French Code of civil procedure
In forceExcept where the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 781, the Pre-Trial Judge shall declare the investigation closed as soon as the state of the investigation permits and shall refer the case back to the court to be argued on the date set by the President or by himself if he has been delegated to do so. The date of closure must be as close as possible to the date set for oral argument.
If he considers it necessary for the preparation of his report for the oral hearing, the Pre-Trial Judge may ask the lawyers to deposit their file, including in particular the exhibits produced, at the registry on the date he determines.
The President or the Pre-Trial Judge, if he has been delegated to do so, may also, at the request of the lawyers, and with the agreement, where applicable, of the Public Prosecutor, authorise the filing of the files at the registry of the chamber on a date that he fixes, when it appears to him that the case does not require oral argument.
Where the parties have given their agreement for the proceedings to proceed without a hearing in accordance with the provisions of article L. 212-5-1 of the Code de l'organisation judiciaire, the Pre-Trial Judge declares the proceedings closed as soon as the state of the case allows and sets a date for the files to be lodged at the chamber registry. The court clerk notifies the parties and, where applicable, the public prosecutor.
The Pre-Trial Judge remains seised of the case until the opening of the hearings or until the date set for the filing of the lawyers' files.
