Welcome to the Expatriate Information Service on German Civil Law

Mentally ill people can sue in Germany

2006-12-21T13:10:00.000-08:00

It seems that in Germany, anyone with an obvious Mental Health problem can actually sue and win a Civil Law case.

Mentally unhealthy people are not legally responsible under Criminal Law, yet under Civil Law in my case a Man suffering from acute Schizophrenia, with a long litigation history. Was allowed to sue me for a case I had no idea of, and “win” by default.

This person suffers from an acute form of Schizophrenia called SPD (Sadistic personality Disorder).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadistic_Personality_Disorder

Putting aside the extreme Mental state of this person, who lived in his parents property, and for long stages “looked after” his Parents property. This person also physically intimidated myself and my Guests, vandalized my home and I suspect broke in and permanently damaged my home this year.

If a persons Mental health condition is unimportant in Civil Law Cases, then Germany is the only Country in the European Union, and possibly the World were they can sue.

I look forward to your opinion on this subject, and perhaps a reply from the Civil Authorities. As to why this person would be deemed criminally irresponsible but not mentally unfit under Civil Law.

Staying Positive

2006-12-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

Defending a Lawsuit is a very negative experience, especially when you are in a Country which is very difficult to deal with a lawsuit.

Avoid negative people and advice. Modern Germans can be often depressing and negative people, being a nation of worriers. It is no good, hearing the worse all the time, when your aim to “win” the lawsuit and prove the Plaintiff wrong.

The fact that most Germans live in a Lawsuit society, and are currently extremely negative about the meaning of justice found in Civil Courts. It is very hard to continue fighting an allegation that is wrong, even if there is a small element of guilt.

Look at the case against you, the accusations, and note any potential hostile witnesses. Try and look at the case against you, as if you are a “neutral” Judge. Even if you are alone and have several “witnesses”, in the case of being smart sued. Look at ways of implicating them in the obvious “set –up” they are involved in.

Do not give in, because you have a small chance of losing the case. Corporations in Germany prefer Defendants to give up before the case goes to Court. Because they can bully you in the fact they have more money, better Lawyers and more economic pull in Germany than Mr average Citizen.

One way Corporations in Germany, often screw the average Citizen is by loading alleged debts, and legally bullying Defendants.

If a Plaintiff has a long Litigation History, then this in a German Civil Court will have nothing to do with the case. In a Criminal Court this would influence greatly influence the case, not so in a Civil Case.

There is always a chance of losing a Civil Law case, even if you are innocent. Innocence has nothing to do with Civil Law in Germany, it is the degree of Innocence and Guilt, against the amount claimed in damages against you.

Investigating a Plaintiff and Defendants previous Litigation History

2006-12-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

In a Criminal Court the criminal history of the defendant is checked before a Court case, and often used against them in Court. Plaintiffs and Defendants are not checked for a previous Litigation history in a Civil Court.

A previous Litigation History is not even considered evidence in any current Court case conducted through a Civil Court. This means that Smart Plaintiffs often continue using Civil Courts to earn money legally.

If a criminal Court has to check the Criminal background of the Defendant. It would make perfect sense for a Civil Court to check the Litigation background of a Defendant and a Plaintiff, before any new case.

This could expose any patterns in Smart Suing, by the Plaintiff. There could be patterns in the Plaintiffs Litigation History, similar to repeat offences in a alleged Criminals history. A Smart Plaintiff can be identified, particularly if several Civil cases are similar.

If witnesses are the same, then obviously there could be a case of Smart Suing involved in the Plaintiffs Litigation History. If both the Plaintiff and Defendant have a long litigation history against each other, then the root of the new case in question, may start from a previous case.

Problem solvers analyse a problem, identify the cause of the problems and recommend changes to stop the problem repeating itself. Any repeat lawsuits by certain individuals shows, they could actually be the root of the problem themselves.

Identifying Smart Plaintiffs would go a long way to ensuring peoples confidence in the system. Protecting potential victims of a Smart Plaintiff, and could expose legal scams the Smart Plaintiff uses to "win" Court Cases.

Civil Law and the German Government

2006-12-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

One big misunderstanding on the Civil law system, is that this system has something to do with the current German Government. It is completely Independent and Self Governing, independent of the Government.

Civil Law systems have been around in most Countries for over a Hundred or more years. This system develops as economies and business develops. Elected Members of a Government is not responsible for the existing system, when they are elected.

