre père, celui de votre mère ou les deux.<a href="https://t.co/2E6W9PWeCZ">https://t.co/2E6W9PWeCZ</a>
— Eric Dupond-Moretti (@E_DupondM) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_DupondM/status/1472497822440243203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

France to make it easier for citizens to take their mother's name once they are adults, the country's Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said on Sunday (December 19).

France to make it easier for citizens to take their mother's name once they are adults, the country's Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said on Sunday (December 19). A bill has been proposed by ruling LREM party lawmaker Patrick Vignal, which will allow children to easily change their family name through a simple procedure at the local town hall once they turn 18. The justice minister said that the government would support the proposed bill. The law will be voted on in the coming weeks. Taking to his Twitter, Dupond-Moretti said, "Nobody should have to reveal their intimate reasons for changing their name to the state." ALSO READ | Netherlands starts Omicron lockdown just as Christmas season approaches In France, citizens can change their family name but the procedure is quite long and difficult, which requires them to prove to the justice ministry a legitimate reason for doing so. The new law is intended to simplify the process. As per a report by Reuters, citizens will be free to keep their father's family name, take their mother's family name or take both in whichever order they wish after the new law. In an interview with Elle magazine, Dupond-Moretti said the new legislation will make it easier to change the family name of citizens raised by single mothers or by two fathers or two mothers. ALSO READ | Facebook pays fine in Russia over content deemed illegal "It will be a law of equality between parents, a law of freedom for every French person. It will be carried by the deputy Patrick Vignal, the deputies of the majority and is supported by a collective, "Bear My Name"," Elle quoted Dupond-Moretti as saying. "I am thinking in particular of the child who bears the name of a man who was not a father but a progenitor who forgot his homework," the minister said. The legislation would also be a solution for people wishing to change their family name after traumatic situations such as incest, or violence by a father against the mother of his children, he said. Beaucoup de Francais sont fiers de leur nom de famille mais ce n’est pas le cas de tous. L’intime n’ayant pas à être dévoilé à l’Etat, passé 18 ans, vous aurez demain la liberté de choisir 1 fois entre le nom de votre père, celui de votre mère ou les deux.https://t.co/2E6W9PWeCZ — Eric Dupond-Moretti (@E_DupondM) December 19, 2021 × (With inputs from agencies)

'A law of equality': France to make it easier for citizens to take mother's family name

French Justice Minister Eric&nbsp;Dupond-Moretti&nbsp;was charged Friday in a conflict of interest inquiry after questioning by investigating magistrates, his lawyers said.

Eric Dupond-Moretti, a 60-year-old former star lawyer, was recruited by President Emmanuel Macron just a year ago, swapping his life as one of the country's most famous criminal lawyers for a career in politics.&nbsp;

Now he stands accused of taking advantage of his position as minister to settle scores with opponents from his legal career.

"The justice minister is not above the law, but he is not beneath it either," Dupond-Moretti&nbsp;told journalists as he arrived at the Law Court of the Republic in central Paris.

He is France's first sitting justice minister to be charged in a legal probe.

Under French law, a formal investigation means there is "serious or consistent evidence" implicating a suspect. It is one step closer to a trial, but it does not amount to being charged.

The person can be charged at a later date if further evidence emerges against them, or the investigation can be dropped.

Dupond-Moretti&nbsp;was questioned for hours by the Cour de Justice de La Republique, a special court that deals with complaints against serving ministers.

In January, the court launched an investigation after an anti-corruption group and three magistrates' unions filed conflict of interest complaints against Dupond-Moretti.

Dupond-Moretti has said the unions were using the allegations of conflict of interest to block his reforms.

(With inputs from agencies)

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti was charged Friday in a conflict of interest inquiry after questioning by investigating magistrates, his lawyers said.

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti was charged Friday in a conflict of interest inquiry after questioning by investigating magistrates, his lawyers said. Eric Dupond-Moretti, a 60-year-old former star lawyer, was recruited by President Emmanuel Macron just a year ago, swapping his life as one of the country's most famous criminal lawyers for a career in politics. Now he stands accused of taking advantage of his position as minister to settle scores with opponents from his legal career. "The justice minister is not above the law, but he is not beneath it either," Dupond-Moretti told journalists as he arrived at the Law Court of the Republic in central Paris. He is France's first sitting justice minister to be charged in a legal probe. Under French law, a formal investigation means there is "serious or consistent evidence" implicating a suspect. It is one step closer to a trial, but it does not amount to being charged. The person can be charged at a later date if further evidence emerges against them, or the investigation can be dropped. Dupond-Moretti was questioned for hours by the Cour de Justice de La Republique, a special court that deals with complaints against serving ministers. In January, the court launched an investigation after an anti-corruption group and three magistrates' unions filed conflict of interest complaints against Dupond-Moretti. Dupond-Moretti has said the unions were using the allegations of conflict of interest to block his reforms. (With inputs from agencies)

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti charged in conflict of interest probe