Chapter I: Ordinary procedure.

The tribunal paritaire de baux ruraux with territorial jurisdiction is that of the place where the property is located.

Where the joint tribunal has two divisions, the case shall be brought before the division having jurisdiction having regard to the nature of the contract binding the parties. However, if one section of the tribunal cannot be constituted or cannot function, the case shall be brought before the other section.

The procedure applicable before the joint tribunal shall be the ordinary oral procedure applicable before the judicial tribunal subject to the provisions below.

The parties have the option of being assisted or represented. However, at the preliminary conciliation attempt, they are required to appear in person, unless they are represented for a legitimate reason.

The persons entitled to assist or represent the parties are: -a lawyer; -a bailiff; -a member of their family; -as stated in article 83 of law no. 90-85 of 23 January 1990, their cohabiting partner or the person with whom they have entered into a civil solidarity pact; -as stated in article 83 of law no. 90-85 of 23 January 1990, a member or employee of an agricultural professional organisation.

The application shall be made and the matter referred to the court by application delivered to or addressed to the court registry or by a bailiff’s deed addressed to that registry in accordance with the provisions of Articles 54, 56 with the exception of its second and fifth paragraphs, and 57. In all cases, the application must state, even summarily, the grounds on which it is based. Applications subject to…

The court clerk’s office summons the defendant by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, at least fifteen days before the date set by the president of the court. The plaintiff is notified by any means of the place, day and time of the hearing.

On the day indicated, an attempt at conciliation shall be made before the court, of which a record shall be drawn up. The court may delegate the conciliation mission to a court conciliator appointed for this purpose. If one of the parties does not appear, his absence is noted in the minutes.

If conciliation cannot be reached, or if one of the parties fails to appear, the case shall be referred for trial at a hearing, the date of which shall be indicated by the Chairman to the parties present. Parties who have not been notified orally shall be summoned in the manner and within the time limits provided for in Article 886. The summons states that if they fail to appear,…

The titular assessors and, if applicable, their alternates, are summoned by any means at least fifteen days before the hearing date set by the president of the court.