Article 381-2Requirements for Court Proceedings in a Trial with a Statutory-Limited Duration
第三百八十一条の二（法定審理期間訴訟手続の要件）
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:
当事者は、裁判所に対し、法定審理期間訴訟手続による審理及び裁判を求める旨の申出をすることができる。ただし、次に掲げる訴えに関しては、この限りでない。
an action involving a consumer contract; and
消費者契約に関する訴え
an action involving a civil dispute over an individual labor relationship.
個別労働関係民事紛争に関する訴え
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.
訴訟が法定審理期間訴訟手続に移行したときは、通常の手続のために既に指定した期日は、法定審理期間訴訟手続のために指定したものとみなす。