Landesgerichte

Landesgerichte is the plural form of Landgericht, a term used in German-speaking countries for regional state courts. In Germany, Landgerichte form the middle tier of the judiciary within each federal state. They sit between Amtsgerichte (local courts) and Oberlandesgerichte (higher regional courts) and handle civil matters of greater significance and more serious criminal cases. They are organized into senates specialized in civil, criminal, and other areas, and their jurisdiction can include hearing appeals from decisions of Amtsgerichte in civil matters (Berufung) as well as serving as first instance for selected cases defined by state law. The exact number of Landgerichte and their precise competences vary by state, reflecting differences in population and case load.

In Austria, the term Landesgerichte also refers to regional courts at the state level. They operate below the Oberlandesgerichte and above the Bezirksgerichte in the Austrian judiciary, handling a broad range of civil and criminal matters. As with Germany, the specific jurisdiction and organization of Landesgerichte in Austria differ among states and are defined by national and state legislation.

The expression Landesgerichte is therefore used to denote state-level or regional courts in German-speaking countries, with the exact powers and structure depending on the particular country and state. In both Germany and Austria, Landesgerichte occupy a key intermediate position in the court system, balancing responsibilities between local courts and higher appeal courts.