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Article 800 of the French Code of civil procedure

If one of the lawyers has not completed the acts of the procedure within the time limit set, the judge may order the proceedings to be terminated in respect of that lawyer, of his own motion or at the request of another party, except that, in the latter case, the judge may refuse by reasoned order that is not subject to appeal. A copy of the order is sent to the defaulting party at his real domicile or residence.
The judge shall withdraw the order for partial closure, of his own motion or when he receives submissions to this end, to allow him to respond to new claims or arguments presented by a party after the order. The same shall apply in the event of a serious and duly justified reason.

If there are no other parties to conclude the case, the judge orders that the investigation be closed and that the case be referred back to court.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 800

Si l’un des avocats n’a pas accompli les actes de la procédure dans le délai imparti, le juge peut ordonner la clôture à son égard, d’office ou à la demande d’une autre partie, sauf, en ce dernier cas, la possibilité pour le juge de refuser par ordonnance motivée non susceptible de recours. Copie de l’ordonnance est adressée à la partie défaillante, à son domicile réel ou à sa résidence.


Le juge rétracte l’ordonnance de clôture partielle, d’office ou lorsqu’il est saisi de conclusions à cette fin, pour permettre de répliquer à des demandes ou des moyens nouveaux présentés par une partie postérieurement à cette ordonnance. Il en est de même en cas de cause grave et dûment justifiée.


Si aucune autre partie ne doit conclure, le juge ordonne la clôture de l’instruction et le renvoi devant le tribunal.

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