Title IV. The Parties in a Case(Cann. 1476 - 1490)

CHAPTER I. The Petitioner and the Respondent

Can. 1476 Anyone, whether baptized or not, can bring action in a trial; however, a party legitimately summoned

must respond.

Can. 1477 Even if the petitioner or respondent has appointed a procurator or advocate, they themselves are

nevertheless always bound to be present at the trial according to the prescript of the law or of the judge.

Can. 1478 §1. Minors and those who lack the use of reason can stand trial only through their parents, guardians,

or curators, without prejudice to the prescript of §3.

§2. If the judge thinks that the rights of minors are in conflict with the rights of the parents, guardians, or

curators or that the latter cannot adequately protect the rights of the former, then the minors are to stand trial

through a guardian or curator appointed by the judge.

§3. Nevertheless, in spiritual cases and those connected with spiritual matters, if the minors have attained the

use of reason, they can petition and respond without the consent of their parents or guardian. They can do so

personally if they have completed their fourteenth year of age; otherwise, they do so through the curator appointed

by the judge.

§4. Those deprived of the administration of goods and those of diminished mental capacity can stand trial

personally only to answer for their own delicts or at the order of the judge; otherwise, they must petition and respond

through their curators.

Can. 1479 Whenever a guardian or curator appointed by civil authority is present, the ecclesiastical judge can admit

the guardian or curator after having heard, if possible, the diocesan bishop of the person to whom the guardian or

curator was given; if the guardian or curator is not present or does not seem admissible, the judge will appoint a

guardian or curator for the case.

Can. 1480 §1. Juridic persons stand trial through their legitimate representatives.

§2. In a case of the lack of or negligence of the representative, however, the ordinary himself can stand trial

personally or through another in the name of juridic persons subject to his authority.