FR / Climate litigation: a new "accelerated and unified" system giving jurisdiction to the ACAs

A new accelerated and unified litigation system for certain environmental projects was created by the decree of 21/04/2026, published in the Journal officiel of 22/04.

The projects concerned must contribute to the following objectives:
• development of low-carbon energies;
• transport infrastructure;
• operations of national interest and major urban planning operations;
• economic and industrial sovereignty;
• and food sovereignty.

Jurisdiction over disputes relating to these projects has been entrusted to the Administrative Courts of Appeal, which must rule at first instance within ten months. The decree also lays down specific rules of litigation procedure to "speed up and secure the handling of such cases".

Previously, the procedure was entrusted to the Administrative Court at first instance; the decree makes it possible to eliminate one level of jurisdiction. "In the event that an Administrative Court stays the proceedings to allow the contested act to be regularised, that court will continue to have jurisdiction at first instance to hear the dispute", the text continues.

It should be…