landgerichte

Landgerichte are a class of courts in the German judiciary, forming the middle tier of the ordinary jurisdiction. They sit between Amtsgerichte (local courts) and Oberlandesgerichte (Higher Regional Courts) and exist in the federal states as major regional centers. The term Landgericht literally means “regional court.”

Jurisdiction and function

In civil matters, Landgerichte handle disputes that exceed certain monetary thresholds and act as appellate courts for decisions of Amtsgerichte in civil cases. In criminal matters, they try more serious offenses that fall outside the scope of the Amtsgerichte and hear appeals against Amtsgericht judgments. Landgerichte may also conduct revisions to the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) for certain questions of law, depending on the applicable rules.

Structure

A Landgericht is composed of several senates (panels), including civil senates and criminal senates, sometimes with specialized units. A presiding judge leads the court. Decisions of a Landgericht are typically reviewable by the Oberlandesgerichte through Berufung, and in many cases a further Revision to the BGH is possible on legal questions.

Relationship to other courts

The Landgericht is part of the general (ordinary) jurisdiction and operates under the supervision of the state judiciary. It serves as an important link between the Amtsgerichte and the Oberlandesgerichte. The exact distribution of responsibilities can vary somewhat by state due to the federal structure, but the Landgericht generally handles higher-value civil disputes and more serious criminal cases, with appeals progressing to higher courts.

History

The Landgericht system originated in the 19th century as part of reforms to standardize state judicial structures. While its precise organization differs among states, the concept of a regional court at this level has persisted in the German legal framework.