From 2018: Electronic Court Proceedings Also in Germany

As of 1 January 2018, all attorneys registered in Germany are required to provide an electronic means of receiving communications from courts and other attorneys. Messages and documents are delivered through the closed communication system operated by the German Federal Bar Association (Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer) and the Federal Chamber of Notaries (Bundesnotarkammer).

The new regulation does not yet provide for full digitalization, as is already the case in some other countries. For the time being, it only establishes a mandatory electronic receiving system for attorneys and courts. Nevertheless, it represents a significant step forward and an important move toward paperless communication.

One of the key advantages is the user-friendly and universal interface, which works with the PDF/A format. In addition, the system is compatible with most law firm management software solutions.

For us, electronic court proceedings are nothing new. Through our legal work in Hungary and Austria, we have already gained experience with such systems and have come to appreciate the efficiency of electronic data exchange.

The innovation is also beneficial for our clients: the new data transmission system can be synchronized with your WebAkte (electronic case file). This allows you to access your files and related data more quickly and conveniently. Thanks to keyword search functionality, you can locate the desired information within fully digitized documents in a matter of seconds.