Book I: Provisions common to all courts

The decision ruling on the request for a hearing made by the minor is not subject to appeal. The decision ruling on the parties’ request for a hearing is subject to the provisions of Articles 150 and 152.

The court clerk’s office or, where applicable, the person appointed by the judge to hear the minor, sends the latter a summons by ordinary letter with a view to his or her hearing. The summons informs the minor of his or her right to be heard alone, with a lawyer or a person of his or her choice. On the same day, the parties’ defence counsel and, failing that, the…

If the minor asks to be heard with a lawyer and does not choose one himself, the judge shall request, by any means, the appointment of a lawyer by the President of the Bar.

When the hearing is ordered by a panel, the panel may hear the minor itself or appoint one of its members to conduct the hearing and report back to it.

When the judge considers that it is in the child’s best interests to do so, he or she will appoint a person to conduct the hearing, who must have no links either with the minor or with a party. This person must work or have worked in the social, psychological or medical/psychological field. The court registry shall notify the person of his/her assignment without delay and by any means.

If the person responsible for hearing the minor encounters any difficulties, he or she shall refer the matter to the judge without delay.

The arrangements for the hearing may be modified if there are serious reasons preventing the minor from being heard under the conditions initially laid down.

In the interests of the child, a report is made of the hearing. This record is subject to the adversarial process.