French Code of civil procedure

The judge is seised by a summons to a hearing date communicated to the applicant in accordance with the procedures defined by article 751. In a duly justified case of urgency, the family court, on receipt of a petition, may allow a summons to be issued for a hearing date to be set at short notice. In both these cases, the summons must be delivered to the family court. In…

Within fifteen days of the application, the clerk’s office summons the defendant to the hearing by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt. However, where the application states that the defendant’s address is the last known address, the clerk’s office invites the applicant to proceed by way of service. The clerk’s office shall notify the applicant by any means of the place, day and time of the hearing. The summons or…

The parties shall defend themselves; they shall have the option of being assisted or represented by a lawyer. In the case of an application for revision of compensatory allowance, the parties shall be required to constitute a lawyer.

The proceedings are oral. At any time during the proceedings, the parties may expressly give their agreement for the proceedings to proceed without a hearing in accordance with the provisions of article L. 212-5-1 of the Code of Judicial Organisation . In this case, articles 828 and 829 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply. In matters relating to an application for revision of compensatory allowance, the proceedings shall…

Where the request is made on the basis of Article L. 6145-11 of the Public Health Code or article L. 132-7 of the Code de l’action sociale et des familles, any party may also, during the proceedings, set out its case by letter addressed to the judge, provided that it can prove that the opposing party was aware of it before the hearing, by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt….

Where a case has been brought before it by application, the judge may decide, either of his own motion or at the request of a party, that the judgment shall be served by the registry by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

Where the parents seek approval of their agreement pursuant to article 373-2-7 of the Civil Code, the matter shall be referred to the court by joint application. He may not alter the terms of the agreement submitted to him. He shall rule on the application without debate, unless he deems it necessary to hear the parties. If the application is granted, any interested party may refer the matter to the…