Code of Civil Procedure

A party may file a request with the court seeking a trial and judicial decision through court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration ;provided, however, this does not apply to the actions stated in the following:

an action involving a consumer contract; and

an action involving a civil dispute over an individual labor relationship.

If both parties to the case make the request referred to in the preceding paragraph, the court must rule that it will try the action and reach a judicial decision through court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration, unless the court finds that doing this would be inequitable to either party or prevent a fair trial, in consideration of the nature of the case, the degree of burden that the parties would have to bear in conducting the litigation, and other circumstances. The same applies if one of the parties makes the request under that paragraph and the adverse party agrees to a trial and judicial decision through court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration.

A party must make the request under paragraph (1) or give their agreement under the second sentence of the preceding paragraph using a paper document; provided, however, that this does not preclude them from making an oral request or agreeing orally on a date for oral arguments or preparatory proceedings.

If an action is transferred to court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration, the dates designated for regular proceedings are deemed to have been designated for the purpose of expedited civil proceedings.

When a ruling under paragraph (2) of the preceding Article is made, the presiding judge must designate a date for oral arguments or preparatory proceedings that is within two weeks after the date of ruling.

On the court date referred to in the preceding paragraph, the presiding judge must designate a date for concluding oral arguments in the case that is within six months after the current court date, and must designate a court date for rendering the judgment that is within one month after the date on which oral arguments are concluded.

If a ruling as referred to in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article has been made, the parties must submit allegations and evidence within five months from the court date specified in paragraph (1) (or within the shorter period that the court designates after hearing the opinions of both parties, if applicable).

The court is to confirm with both parties which matters will be decided in the judgment in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration, based on the results of the arrangement of issues and evidence, before the expiration of the period referred to in the preceding paragraph.

The examination of evidence in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration must be conducted within six months from the court date referred to in paragraph (1) (or within the shorter period that the court designates after hearing the opinions of both parties, if applicable).

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 93, paragraph (3), the court may not permit a change of court dates in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration unless there is a compelling reason.

In the following cases, the court must issue a ruling that the action will be tried and a judicial decision will be reached through ordinary proceedings:

if one or both parties enter a statement requesting that the case be transferred to ordinary proceedings; or

if the court finds that it will be difficult to try the action or reach a judicial decision through court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration in light of the allegations and evidence submitted and the status of the trial.

No appeal may be entered against the ruling stated in the preceding paragraph.

If a case is transferred to ordinary proceedings, the dates designated for court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration must be deemed to have been designated for the purpose of ordinary litigation proceedings.

In an electronic judgment in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration, the important points of the prayer for relief and the statement of the claims as well as other allegations and evidence must be recorded as the facts, and the details of the determination concerning the matters confirmed with both parties pursuant to the provisions of Article 381-3, paragraph (4) must be recorded as the grounds.

It is not permissible to appeal to the court of second instance against the final judgment in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration; provided, however, that this does not apply to a judgment denying an action.

A party may file an objection to the final judgment in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration, other than a judgment denying the action, with the court that has entered that judgment, within an inalterable time frame of two weeks after the day on which the electronic judgment is served; provided, however, that this does not preclude the validity of an objection filed prior to that time.

The provisions of Article 358 through Article 360 as well as Article 364 apply mutatis mutandis to the objection under the preceding paragraph.

If a lawful objection is filed, litigation returns to the stage it was at before the conclusion of oral arguments. In such a case, the trial is conducted and the judicial decision is reached through ordinary proceedings.

An objection under the preceding paragraph has the effect of a stay of enforcement.

The court may stay the enforcement of the final judgment in court proceedings in a trial with a statutory-limited duration or reach any other necessary disposition until a judgment has been reached after the filing of an objection.

The provisions of Article 362 and Article 363 apply mutatis mutandis to a trial and judicial decision under paragraph (1).