vorgerichtliche

Vorgerichtliche is a German adjective meaning "preliminary to court proceedings" and is used to describe measures, actions, or phases that occur before a court filing or trial. It is commonly employed in both civil and criminal contexts in German-speaking jurisdictions.

In civil and administrative proceedings, vorgerichtliche Schritte include attempts to resolve disputes or to assert claims outside of court. Typical elements are the sending of a formal demand letter (Mahnung or Zahlungsaufforderung), negotiations between the parties, and the involvement of dispute-resolution mechanisms such as mediation or arbitration. The goal is to settle the matter or clarify the conditions before a lawsuit is filed, reducing costs and time for all sides and diminishing court caseload. The term often appears in phrases like vorgerichtliche Einigung, vorgerichtliche Verhandlungen, and vorgerichtliche Zahlungsaufforderung.

In criminal law, vorgerichtliche Maßnahmen refer to investigations and actions taken before charges are brought, usually by police authorities or the public prosecutor's office. This includes evidence gathering, witness interviews, and preliminary assessments of whether an offense has occurred and enough suspicion exists to open formal proceedings.

The exact scope and weight of vorgerichtliche steps vary by jurisdiction and legal tradition. The term is descriptive rather than a formal procedural label and may be used more in colloquial or institutional language. It highlights a phase of dispute resolution or investigation that precedes the formal court process.