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Article 63-4-3 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

The hearing or confrontation is conducted under the direction of the officer or agent of the judicial police who may at any time, in the event of difficulty, put an end to it and immediately notify the public prosecutor who, if necessary, informs the President of the Bar so that another lawyer can be appointed.

At the end of each hearing or confrontation in which he or she is present, the lawyer may ask questions. The officer or agent of the judicial police may object to the questions only if they are likely to interfere with the proper conduct of the investigation. This refusal is noted in the record.

At the end of each interview with the person in police custody and each hearing or confrontation in which he or she has been present, the lawyer may submit written observations in which he or she may record the questions refused pursuant to the second paragraph. These will be attached to the proceedings. The lawyer may send his observations, or a copy thereof, to the public prosecutor during the period of police custody.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 63-4-3
L’audition ou la confrontation est menée sous la direction de l’officier ou de l’agent de police judiciaire qui peut à tout moment, en cas de difficulté, y mettre un terme et en aviser immédiatement le procureur de la République qui informe, s’il y a lieu, le bâtonnier aux fins de désignation d’un autre avocat.


A l’issue de chaque audition ou confrontation à laquelle il assiste, l’avocat peut poser des questions. L’officier ou l’agent de police judiciaire ne peut s’opposer aux questions que si celles-ci sont de nature à nuire au bon déroulement de l’enquête. Mention de ce refus est portée au procès-verbal.


A l’issue de chaque entretien avec la personne gardée à vue et de chaque audition ou confrontation à laquelle il a assisté, l’avocat peut présenter des observations écrites dans lesquelles il peut consigner les questions refusées en application du deuxième alinéa. Celles-ci sont jointes à la procédure. L’avocat peut adresser ses observations, ou copie de celles-ci, au procureur de la République pendant la durée de la garde à vue.

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