Sachverhalt

Sachverhalt is a German noun meaning the state of facts or the factual background of a matter. In legal contexts it refers to the actual events, circumstances, and acts relevant to a case, as opposed to its legal assessment or conclusions. The term is commonly used in court decisions to summarize what has occurred and what is supported by evidence.

In court decisions, the Sachverhalt is typically presented as a factual section that describes dates, persons, places, contracts, actions, and other pertinent details. It serves as the basis for the legal analysis that follows. The factual account is often influenced by the pleadings of the parties and by evidence gathered during proceedings; disputes about what happened can lead to further evidence or a revision of the presented facts during the Beweisaufnahme (evidence-taking).

The Sachverhalt is distinct from the Rechtslage (legal situation) and the Rechtsfolgen (legal consequences). While the Sachverhalt states what happened, the Rechtslage explains which legal rules apply to those facts, and the Rechtsfolgen describe the result under the law. In practice, judges may refine the Sachverhalt as new information emerges, but a clear, well-supported factual foundation is essential for a sound legal decision.

Outside jurisprudence, Sachverhalt is used more broadly to denote the facts of the matter in journalism, administration, or everyday language. It is often synonymous with terms like Faktenlage (state of the facts) or factual background.