Subtitle I: Public and civil proceedings

Public prosecution for the enforcement of sentences is initiated and exercised by the magistrates or civil servants to whom it is entrusted by law. This action may also be initiated by the injured party, under the conditions determined by the present code. .

A civil action for compensation for damage caused by a felony, misdemeanour or contravention belongs to all those who have personally suffered damage directly caused by the offence. Waiver of the right to bring a civil action may not halt or suspend the prosecution, subject to the cases referred to in paragraph 3 of Article 6.

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years on the date of the events, and that proposes by its articles of association to combat racism or to assist victims of discrimination based on their national, ethnic, racial or religious origin, may exercise the rights granted to civil parties with regard to, on the one hand, discrimination punishable by the articles 225-2 and 432-7 of the Criminal…

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years on the date of the incident, and whose statutory purpose includes combating sexual violence, sexual harassment or violence against a family member, may exercise the rights granted to a civil party in respect of intentional attacks on life and limb, assaults and other sexual attacks, kidnapping and unlawful confinement and home invasion punishable by the articles 221-1 to…

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years on the date of the incident and whose statutory purpose includes defending or assisting children at risk and victims of all forms of abuse may exercise the rights granted to civil parties in respect of intentional attacks on life and limb, assaults and other sexual attacks committed on a minor and offences involving the endangerment of minors punishable…

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years and that proposes, through its articles of association, to combat crimes against humanity or war crimes or to defend the moral interests and honour of the Resistance or deportees may exercise the rights recognised to civil parties in respect of war crimes and crimes against humanity. A foundation recognised as being in the public interest may exercise the…

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years on the date of the events and that proposes, through its articles of association, to defend the moral interests and honour of the Resistance or the deportees may exercise the rights recognised as a civil party with regard to either the glorification of war crimes or the crimes or offences of collaboration with the enemy, or the destruction…

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years at the time of the incident, and that uses its articles of association to combat discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, may exercise the rights granted to civil parties in respect of discrimination punishable by the articles 225-2 and 432-7 of the Criminal Code and the articles L. 1146-1 and L. 1155-2 of the Labour…

In the event of criminal prosecution for arson, legal entities governed by public law may bring a civil action before the court in order to obtain reimbursement, from the convicted party, of the costs they have incurred in fighting the fire.

Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years at the time of the incident and whose purpose, under its articles of association, is to defend or assist sick, disabled or elderly people may exercise the rights granted to civil parties in respect of discrimination punishable under the articles 225-2 and 432-7 of the Penal Code, when they are committed because of the victim’s state of health,…