Wirtschaftsrecht

Wirtschaftsrecht, or business law, is the legal discipline that governs economic activity. It combines elements of civil law with public regulation to provide the framework for the formation, operation, and governance of enterprises in market economies. It addresses both private-law rules that govern business transactions and public-law rules that regulate markets and competition.

Core areas include contract and sale law (Vertragsrecht, Kaufrecht, Handelsrecht), corporate and partnership law (Gesellschaftsrecht), and insolvency law. It also covers competition and antitrust law (Kartellrecht), financial markets and banking regulation, consumer protection, and regulatory regimes affecting business activity. Intellectual property and licensing are often treated within Wirtschaftsrecht when they impact economic activity.

In practice, Wirtschaftsrecht is studied as an interdisciplinary field that bridges private and public law. Graduates work in law firms, corporate legal departments, banks, regulatory authorities, and advisory services. The focus is on compliance, risk management, contract drafting, corporate governance, and dispute resolution, with an eye toward practical business needs and regulatory requirements.

As a dynamic and globally influenced field, Wirtschaftsrecht adapts to cross-border transactions, EU and international law, and evolving regulatory standards. It intersects with tax, employment, and IP law and remains central to the operation, governance, and oversight of modern economies.