French Code of Criminal Procedure
In forceWhen the civil action is brought before a criminal court, it is time-barred according to the rules of the public action. When it is brought before a civil court, it is time-barred according to the rules of the Civil Code.
When the public action has been decided, the investigative measures ordered by the criminal court on civil interests alone obey the rules of civil procedure.
Where the criminal court has failed to rule on one or more claims by a civil party who has been duly constituted, the latter may refer the matter back to the court for a ruling on its claim in accordance with articles 710 and 711. The presence of the public prosecutor at this hearing is optional.
When the mental or physical state of a person summoned or referred to a court of first instance makes it permanently impossible for him or her to appear in person under conditions enabling him or her to defend himself or herself and the limitation period for the prosecution is thus suspended, the president of this court may, of his or her own motion or at the request of the public prosecutor or the parties, decide, after ordering an expert report to establish this impossibility, that a public hearing will be held to rule solely on the civil action. The person must then be represented at this hearing by a lawyer.
