Where the person claiming to have been injured has brought a civil action in the manner provided for in Article 420-1, the President shall read out the claim as soon as the hearing has been completed. The Public Prosecutor makes his submissions; the accused and, if applicable, the person civilly liable present their defence.
If the court deems it necessary, it may order the civil party to appear. In this case, the proceedings on the whole case or only on the civil interests are postponed to a future hearing, the date of which is immediately set. The parties are required to appear without further summons at the postponement hearing. The same applies to persons invited by the court to remain at its disposal when a written warning is immediately issued to them.