Deadlines
Understanding the fundamentals of time limits in civil proceedings
By Raphaël MORENON31 March 2025Time is of the essence in all legal proceedings. In the legal arena, time limits structure all civil litigation and regulate the pace of exchanges between the parties. Compliance with them often determines the validity of the documents themselves. What are time limits in civil procedure? A time limit in civil procedure is a limited period during which a legal act must be performed. According to article 1 of the Répertoire de procédure civile on time limits, they "help to give order and certainty to the progress of civil proceedings". These time constraints are the very backbone of our judicial system. Without them, proceedings would drag on indefinitely, compromising all legal certainty. Why impose time limits? Time limits serve a number of essential purposes: ensuring that justice is done within a reasonable time avoiding delaying tactics by the parties ensuring the predictability of the judicial process protecting the rights of the defence For a detailed analysis of the sources and origins of...
Sources of time limits in civil proceedings
Time limits, Civil procedureCivil procedure is based on time limits that structure judicial time and guarantee balanced justice. These time limits come from three distinct sources: the law, the judge and sometimes even agreements between the parties. Accurate knowledge of these time limits is a major challenge for all litigants. Legal time limits...Waiting periods in civil proceedings: a guarantee for the rights of the defence
Time limits, Civil procedureIn the legal system, time is rarely an ally of litigants. However, certain time limits are essential safeguards. Unlike time limits for taking action, which require you to act quickly on pain of foreclosure, time limits for waiting prohibit any initiative until they have elapsed. These "brake periods" allow time for reflection and protect...Time limits for appeals in civil procedure: how not to miss the boat
Time limits, Civil procedureThere is a fundamental rule to be observed when exercising a right of appeal: deadlines must be respected. For an overall understanding of the fundamentals of these time limits, including their definitions and objectives, it is essential to know that a day's delay means a lost opportunity to challenge. Time running out...Reasonable trial time: a fundamental right that is often overlooked
Time limits, Civil procedureWhile awaiting a court decision, time can seem to stretch indefinitely. This feeling is echoed in the famous quotation from La Bruyère: "The duty of judges is to dispense justice; their job is to postpone it". However, the quality of justice is not only measured...News and recent case law on time limits
Time limits, Civil procedureControlling procedural time limits is a strategic factor in any dispute. In recent years, the law governing time limits has undergone considerable change, both through legislative reforms and developments in case law. These changes redefine the time constraints imposed on litigants. The 2019 reform of civil procedure...Time limits on actions in civil proceedings: when time becomes the enemy of the litigant
Time limits, Civil procedureTime limits structure civil litigation. They impose a time frame on litigants and are often a formidable trap for the uninitiated. One day's delay can wipe out years of proceedings. Stoppage of proceedings Definition and conditions Stoppage is a procedural exception that extinguishes proceedings. It sanctions...
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