Fines, complaints and courts · French law
French civil astreinte: prepare the liquidation request
A French civil astreinte encourages performance of an obligation and is separate from damages. Multiplying its rate by a period does not automatically establish the amount due. Liquidation depends on the order, effective date, provisional or definitive nature, and rules addressing execution difficulties. Keep nominal arithmetic, evidence and the application to the competent judge separate rather than presenting a calculator as a court award.
Informational guide. An independent qualified legal review has not been completed.
What you leave withA nominal calculation tied to the order and execution evidence.
Start with the practical sectionJulie by AlphaDeep
Is an astreinte the same as damages?
No. An astreinte is independent of damages. It seeks performance; its product does not replace loss assessment.
Read the referencesReviewing an astreinte order? We can extract the obligation, rate and units while keeping nominal arithmetic separate from liquidation.
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Which obligation does the astreinte seek to enforce?
An astreinte seeks performance of an obligation fixed by a decision. It is independent of damages; the rate does not automatically measure loss.
Start with the order’s operative terms: who must do what, from which event and within what limits? A formula copied into a letter does not replace the decision.
- Obligation
- Exact operative wording
- Person concerned
- Identified obligated party
- Start
- Prescribed event and conditions
- Rate and unit
- Ordered amount per day or other unit
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-1 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2
Is the penalty provisional or definitive?
An astreinte is provisional unless the judge specifies definitive character. A definitive one requires, among its conditions, an earlier provisional astreinte and a duration fixed by the judge.
Do not call it definitive merely because the judgment is final. Astreinte character and judgment appeals are different questions.
| Point | Provisional | Definitive |
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Default unless specified | Check conditions and wording |
| Liquidation | Conduct and difficulties considered | Rate not modifiable on liquidation within its framework |
| External cause | Possible full or partial removal under the text | The same separate external-cause issue |
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2
Which judge can liquidate it in this case?
The enforcement judge normally liquidates an astreinte, including a definitive one, except where the ordering judge remains seized or expressly retained liquidation.
Identify the decision and procedural position first. The rate-setting court is not automatically the correct recipient in every case.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-3 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-2
Which effective date and units does the order specify?
The judge fixes the effective date within statutory conditions. It cannot be reconstructed solely from reading a judgment or receiving a letter.
Extract unit, period, prior interval and enforceability details. The worksheet takes already-identified units rather than calculating a legal starting date.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1
How can a nominal reference be calculated without stating a debt?
The nominal product uses rate and units already read from the decision. It is not a payable amount and does not assess partial performance.
Use units consistent with the order. An unknown period should not become estimated days merely to produce money.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1
Do eight days at fifty euros already create €400 payable?
Eight stated days at €50 produce a €400 nominal reference in the fictional case. That does not establish an existing payment-enforcement title.
Liquidation requires reconciling decision, performance and relevant evidence. The same product can accompany difficulties or an external cause needing examination.
Fictional order at €50 per day across eight stated days in the relevant period gives a €400 nominal product. Liquidation can depend on further matters; this reference establishes neither an enforceable debt nor a payment decision.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1
Which difficulties and evidence must remain visible?
Provisional liquidation considers the obligated person’s conduct and execution difficulties. An established external cause can justify full or partial removal under statutory conditions.
Keep requests, replies, interventions and performance evidence. An alleged obstacle is not automatically a legally recognised external cause.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4
How should the application and exhibits be prepared with a professional?
Useful preparation combines the decision and factual chronology rather than presenting a counter as a liquidation judgment. A professional can examine authority and records before application.
- Complete decision and astreinte terms.
- Effective-date and enforceability evidence.
- Performance, delay or difficulty evidence.
- Nominal calculation separated from requested and judicially decided amounts.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-3 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-2
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What else should you check?
Is an astreinte the same as damages?
No. An astreinte is independent of damages. It seeks performance; its product does not replace loss assessment.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-1 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2
Can the judge consider difficulties in performing the obligation?
Yes, particularly for provisional liquidation under the text. Document conduct and difficulties rather than deriving the amount solely from a counter.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4
Does a definitive penalty work without an earlier provisional one?
Definitive astreinte has Article L131-2 conditions, including an earlier provisional astreinte and fixed duration. Read its label with those conditions.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2
Can an external cause change the assessment?
Yes. An established external cause can justify full or partial removal within the framework. Not every outside event automatically qualifies.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4
Does the counter decide when the penalty starts?
No. Effective date follows the decision and applicable rules. The tool uses already-identified units without establishing their start.
References : Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4 · Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1
Which sources support this page?
Official texts remain in French. The explanations above describe French law. A source check records a reading date; it is not qualified legal review.
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-1Source checked : · Version from 2012-06-01
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-2Source checked : · Version from 2012-06-01
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-3Source checked : · Version from 2012-06-01
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article L131-4Source checked : · Version from 2012-06-01
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-1Source checked : · Version from 2012-06-01
- Code des procédures civiles d’exécution · article R131-2Source checked : · Version from 2017-09-01