rechtfertigender

Rechtfertigender is the present participle of the verb rechtfertigen and functions in German as an attributive or predicative adjective meaning “that justifies” or “justifying.” In practice it most often appears in phrases such as ein rechtfertigender Grund or rechtfertigende Umstände, to denote a justification or grounds that support a claim, action, or assertion. The term is frequently linked to legal language, where it helps describe reasons that render an otherwise unlawful act permissible.

In legal context, the related noun Rechtfertigungsgrund (a justificatory ground) designates a circumstance that excludes the unlawfulness of an act. Noteworthy examples in German law include Notwehr (self-defense), Einwilligung (consent), and Notstand (emergency necessity). These are described as Rechtfertigungsgründe and thereby serve as formal justifications for actions that would otherwise be illegal. The phrase rechtfertigender Grund can be used more generally to refer to any justification that supports a position or action, not only in strictly legal settings.

Grammatically, rechtfertigender is declined like a normal adjective in attributive position after a definite or indefinite article. Examples: ein rechtfertigender Grund (nominative, masculine); eine rechtfertigende Begründung (nominative, feminine); ein rechtfertigendes Argument (nominative, neuter). Plural: rechtfertigende Gründe. Genitive and dative forms follow the standard adjective declension: eines rechtfertigenden Grundes, einem rechtfertigenden Grund, einer rechtfertigenden Begründung, etc.

In sum, rechtfertigender serves as a descriptive form signaling that something provides justification, with particular prominence in legal discourse through the related concept of Rechtfertigungsgrund.