Procedure Flashcards
Tribunal de Grande Instance
Court of general jurisdiction
Audience
Hearings before the full court - usually brief, focusing on a discussion between litigants
Dossier
File maintained by the Greffe which contains all documents pertaining to a case
Principe de la Contradictoire
“Adversarial Principle’ or “Due Process” which requires that each party should see or hear the others’ facts, arguments, and evidence in enough time for them to be able to counter them and defend themselves
Enquete
The (rare) questioning of a witness during an “audience”; witness must appear on pain of a fine
Moyens de droit
Legal grounds of a claim - Judge may choose the correct legal grounds notwithstanding those put forth by the litigants
Faits Adventices
The facts in a parties’ submission upon which it bases its claim(s)
Amiable Compositeur
When expressly authorized by the litigants, a judge may base a decision on fairness
Equite
Fairness
“Conclusions” of “le parquet”
An intervening prosecutor’s persuasive observations on the correct application of law; may be published in order to explain the rationale of an important decision
Partie Prinicpale
Claimant - a Prosecutor may initiate a case on behalf of the public
Juge du Fond
A judge that analyzes the factual and legal issues at first instance or on appeal
Pourvoi en Cassation
Extraordinary Recourse in which the Cour de Cassation reviews the application of law put forth by a “juge du fond”
Action
Open to all persons who have a legitimate interest in the success or failure of a claim, whether the initial claim or a defense
Interest
pecuniary or moral advantage or prejudice that would result from a certain judgment
ne et actuel
Condition that an interest must be actual and personal in order for a litigant to have standing
droits subjectif
personal rights - can also include collective interests promoted by legally recognized unions and associations
Tribunal d’Instance
Small Claims Court
En Matiere Gracieuse
A case brought before the Tribunal de Grande Instance without a dispute - divorce, adoption
Assignation
Initiates the litigation process before the Tribunal de Grande Instance. Contains:
- Name of clients and lawyers
- “objet” of the claim
- “moyens en fait et en droit”
- The court
- Evidentiary documents
- Notice to the Defendant
“Conclusions” of the parties
Written submissions setting out the “moyens en fait et en droit”
Moyens en fait et en droit
The legal and factual grounds upon which a claim rests
Actes de Procedure
Procedural steps set out by the judge
communication des pieces
Spontaneous exchanging of documents between parties; no court order required
Requete conjointe
Less combative initiation of litigation process where litigants jointly submit the issues upon which they differ
Jugement repute contradictoire
Judgment against a D which is “deemed to be heard on both sides” when D fails to appear; D may appeal
Jugement Contradictoire
(Discretionary) Judgment “heard on both sides” made when either party fails to comply with procedural steps
Radiation
(Discretionary) Removal of a case from a docket when either party fails to comply with procedural steps
Defense au Fond
D disputes a claim on the merits