The investigation prior to the pronouncement of sanctions is carried out by a rapporteur, appointed by the Vice-President of the Conseil d’Etat from among serving members of the administrative courts, for a term of three years, renewable once.
The rapporteur is bound by professional secrecy with regard to any facts, acts or information that may have come to his knowledge by virtue of his office, under the conditions and subject to the penalties laid down in articles 226-13 and 226-14 of the French Penal Code.