A: General rules

The rates fixed by this title, with regard to the costs of expert appraisals, shall be applied on the basis of the residence of the experts. The costs of drafting and filing the report and, where applicable, of taking the oath are included in the compensation set by these rates. No compensation is awarded for the swearing-in of the expert before the Court of Appeal when he is first registered…

When the estimated amount of his costs and fees exceeds 460 euros, the appointed expert must, before commencing his work, inform the court that commissioned him. Except in emergencies, this estimate is communicated to the public prosecutor, who submits his observations within five days, after having had any necessary verifications carried out on the elements of the estimate presented by the expert. If its observations are not taken into account,…

Prices for tariffed or non-tariffed operations may be reduced in the event of delay in completing the assignment or inadequacy of the report. If the work has to be redone, all remuneration may be refused.

When the experts travel, they are allocated, on justification, a transport allowance calculated under the conditions set for travel by civil servants of the State.

A daily subsistence allowance will be paid to experts who travel, calculated in accordance with the regulations governing the travel expenses of civil servants. .

When experts are heard, either before courts or tribunals, or before investigating magistrates in connection with the assignment entrusted to them, they shall be awarded, in addition to their travel and subsistence expenses if applicable, an allowance determined by the following formula: I = 3.05 euros + (S × 4), where S is the minimum interprofessional growth wage as fixed on 1st January of the current year. When the hearing…

When the experts justify that they were unable to carry out their mission due to circumstances beyond their control, the instructing magistrates may, by reasoned decision submitted for the approval of the president of the investigating chamber, award them compensation, in addition to their travel, subsistence and other out-of-pocket expenses if applicable.

Experts are entitled, on production of supporting documents, to reimbursement of the cost of transporting exhibits and of any other outlays recognised as indispensable.

The instructing magistrates may authorise the experts to receive advance payments during the proceedings either when they have carried out work of exceptional importance, or when they have been required to make expensive transport or personal advances. However, the total amount of the instalments may not exceed half of the estimated costs and fees.