Section 2: Pre-trial proceedings before the Pre-Trial Judge

The case is heard under the supervision of a judge of the chamber to which the case is referred or to which it has been assigned. This judge is responsible for ensuring that the proceedings are conducted fairly, in particular that the pleadings are exchanged and the exhibits communicated on time. He may hear the lawyers and give them any useful information. It may also, if necessary, issue injunctions. It…

The Pre-Trial Judge shall set, as and when required, the time limits necessary for the hearing of the case, having regard to the nature, urgency and complexity of the case, and after seeking the opinion of the lawyers. He may grant extensions of time. He may, after obtaining the opinion of the lawyers, set a timetable for the preparation of the case. The timetable shall include the foreseeable number and…

The Pre-Trial Judge may invite the lawyers to respond to the pleas in law on which they have not reached a conclusion, to provide the explanations of fact and law necessary for the resolution of the dispute and, where appropriate, to bring their pleadings into line with the provisions of Article 768. He may be provided with the originals of documents submitted to the court or request that copies be…

The Pre-Trial Judge shall proceed with the joinder and severance of proceedings.

The pre-trial judge may, even of his own motion, hear the parties. The parties shall be heard by both parties unless one of them, duly summoned, fails to appear.

The Pre-Trial Judge may declare that the parties have conciliated, even partially. The Pre-Trial Judge may appoint a mediator under the conditions of Article 131-1. He shall, at the request of the parties, homologate the agreement that they submit to him. The Pre-Trial Judge may also decide that the parties shall be summoned to an amicable settlement hearing in accordance with the procedures set out in articles 774-1 to 774-4.

The pre-trial judge may invite the parties to call all interested parties whose presence he deems necessary for the resolution of the dispute.

The pre-trial judge declares the proceedings terminated.

The Pre-Trial Judge shall exercise all powers necessary for the communication, obtaining and production of documents.

Where the application is made after his appointment, the Pre-Trial Judge shall, until he relinquishes jurisdiction, have sole jurisdiction, to the exclusion of any other formation of the court, to: 1° Rule on procedural objections, applications made pursuant to Article 47 and incidents putting an end to the proceedings; The parties are no longer entitled to raise these exceptions and incidents at a later date unless they arise or are…