324. For the benefit of the parties, the judgment on the merits in first instance must be rendered within(1) six months after the matter is taken under advisement in contentious proceedings;
(2) four months after the matter is taken under advisement in small claims matters under Title II of Book VI;
(3) two months after the matter is taken under advisement in child custody or child support matters and non-contentious cases;
(4) two months after the matter is taken under advisement if the judgment is to determine whether a judicial application is abusive; and
(5) one month after the case is ready for judgment if a judgment is to be rendered following the defendant’s failure to answer the summons, attend the case management conference or defend on the merits.
The time limit is two months after the matter is taken under advisement in the case of a judgment in the course of a proceeding, but one month after the court is seized when it is to rule on an objection raised during a pre-trial examination and pertaining to the fact that a witness cannot be compelled, to fundamental rights or to an issue raising a substantial and legitimate interest.
The death of a party or its lawyer cannot operate to delay judgment in a matter taken under advisement.
If the advisement period has expired, the chief justice or chief judge, on their own initiative or on a party’s application, may extend it or remove the judge from the case.