French Code of civil procedure

At any time during the proceedings, the parties may expressly agree to the proceedings being conducted without a hearing in accordance with the provisions of article L. 212-5-1 of the Code of Judicial Organisation. In this case, the judge organises exchanges between the parties. The parties set out their claims and arguments in writing. Communication between them is made by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by notification between…

When made during the course of proceedings, the declaration by which each of the parties consents to the proceedings being conducted without a hearing shall be delivered or sent to the court registry and shall include, on pain of nullity: 1° For natural persons: an indication of the surname, first names, profession, place of residence, nationality, date and place of birth; For legal persons: an indication of the name, first…

If no conciliation is established at the hearing, the case shall be heard immediately or, if it is not in a fit state to be heard, postponed to a later hearing. In this case, the Registrar shall notify by any means the parties who have not been notified orally of the date of the hearing.

The judge may, in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 446-1, exempt a party who so requests from attending a subsequent hearing. In this case, the judge organises exchanges between the parties. Communication between the parties shall be made by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by notification between lawyers, and proof of this shall be provided to the judge within the time limit that he or she…