Schlussverfahren

Schlussverfahren is a German legal term that translates to "final procedure" or "concluding procedure." It refers to the stage in a legal proceeding where the parties present their final arguments and the court prepares to render a judgment. This phase typically occurs after all evidence has been presented and examined.

In civil law, the Schlussverfahren often involves the submission of written final briefs (Schluss Schriftsätze) by the parties. These briefs summarize the evidence presented, reiterate the legal arguments, and state the relief sought. Oral final arguments may also be permitted, depending on the specific court and jurisdiction. The judge or panel of judges then considers all the presented material and deliberates on the outcome.

In criminal law, the Schlussverfahren is similarly focused on the concluding stages. After the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the defendant is typically given the opportunity to make a final statement. The public prosecutor and defense counsel then present their closing arguments (Plädoyers), summarizing their positions and urging the court to reach a specific verdict. The court then retires to consider the verdict. The essence of the Schlussverfahren is to bring the evidentiary and argumentative phases of a trial to a close, allowing for a decision to be made.