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France’s French Budget Act (LOLF) has revolutionized public finance by replacing the means-based approach with a performance and output-based approach. The justice system is somewhat unfamiliar with this new culture, and a variety of risks have been possible. The budget framework drawn up by the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the LOLF had performance indicators that did not measure the quality of service given to users of the justice system. Faced with the need to control justice expenditure (outsourced technical services), the judicial authorities, greatly helped by the ministry, have succeeded in limiting this expenditure by reviewing their professional practices. Although this success has been praised by the Budget Ministry, the first two budget rounds have provided the Ministry of Justice with an opportunity to introduce a highly centralized system, depriving managers of scope for initiative. The LOLF has therefore not yet brought about increased freedom. However, the control of justice expenditure has given judges an opportunity to show that they can manage public funds carefully without compromising judicial values.