French Code of civil procedure
In forceUnless otherwise provided, where it is provided by law or regulation that a decision is to be taken under the accelerated procedure on the merits, the application shall be lodged, investigated and judged under the following conditions:
1° The application shall be brought by way of a summons to a hearing held on the day and at the time set for that purpose;
2° The court shall be seised of the matter by delivering a copy of the summons to the court registry before the date set for the hearing, failing which the summons shall lapse automatically by order of the court, or, failing that, at the request of a party ;
3° On the day of the hearing, the judge shall ensure that sufficient time has elapsed since the summons was issued to allow the party summoned to prepare his defence. The procedure is oral;
4° The judge may refer the case back to the panel for a hearing, the date of which he or she fixes, which will rule on the merits using the accelerated procedure;
5° Exceptionally, in cases of manifest urgency, in particular due to a time limit imposed by law or regulation, the president of the court, ruling on a motion, may authorise a summons to be served at a time that he shall specify, even on public holidays or non-working days;
6° The judgment shall be enforceable as of right on a provisional basis under the conditions provided for in Articles 514-1 to 514-6;
7° The judge's decision may be appealed against unless it is issued by the first president of the court of appeal or unless it was given at last instance due to the amount or subject matter of the claim.
The time limit for appeal or objection is fifteen days.