The Civil Law system is actually governed by the Supreme Court in Germany. This Court decide any changes and are the highest authority in Germany. Who can review any complaints about a decision made by a lower Court.

No elected Politician can influence or interfere in a decision made by the Civil Courts in Germany. Neither can the Ministry of Justice assist you, unless it is a complaint about a criminal case.

Some Politicians already realise that the Civil Court system, is not the best option for people to settle their differences. Projects like the Mediation in Niedersachsen project, were created to assist people in not using the Civil Courts by Politicians.

The European Union are also keen on promoting Mediation in Civil disputes, as an alternative to using Civil Courts.

You are in fact dealing with an Independent entity, that resides within a Country. This entity, called the Civil Court System, is in reality an Independent Nation within a Nation.

Lawyers

2006-12-03T05:09:00.000-08:00

In Germany, Lawyers in Civil Law Cases are not allowed to work on a percentage basis or a win/lose basis, like in the States. They work on a fee basis, with the loser in the Lawsuit paying the total fee.

Unlike in Criminal Law, the right to Legal Aid is not automatic in a Civil Law Court, you have to apply for it at the Court that is hearing the case you are involved in.

If you are appointing a Lawyer for a specific case, and feel you can qualify for legal aid, insist on your Lawyer applying for it.

There is a legal minimal a Lawyer has to charge under existing German Law. However, additional charges for letters, Telephone calls, and representing you in Court vary depending on the Lawyer.

Under Civil Law, in Court you do not have the automatic right of being represented by a Lawyer, even if the other Side may have a legal Representative. Translators are available on request, if you feel your German is not good enough to fully understand the proceedings.

More experienced Lawyers, who have a reputation of winning, tend to cost more than Lawyers who are inexperienced in the Civil Law Courts. Legal Aid Lawyers may be newly qualified Lawyers, looking for experience.

There is no absolute guarantee that a Lawyer can win a case for you, even if you are innocent, and may not fully understand or interprets correctly your response to allegations made against you. Try and get a Lawyer you can fully communicate with in your own language.

CAVEAT

2006-12-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

The aim of this Blog is not to criticise the existing Civil Law System in Germany, only to educate members of the expanding foreign community in Germany on the current Civil Law System.

As I understand it, the system has been inherited by current Officials whom preside over this system.

If in your own opinion, I have pointed out any possible loopholes in this system, that you feel need changing. Then I am sure, these loopholes will be investigated and the Civil Law system will continue to develop in a positive way.

I have added a section of possible solutions to certain loopholes that may exist in this system. If these recommendations in your opinion could assist you in improving the existing system, then part of the reasons to write this Blog have been accomplished.

If in your view, I have made any mistakes or misconceptions of the current Civil Law system, then I welcome your comments under the relevant section of this blog.

Financial Outcasts

2006-12-03T04:38:00.000-08:00

If you are considering suing someone, their financial status is extremely important. Just because someone looks and acts like they have money, means nothing. There are many people in Germany who have lived under a shadow of debt for years.

Some people deliberately own nothing. The house they live in, is owned by someone related to them, their Car is owned by a relative. Their income on paper could be just the minimal monthly income under German Law to survive on (Around 900 Euro, for a Single person).

If someone owes nothing on paper inside Germany, often it is because they have had debt problems, possibly through losing a lawsuit. They live through life, owning nothing, and have regular visits by the Bailiffs, who have no immediate chance of recovering any debts.

They can not have any money in the bank, as debts are often automatically deducted from the account, if the account has been frozen by a Court Order. They can not borrow money, unless any existing debts are cleared first.

Often Companies will not hire people who are being pursued by Debt Collectors, which hinder Employment opportunities their employment prospects. Debts in Germany are considered valid for up to 30 years.

Smart Plaintiffs are often people in debt themselves. They are in reality financial outcasts in German Society. Many smart Plaintiffs see Smart suing someone with money or property, as a way to pay off their debts. Some financial outcasts see it as a perverse form of revenge, or Schadenfreude.

Ensuring Language Equality

2006-12-03T04:24:00.000-08:00

Given the fact that over Four Million German Adults are illiterate, if they were late replying to a Civil Court writ, they would be exempt from a “Guilty by default” ruling.

