Mr Sarkozy, a business and family lawyer himself, and Thierry Herzog were recorded in discussion through a prepaid mobile that Mr Sarkozy was using in the name of Paul Bismuth. Mr Sarkozy - who used to be a leading French legal adviser to former Italian president Silvio Berlusconi - has argued that the tapes should be covered by rules on client-lawyer privilege. 

Denial

The tapes appear to reveal a discussion about giving a prestigious role to a magistrate in return for getting information on another case (the Bettancourt inquiry) from that magistrate. The role was not awarded to the magistrate - and the former president denies any wrong-doing.

Preparing a presidential bid

Lawyers for Messrs Sarkozy and Herzog have said that they will now appeal to France's top court, the Cour de Cassation. Mr Sarkozy had been considering running for the French presidency again in 2017 but the court's decision appears to put a major obstacle in the way. In connection with this case, he was formally placed under investigation for alleged misuse of influence last July. Sources: Financial Times and BBC