Introduction

Proceedings with mandatory representation

Proceedings without mandatory representation

Contentious matters

Scope

Proceedings

Non-contentious matters

Proceedings before full bench

Interim orders

Orders on ex parte application (sur requête)

Powers of the First president

3. Proceedings before the Court of Appeal

The fixed-date procedure is a fast-track procedure that can be held before the Court of Appeal in disputes subject to ordinary written procedure. While it is required in cases of urgency (Art. 917 CPC), the fixed-date procedure is also mandated in insolvency proceedings for the appeal of judgments approving or rejecting the transfer plan (Art. R. 661-6, 2° Commercial Code)  or in civil enforcement proceedings for the appeal of the procedural ruling (Art. R. 322-19 CPCE) .

The fixed-date procedure may also take place when the immediate appeal of the decision ordering the expert assessment (Art. 272 CPC) or the decision to stay the proceedings (Art. 380 CPC) is authorized by the first president. Finally, case law considers that the appeal of a judgment ruling on competence falls under the fixed-date procedure .

The Commercial Chamber of the Court of Cassation defines the fixed-date appeal procedure as a mere procedural modality of the appeal, allowing the appellant or the respondent to have the first president set, under certain conditions, the day on which the case will be called by priority before the chamber he designates .

Cass. com., 14 May 1996, LawLex202400000371JBJ.

Cass. 2e civ., 19 March 2015, LawLex202300005000JBJ.

Cass. 2e civ., 11 July 2019, LawLex202200006955JBJ: It follows from Articles 83, 84, and 85 of the Code of Civil Procedure that, notwithstanding any contrary provision, an appeal against the decision of any first-instance court ruling on jurisdiction without ruling on the merits of the dispute falls, when the parties are required to instruct counsel, under the fixed-date procedure, and in such case, the appellant must, within the appeal period and on pain of the lapse of the notice of appeal, apply to the first president of the Court of Appeal to be authorized to summon the respondent to a fixed date; 22 October 2020, LawLex202200006958JBJ

26. Fixed-date procedure