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Taking Evidence in France in Civil and Commercial Matters

Since October 1974, The Hague Convention of 1970 on Taking of evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters has been in force in France. Arrangements to take evidence in France for use in civil cases before courts in the United States must therefore be made in accordance with the general provisions of that convention and, be subject to certain specific provisions established by the French Government.

The Convention provides three means to take evidence:

  1. Deposition before a local judicial authority by means of letters rogatory (letters of request)
  2. Deposition before a diplomatic or consular officer
  3. Deposition before a person commissioned by the court