BOOK VII: Commercial jurisdictions and the organisation of commerce.

A National Council of Commercial Courts is established under the Minister of Justice.

The National Council of Commercial Courts is chaired by the Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice. It also comprises: 1° Five ex officio members: a) The director of judicial services; b) The director of civil affairs and the seal; c) The director of criminal affairs and pardons; d) The president of the general conference of consular judges of France; e) The president of the national council of commercial court…

The members of the National Council of Commercial Courts with the status of consular judge are appointed from among those who have put themselves forward as candidates no later than three months before the expiry of the term of office of the members in office.

At its first meeting and at each renewal, the Council shall elect a Vice-Chairman from among those of its members who are serving or honorary consular judges.

The Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice, may consult the council in the following areas: 1° The training and ethics of commercial court judges; 2° The organisation, operation and activity of commercial courts; 3° The jurisdiction and location of commercial courts. The council may issue proposals in the same areas.

The Conseil national des tribunaux de commerce is drawing up a compendium of ethical obligations for commercial court judges, which is being made public.

The Council may, at the request of the heads of the courts of appeal or with their agreement, conduct fact-finding visits to the commercial courts.

The Council reports on its activities in an annual report submitted to the Minister of Justice.

The Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice, appoints a General Secretary and defines his or her duties.