First-instance jurisdiction is split between district courts (Bezirksgerichte), which handle smaller civil claims and family matters, and regional courts (Landesgerichte), which take larger civil cases and serious crime. Regional courts also host the specialist labour and social court jurisdiction and the commercial-register (Firmenbuch) function.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- first instance
- Court type
- Ordinary courts of first instance
- Jurisdiction
- Regional — first-instance civil and criminal cases
- Seat
- Regional and district seats nationwide
- Composition
- Single judges at district level; single judges, lay-assessor and jury panels at regional level.
- Languages
- German
Where an appeal goes next
Appeal to the regional court or higher regional court by level.
Filing at this court
- District courts
- Smaller civil claims, tenancy and most family matters
- Regional courts
- Larger civil claims, serious crime, labour and social cases, and the Firmenbuch
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