Sales are carried out by the auctioneers attached to the establishment as appraisers. They are assisted, where necessary, by auctioneers and clerks chosen and paid by them. Failing this, sales are carried out by the public or ministerial officers competent to carry out public sales under the conditions set out in article 3 of the order of 26 June 1816 which establishes, in execution of the law of 28 April 1816, judicial auctioneers in towns that are the administrative centre of an arrondissement, or that are the seat of a judicial court, and in towns that, having neither a sub-prefecture nor a court, contain a population of five thousand souls or more.