25/11/2005.

On November 15, 2005, the supreme court of appeal in Paris has rejected the appeal by the families of four employees contaminated by asbestos in the Dunkerque (North) region and has confirmed the non-suit validated by the court of appeal of Douai in June 2004.

In February 1997, four victims (two of whom have since died of  pleura cancer, a form of cancer caused by asbestos) and Ardeva, (the regional association of asbestos victims), had lodged a complaint against three industrial enterprises in the Dunkerque region: Sollac, Normed and Sarl Weizsaecker and Carrère (WCI). After a seven-year trial, the Court issued an order of non-suit on 16th December 2003. This decision was confirmed on 15th June 2004  by the investigation chamber of the Douai Court of appeal.
 
The criminal chamber of the Supreme court rejected the appeal against this judgment especially because the plaintiffs were not allowed to lodge an appeal with the Supreme court. This reject was based on  a legal aspect and was merely a procedure instead of reaching a conclusion on the nature of the case.