Chapter II: Admissibility of methods of proof

Except where the law provides otherwise, proof may be provided by any means.

A legal act relating to a sum or value exceeding an amount fixed by decree must be proved in writing under private or notarial signature. It may only be proved in addition to or against a writing establishing a legal act, even if the sum or value does not exceed that amount, by another writing under private or notarial signature. A person whose claim exceeds the threshold mentioned in the…

An exception is made to the rules set out in the previous article if it is materially or morally impossible to obtain a writing, if it is customary not to draw up a writing, or if the writing has been lost by force majeure.

It may be substituted for writing by judicial confession, decisive oath or prima facie evidence in writing corroborated by another means of proof.

Prima facie evidence in writing is any writing which, emanating from the person contesting an act or from the person he represents, renders probable what is alleged. The judge may consider as equivalent to prima facie evidence in writing statements made by a party at his personal appearance, his refusal to reply or his absence at the appearance. The mention of an authentic writing or under private signature in a…