Chapter IV: Examination of appeals and hearings

The rules concerning the publicity, police and discipline of hearings must be observed before the Cour de cassation.

Reports are made at the hearing. The parties’ lawyers are heard in their observations after the report, if applicable. The public prosecutor presents his closing arguments.

In the deliberations of the court, opinions are collected by the president, following the order of appointment, beginning with the most senior councillor. The rapporteur always opines first and the president last.

The judgments of the Court of Cassation in criminal cases shall mention the names of the president, the rapporteur, the other judges who delivered them, the Advocate General and the lawyers who appeared in the proceedings and, in addition, the surnames, forenames, occupations and domiciles of the parties and the pleas put forward.

The Court of Cassation, in any criminal, correctional or police case, may rule on the appeal immediately after the expiry of a period of ten days from receipt of the case file. It must rule as a matter of urgency and as a matter of priority and, in any event, before the expiry of a period of three months from receipt of the case file when the appeal is lodged…