Fines, complaints and courts · French law
Default civil judgment in France: the opposition route
Informational guide. An independent qualified legal review has not been completed.
Where available, opposition allows the court that gave a default civil judgment to rehear the case. Missing the hearing alone is not enough: check the judgment's classification and remedy. Contradictory judgments, appeals and opposition to payment orders use other frameworks. Keep the judgment and notification before determining the applicable filing method, time period and representation.
Julie by AlphaDeep
Are default and deemed-contradictory judgments the same?
No. Classifications and remedies can differ. Absence from the hearing does not make them equivalent.
Read the references3 free questions at signup. Avoid names and sensitive information.
What you leave withA reading of classifications and documents distinguishing ordinary opposition, appeal and special procedures.
Start with the practical sectionWhich judgment labels identify the remedy?
Read the judgment’s labels: default, contradictory or deemed contradictory, court and appeal status. Article 571 opens opposition to the defaulting party to retract a default judgment. Physical absence alone therefore does not identify the remedy.
- Written decision classification.
- Appeal status and remedy information.
- Notification act and summons records.
References : Faire opposition à une décision de justice civile ou pénale | Service Public · Code de procédure civile, article 571 · Code de procédure civile, article 476
Is absence from the hearing enough for opposition?
A judgment can be deemed contradictory although the defendant did not appear, under the relevant conditions. Examine summons, notification and classification. Article 476 permits opposition to a default judgment unless expressly excluded; it does not cover every decision made in your absence.
References : Code de procédure civile, article 571 · Code de procédure civile, article 476
Which remedies must be distinguished?
Distinguish procedures before drafting. General civil opposition, appeal and opposition to a payment order do not use interchangeable forms. Third-party opposition concerns another status and framework.
| Situation | Remedy question | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Civil default judgment | Defaulting party’s opposition | Verify exclusions and conditions |
| Deemed contradictory | Stated route and possible appeal | Absence alone insufficient |
| Payment order | Dedicated opposition procedure | Do not transpose this guide |
| Nonparty | Remedy appropriate to status | Not automatically defaulting-party opposition |
References : Faire opposition à une décision de justice civile ou pénale | Service Public · Code de procédure civile, article 571 · Code de procédure civile, article 476
What does deemed contradictory mean?
The fictional judgment is labelled deemed contradictory. The absent person must have remedy and notification checked. Renaming the decision in a letter does not create admissible opposition.
Fictional example: someone absent from a hearing receives a deemed-contradictory judgment. Absence alone does not make it a default judgment; classification and the file must be examined before selecting a remedy.
References : Code de procédure civile, article 571
Which documents determine notification and representation?
Reconcile complete decision, notification, summons and any representation. CPC 538 distinguishes, among other rules, one month for contentious and fifteen days for noncontentious ordinary remedies, with special frameworks still to examine. Do not turn fifteen days into a universal civil period.
References : Faire opposition à une décision de justice civile ou pénale | Service Public · Code de procédure civile, article 538
How do you prepare the relevant court's pack?
Prepare decision references, party status, grounds and evidence for the relevant court. Promptly check procedural form and required representation. Preparation certifies neither admissibility nor final day and is not a filed remedy.
References : Faire opposition à une décision de justice civile ou pénale | Service Public · Code de procédure civile, article 571 · Code de procédure civile, article 476 · Code de procédure civile, article 538
What else should you check?
Are default and deemed-contradictory judgments the same?
No. Classifications and remedies can differ. Absence from the hearing does not make them equivalent.
Does payment-order opposition use this general procedure?
No. Payment orders have their own procedure and guide. Do not transpose acts and periods from general civil opposition.
Can a nonparty act like an absent defendant?
A third party is not automatically the defaulting party in CPC 571. Status and remedy need separate examination.
Does a fifteen-day period apply to every civil decision?
No. CPC 538 distinguishes contentious and noncontentious cases without removing special rules. Have the exact decision checked.
Does preparation guarantee admissibility?
No. Classification, status, notification, timing and form still require examination. A draft pack is not a filed remedy.
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.
- Faire opposition à une décision de justice civile ou pénale | Service PublicSource checked :
- Code de procédure civile, article 571Source checked : · Version from 1976-01-01
- Code de procédure civile, article 476Source checked : · Version from 1976-01-01
- Code de procédure civile, article 538Source checked : · Version from 1976-01-01