AIMS
Often faced with business disputes of a highly technical nature, commercial court judges have a duty, like any other judge, to know the law they are applying and to perfect their practices. Their training at the ENM must therefore provide them with knowledge of the fundamental principles of justice: the role of the judge, principles of impartiality, general and professional ethics and compliance with procedures. As they are called upon to administer justice in the commercial courts, they are obliged to master some complex legal techniques. Initial and in-service training provided is intended to enable them to fulfil their duties in optimum fashion and to harmonise professional practice.
TRAINING
Initial training – 6 modules over 8 days
The initial training course is mandatory for all newly-elected judges. Consisting of 6 modules lasting 1 or 2 days, the course is held every year starting in November on regional sites covering several courts of appeal. The trainers are mixed teams of commercial court and professional judges. Commercial court judges must have completed their training within 20 months of being elected.
In-service training courses – 1 to 2 days
Commercial court judges must complete 2 days of mandatory in-service training every year. They can freely choose a session from among those organised by the ENM. The courses available cover all the types of cases dealt with by commercial court judges, both general business disputes and the handling of companies in difficulties.
Run by the ENM, these courses may either be specially for commercial court judges or they may also be open to professional judges and even other participants. They take place in Paris or in the regions.
Practical internships officially validated as in-service training are also organised in the commercial divisions of the courts of appeal and with the commercial, financial and economic division of the Court of Cassation.