Chapter II: Personal checks by the judge.

The judge may, in order to verify them himself, in any matter take personal knowledge of the facts in dispute, the parties present or called. He shall make any observations, assessments, evaluations or reconstructions he deems necessary, visiting the scene if necessary.

If he does not proceed immediately, the judge shall fix the place, day and time of the verification; if necessary, he shall appoint a member of the bench to carry it out.

The judge may, in the course of the verification operations, at the hearing or in any other place, be assisted by a technician, hear the parties themselves and any person whose hearing appears to be useful in ascertaining the truth.

Minutes shall be drawn up of the findings, assessments, evaluations, reconstructions or statements. The drafting of the minutes may, however, be replaced by a mention in the judgment if the case is immediately tried at last instance.

The judge who is carrying out another investigative measure may, even if he or she is not a member of the trial panel, carry out such personal checks as may be appropriate in order to carry out that measure.