Code of Canon Law: text (original) (raw)

CHAPTER V : THOSE WHO MAY BE ADMITTED TO THE COURT AND THE MANNER OF COMPILING ANDPRESERVING THE ACTS

Can.1470 §1 Unless particular law prescribes otherwise, when cases are being heardbefore the tribunal, only those persons are to be present whom the law or thejudge decides are necessary for the hearing of the case.

§2 Thejudge can with appropriate penalties take to task all who, while present at atrial, are gravely lacking in the reverence and obedience due to the tribunal. He can, moreover, suspend advocates and procurators from exercising theiroffice in ecclesiastical tribunals.

Can.1471 If a person to be interrogated uses a language unknown to the judge or theparties, an interpreter, appointed by the judge and duly sworn, can be employedin the case. Declarations are to be committed to writing in the original language, and a translation is to be added. An interpreter is also to be used if a deaf and dumb person must be interrogated, unless the judge prefers thatreplies to the questions he has asked be given in writing.

Can.1472 §1 Judicial acts must be in writing, both those which refer to the meritsof the case, that is, the acts of the case, and those which refer to theprocedure, that is, the procedural acts.

§2 Eachpage of the acts is to be numbered and bear a seal of authenticity.

Can.1473 Whenever the signature of parties or witnesses is required in judicial acts, and the party or witness is unable or unwilling to sign, this is to benoted in the acts. At the same time the judge and the notary are to certifythat the act was read verbatim to the party or witness, and that the party orwitness was either unable or unwilling to sign.

Can.1474 §1 In the case of an appeal, a copy of the acts is to be sent to thehigher tribunal, with a certification by the notary of its authenticity.

§2 If theacts are in a language unknown to the higher tribunal, they are to betranslated into another language known to it. Suitable precautions are to betaken to ensure that the translation is accurate.

Can.1475 §1 When the trial has been completed, documents which belong to private individuals must be returned to them, though a copy of them is to be retained.

§2 Without an order from the judge, notaries and the chancellor are forbidden to hand over to anyone a copy of the judicial acts and documents obtained in the process.