Chapter III: Personal appearance of the parties.

Minutes shall be taken of the parties’ statements, their absence or their refusal to reply. The drawing up of the minutes may, however, be replaced by a mention in the judgment if the case is immediately decided at last instance.

The parties questioned sign the minutes, after reading them, or certify them as true to their statements, in which case a note to this effect is made in the minutes. Where appropriate, it shall be stated in the minutes that the parties refuse to sign or certify it as true. The minutes are also dated and signed by the judge and, if applicable, by the court clerk.

If one of the parties is unable to appear, the judge who ordered the appearance or the judge appointed by the bench to which he belongs may go to that party after, if appropriate, summoning the opposing party.

The judge may summon minors and protected adults subject to the rules relating to the capacity of persons and the taking of evidence, as well as their legal representatives or those assisting them. He may summon legal entities, including public bodies and public establishments, in the person of their qualified representatives. He may also summon any member or agent of a legal entity to be questioned both about facts that…

The judge may draw any legal conclusions from the declarations of the parties, or from the absence or refusal of one of them to reply, and may refer to them as equivalent to a prima facie case in writing.