Part I: General principles This part of the code (articles 1–57) contains general provisions regarding the
adjudication of cases and the value of
judgments and
rulings.
Part II: Judicial organization This part of the code (articles 58–555/16) consists of six 'books': •
Book I: Bodies of the judiciary (articles 58–287novies) establishes the bodies that constitute the judiciary, and governs the appointment and career of
judicial officers and court personnel; •
Book II: Judicial offices (articles 288–427quater) governs the duties, the
remuneration and the retirement of judicial officers and court personnel, as well as disciplinary procedures regarding their offices and professions; •
Book III: Bar (articles 428–508) governs the practice of the profession of
attorney, and establishes their professional bodies; •
Book IIIbis: First-line and second-line legal aid (articles 508/1–508/25) regulates the provision of first-line and second-line
legal aid; •
Book IV: Court bailiffs (articles 509–555quinquies) governs the practice of the office of
court bailiff, and establishes their professional bodies; •
Book V: Court experts and sworn translators, interpreters and translator-interpreters (articles 555/6–555/16) governs the practice of the professions of
court expert,
translator,
interpreter and translator-interpreter.
Part III: Competence This part of the code (articles 556–663) lays down the jurisdiction of each of the courts and tribunals, and the procedures to settle jurisdictional conflicts between them.
Part IV: Civil procedure This part of the code (articles 664–1385octiesdecies) consists of four 'books': •
Book I: Legal aid (articles 664–699ter) regulates the provision of legal aid; •
Book II: Proceedings (articles 700–1041) governs the manner in which
actions ought to be brought and adjudicated, and the applicable rules of
evidence; •
Book III: Means of recourse (articles 1042–1147bis) establishes the legal remedies against judgments and rulings (including opposition,
appeal, appeal in cassation, third-party opposition, retraction and
judicial misconduct proceedings); •
Book IV: Particular procedures (articles 1148–1385octiesdecies) establishes a number of procedures for specific cases (including amongst other things:
surveys,
court auctions,
probate proceedings,
adoptions, deferral of payment,
tenancy matters, ...).
Part V: Provisional seizures, means of execution and collective debt settlement This part of the code (articles 1386–1675/27) governs the manner in which to conduct
sequestrations,
seizures and
attachments of property, lays down the procedures for
collective debt settlements, and establishes central registers for seizure and debt settlement records.
Part VI: Arbitration This part of the code (articles 1676–1723/1) governs the practice and conduct of out-of-court
arbitration proceedings, as well as the value of and means of recourse against
arbitral awards.
Part VII: Mediation This part of the code (articles 1724–1737) governs the practice and conduct of both court-ordered and out-of-court
mediation, as well as the value of
settlements.
Part VIII: Collaborative law This part of the code (articles 1738–1747) governs the practice and conduct of
collaborative law.
Annex: Territorial boundaries and seats of courts and tribunals This annex to the code (articles 1–6) prescribes the territorial boundaries of the judicial
cantons,
arrondissements ("districts") and areas, as well as the
seat of the courts and tribunals of these territories. == References ==