Why don’t the German Civil Courts accept that a Foreign Resident, who can be educated in their own language, could still be illiterate or semi-illiterate in German!.

Most Large Manufacturers in the European Union, print operating instructions on how to use the product you have purchased in all the Official languages of European Union member states.

Instructions are written in a more simplified language than the Legal language used in all EU Member States.

If Manufacturers recognize the need for the everyday Citizen of EU Member states to have Operating Instructions in their own language. They recognize that Foreigners living in the EU could be illiterate in the language of the Country they reside in.

The European Union print all documentation and information in all the Official languages of EU Member States. Even Petitions can be sent and accepted in your own language, regardless of what EU Country you reside in.

Why can t Civil Courts in Germany, recognize the same need for people of foreign descent residing in Germany, to receive a writ in both German and their own language?.

This would stop any claims that the writ was sent late, because of the lack of understanding of Legal German. It would guarantee that many current “Guilty by Default” rulings would in fact not exist. Stop any accusations by those Foreigners ruled Guilty by default of injustice and allow them the right to defend themselves in Court.

It will also ensure Germany complies with articles 21 section 1 of the European Charter ratified by the previous German Parliament citing the prohibitation of Language discrimination.

No Laws would have to be changed, only some new paperwork for the Courts to print. The solution to a repeated problem could be found. The existing Civil Law system will progress in a positive way, eliminating an occurring problem.

Language Skills can be Prejudicial

2006-12-03T03:48:00.000-08:00

No one expects to only speak their own language when they live in another Country. No Government should expect the very same people to quickly master the language of the Country, especially the Legal language used.

All people know that written and spoken languages can be a culturally divisive. Some words in languages cannot be freely translated, because there is not an exact meaning in the other language.

Legal and Scientific areas of Language are the most difficult areas of a language to understand by anyone studying another language.

The promised English version of the German Basic Legal Code, was delayed on the Website of the Ministry of Justice. Mistakes were admitted in the original translation, which could of created a totally false understanding of the code.

If the Ministry of Justice cannot get this right , with a Team of Professional translators. What hope does a foreign resident have of correctly interpreting and conducting a Defence of a lawsuit ?.

An Independent State within a State

2006-12-03T03:37:00.000-08:00

Germany is not a centralized State, in fact it is a union of Federal States within Germany. Some States enjoy a more autonomous status than others, (Bavaria, Thuringen). Others have lost their “Special Status”, since German reunification (Berlin).

Sometimes State rules on Civil matters differ from State to State but cannot be directly influenced by the Elected Government in Berlin.

There are three types of Civil Courts in Germany. Each Court follows a similar structure and system, the amounts of compensation claimed, depend on which Court you attend. All Court decisions are Law in Germany, and are decided by One Judge or a computer (if your reply to the complaint is late).

Any Complaint made, has to be done in the State the apparent action was made in. A Civil complaint in Berlin, cannot be brought to Court in Hanover. The Highest Court in each State is the Supreme Court, the lowest the local Court.

This Nation within a Nation, can also be classed as an Independent State within a State in Germany.

Smart Plaintiffs

2006-11-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

A Smart Plaintiff is a person who makes a living out of suing people. An expert, who through experience of being sued and suing people, has developed a skill to earn money legally by using the legal system to their own selfish benefits.

Smart Plaintiffs look for trouble and create situations were they can sue you. At first they can be your “friend”, find out about you and then create a situation were they can sue you.

A smart Plaintiff is an expert, who knows all the tricks and has served an apprenticeship through suing and being sued. They will know the right Lawyer to hire, and ensure their Legal insurance will cover them for the case, they are setting up against you.

They will sometimes need witnesses, witnesses who often owe them favours, fear them in some way or simply have been promised a percentage of the damages. Often a team of witnesses is used, in order to set you up.

Setting people up is easier, if you are a foreigner and have no experience of the Civil law system. Foreigners in Germany are very easy prey for a Smart Plaintiff, and their eager bunch of Cronies.

As earning money is getting harder in unemployed Germany, and the welfare state is cutting back on benefits. There are desperate people out there, who need money. Also a criminal element that do not care how they earn money, and earning money through Civil Litigation is a legal way of making a good living.

