Plädoyer

Plädoyer is a term used in German-speaking jurisdictions to denote a lawyer’s final oral argument in a court case, or more broadly the act of pleading a case before a tribunal. The word is derived from French plaidoirie, meaning advocacy or pleading, and is used in several legal traditions to describe the persuasive speech that closes a party’s presentation.

In practice, the Plädoyer occurs after evidence and witness testimony have been heard and before the judge or tribunal renders a decision. It is typically delivered by the defense counsel and, in some systems, by the prosecution as well. The closing argument aims to synthesize facts, apply relevant law, highlight favorable evidence, address weaknesses in the opposing case, and request the relief sought.

Content and style of a Plädoyer are governed by professional and procedural norms. A typical address restates essential facts as supportive of the client, identifies the legal issues, cites statutes and case law, and explains how the evidence supports the desired legal outcome. It should be based on the record, avoid introducing new facts, respect time limits, and maintain professional integrity while persuasively presenting the client’s position.

Variants and translations exist in other languages: in English the closest equivalents are “closing argument” or “plea,” while in French the term is plaidoirie. Figuratively, Plädoyer can describe a strong or passionate advocacy for a cause beyond the courtroom, reflecting its broader sense as a defense or argument in favor of something.