Schriftsätze

Schriftsätze is a term used in the German legal system to denote written pleadings or documents submitted to a court or authority in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings. They encompass submissions such as complaints, statements of defense, motions, affidavits, and lists of evidence, as well as legal arguments and requests.

A Schriftsatz typically serves to present the factual basis of a case, state the parties involved, define the dispute, and set out the legal points in dispute. It may also include references to relevant laws, indications of evidence to be produced, and formal requests to the court (for example, the admission of certain facts or the granting of an order). The document is usually signed by the author, who may be a party or a lawyer, and must be prepared in accordance with procedural rules.

The procedure for filing Schriftsätze varies by jurisdiction and court. In many systems they must be submitted within a specified deadline, in a format prescribed by the relevant procedural rules, and served on the opposing party. In modern contexts, electronic submissions are increasingly common, with courts providing electronic portals or e-filing options.

Schriftsätze appear across different areas of law, including civil procedure (pleadings related to a lawsuit), criminal procedure (defense or prosection submissions), and administrative or social-law procedures. While lawyers frequently draft them, self-representation by parties is also common in many proceedings.

The term derives from the words for writing and sentence/text and has been part of juristic language since the 19th century.