Civil Procedure and Evidence
Jurisdiction and Case Flow
Study the rules on subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction, the requirements of a valid statement of claim, service of process, and the defendant's response. Understand the stages: filing, exchange of pleadings, expert reports, hearing, judgment, and appeal. Know the time limits for appeal and cassation.
Evidence
Master the rules on burden of proof (the claimant proves its case), admissible evidence, documentary evidence, witness testimony, expert evidence, and confession. Understand the role of court-appointed experts and the limits on challenging their reports. Know the rules on electronic evidence and the weight given to official documents.
Provisional Measures
Understand attachment, interim injunctions, and the conditions for granting them (urgency, prima facie case, irreparable harm).
Traps
Frequent traps: confusing appeal and cassation timelines; assuming a court-appointed expert's report is binding (it is advisory); and overlooking that jurisdiction objections must be raised early. Another trap is the treatment of foreign judgments - enforcement requires recognition under the applicable rules, not automatic effect.
Rule of thumb
For evidence questions, start with who bears the burden. The party asserting a fact must prove it; the other side need only raise reasonable doubt about that proof.