Article 1631. Pre-trial session

In a pre-trial session the judge:

1) interviews the plaintiff on the merits of the claims made by him, finds out from him possible objections on the part of the respondent and, if necessary, invites the plaintiff to submit additional evidence, and also explains the right to abandon the stated claims and its legal consequences;

2) interviews the respondent on the circumstances of the case, finds out what objections he has to the plaintiff's claims and with what evidence these objections can be supported, and also explains to the respondent his right to accept the plaintiff's claims or make counterclaims, invites the respondent to submit written explanations on the case. Failure to submit written explanations and evidence by the respondent, as well as his failure to appear at the court session shall not preclude the consideration of the case on the evidence available;

3) ascertains from the parties the possibility of concluding an amicable agreement or alternative methods of resolving a dispute and explains their legal consequences;

4) based on the complexity of the case, determines the projected schedule of the court proceedings, including the time frame for submitting to the court petitions and documents important for resolving the dispute and exchanging witness lists, if any;

5) finds out from the parties present in the session and other interested persons whether they have agreed on the jurisdiction of the court over this case, on the need to perform other actions provided for in article 163 of this Code.

The parties and other interested persons shall be notified of the time and place of the pre-trial session by court summons, registered letters, telephonograms, telegrams and other means of communication that ensure the fixation of the fact of notification.

A minutes shall be drawn up on the pre-trial session held specifying: year, month, day and location of the pre-trial session; the name of the court in which the session on the case was held; surname and initials of the judge and the secretary of the session (assistant or senior assistant to the judge); information about the parties and other interested persons and explanations given to them on the procedural rights and duties; the explanations given by the parties.

In case of failure of the parties to appear, the judge shall take actions specified in parts one and two of article 163 of this Code. In this case, no minutes of the pre-trial session shall be drawn up.