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Article 446-3 of the French Code of civil procedure

The judge may, at any time, invite the parties to provide the explanations of fact and law that he deems necessary for the resolution of the dispute and give them formal notice to produce, within a period that he shall determine, all the documents or justifications likely to enlighten him, failing which he may disregard the request and rule by drawing all the consequences from the party’s failure to act or his refusal.

Where the exchanges take place outside a hearing pursuant to articles 446-2 of this Code or L. 212-5-1 of the code de l’organisation judiciaire, the parties are notified by any means of the request made by the judge.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 446-3

Le juge peut inviter, à tout moment, les parties à fournir les explications de fait et de droit qu’il estime nécessaires à la solution du litige et les mettre en demeure de produire dans le délai qu’il détermine tous les documents ou justifications propres à l’éclairer, faute de quoi il peut passer outre et statuer en tirant toute conséquence de l’abstention de la partie ou de son refus.



Lorsque les échanges ont lieu en dehors d’une audience en application des articles 446-2 du présent code ou L. 212-5-1 du code de l’organisation judiciaire, les parties sont avisées par tout moyen de la demande faite par le juge.

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