Chapter I: Jurisdiction by reason of subject matter.

The industrial tribunal (Conseil de prud’hommes) settles, through conciliation, disputes that may arise in connection with any employment contract subject to the provisions of this code between employers, or their representatives, and the employees they employ. It rules on disputes where conciliation has failed.

The industrial tribunal (Conseil de prud’hommes) settles disputes involving public service employees who are employed under private law.

The industrial tribunal settles disputes arising between employees in the course of their work.

The Industrial Tribunal shall have sole jurisdiction, irrespective of the amount of the claim, to hear the disputes referred to in this chapter. Any agreement to the contrary is deemed unwritten. The industrial tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear disputes assigned to another court by law, in particular by the Social Security Code in matters relating to accidents at work and occupational illnesses.

The industrial tribunal gives its opinion on questions put to it by the administrative authority.

Where a body usually takes the place of the employer’s legal obligations, it may be called into question alongside the employer in the event of a dispute between the employer and the employees it employs.