BERNARD JUDGMENT OF 23 APRIL 1998 8 B. Preparation of expert reports 22. The preparation of expert reports is governed by the following provisions of the same code: Article 158 “The terms of an expert’s assignment, which is confined to examining technical matters, shall be specified in the decision ordering the expert report.” Article 161 “... In carrying out their assignment, experts shall liaise with the investigating judge or other judge; they must keep him informed of the progress of their assignment so that at any time he can take any measures that may be necessary.” Article 165 “During the course of the expert’s assignment, any party may ask the court which has ordered the report to instruct the experts to make particular enquiries or to interview any named person who is likely to be able to provide them with technical information.” Article 167 “The investigating judge shall inform the parties and their counsel of the experts’ conclusions ... In all cases, the investigating judge shall stipulate a period within which the parties must submit any observations or requests, particularly for a supplementary report or second opinion. During that period the case file shall be made available to the parties’ counsel. Where the investigating judge refuses a request, he shall do so in a decision stating reasons which must be made within one month of receipt of the request...” Article 186-1 “The accused or a civil party may also appeal against the orders provided for in ... the fourth paragraph of Article 167.”