While acting without a lawyer is sometimes possible, you need to be mindful of the rules of procedure, when you choose to defend yourself alone before a judge. This is recalled by the Court of Cassation in a judgment of 23 September 2020. If you don't have a lawyer, you can't go to court as a professional.
An owner is expropriated for the public good of the property belonging to him. The court shall determine the compensation to be paid to him. The owner appeals and sends his findings electronically.
The findings, if sent within the deadline, were not validly transmitted. That's what the court of appeal is saying. If you don't have a lawyer, you can't send it electronically. It is a secure mode of transmission reserved for lawyers. The non-lawyer party must address the judge by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
The Court of Cassation dismisses the appeal. For her, only a legal professional can guarantee the security of exchanges by electronic means. If representation by counsel is not mandatory, the party who chooses not to be a lawyer is not entitled to the same means of communication.
FYI
since 1er in january 2020, counsel became mandatory in these proceedings.