The German Civil Law system has been around for over a hundred years. It has always been part of life in Germany,just as Smart Plaintiffs have milked the system since damages have become a way of earning money

An Independent Nation within a Nation

2006-11-29T11:07:00.000-08:00

The Civil Law Industry is a system that is nothing to do with the German Government. No one has power over it, as it is an Independent legal body within the State of Germany. In short a legally Independent Nation within a Nation.

There are three Courts within this Independent Nation. Each exists because of the amount of damages claimed, determine which Court decides the punishment on a case. The Supreme court, governs this system.

Germany has a state system like the USA and Australia. Each German state is part of the Nation of Germany. Therefore an incident in Berlin, is a matter for the Courts in Brandenberg.

No Elected representative can legally interfere in a Civil Law Decision, even if your innocence is proven and the Judge could of made a wrong decision. If your case is closed, you are still guilty by Law.

You can be innocent, have proof that you are innocent but a Civil Court can ignore legally your right of appeal and innocence, if a Case is firmly closed.

Remember, the German Civil Justice system is an Independent Nation within Germany.

Try and Settle your Problems

2006-11-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

An annoying Neighbour or Customer who is hell bent on suing you, could aim at maximizing the damage to your reputation, before you reach Court.

In order to impress a Court that you have yourself exhausted all reasonable channels of negotiation. Try and be reasonable with the person/s in question.

Write a letter requesting a formal meeting to resolve the problem. Copy the letter and send it by recorded delivery. Make sure you have a dependable witness at the meeting, and a micro Cassette recorder handy.

If the person/s in question, refuses to reply or does not turn up. At least in Court you have proved that you did act reasonable.

The German and European Parliament, are keen to stop people being ruined by costly, and often petty Lawsuits. Each German State can provide a State Mediator, who if both parties agree can resolve the problem, before it goes to Court. Here is the link for the State Mediation project in Lower Saxony.
http://www.mediation-in-niedersachsen.de/English/english.html

Whilst you try these alternative ways of settling a possible lawsuit; still gather evidence, record any meetings and remember that lawsuits can be treated as a game for some twisted people. Even open Warfare, if the person/s are deliberately suing just to ruin your reputation and financial future.

As you negotiate, gather evidence and still prepare for the worse; a probable Lawsuit. Use all legal means possible to strengthen your probable case, especially if you are dealing with a proven liar and troublemaker.

Avoid being judged Guilty without a Trial

2006-11-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

If you fail to turn up to a Criminal court case, no one can be Guilty and punished without a fair Trial in any EU Country. This is NOT the Case in the German Civil Law system.

Failing to reply to a writ within a fixed period of time, is considered an admission of Guilt in Germany. You are automatically judged Guilty by Default, and are ordered to pay all damages claimed plus costs.

Most German Lawyers privately admit that you have only a small chance of winning an appeal, as a lack of German language skills is not an excuse.

After this no Civil Court will accept any evidence proving you are innocent. Your case is permanently closed!.

I believe the majority of foreigners who reside in Germany, could easily become “Guilty by default”, simply because of their lack of knowledge of German Civil Law, experience of Lawsuits and German language skills.

Smart "Suers" know this, and will sue you, simply because they could win by default. Foreigners are specifically targeted because of this rule of Law.

Hire a Private Detective

2006-11-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

PIs are expensive, but can solve your problem and stop any future Lawsuits. The best Private Detectives in Germany are ex-stasi members.

Who worked for one of the most efficient Intelligence Services in the World; the East German State Security (Stasi).

A PI is particularly good, if you need to prove ´Fraud, deception or that the person/s in question are deliberately intimidating and harassing you.

Lawsuits can get dirty, Professionals have dirty tricks they will use against you. A good PI, can often help you more than a Lawyer.

The German Association of Private Detectives

http://www.bdd.de/

Recognizing a Civil Writ

2006-11-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

Deutshe Post is one the most efficient, friendly and quickest Postal Services in Europe. Try not to blame the Mail Carrier for what the contents of your Post Box will reveal.

I discovered too late, that certain items in the post are color coded. Bills are usually sent in white envelopes, anything from the Town Hall or Police are in Grey Envelopes, Civil Writs are in Yellow Envelopes, and Red Letters are usually warrants.

Certain Companies also send bills hoping you will pay them, even if you have not used their products or services. Do not ignore this type of suspicious bill, if ignored three times, it can become a Civil Writ.

Ensure your Post box is secure, because Courts in Germany recognize you have received the post once it has been delivered. You have to prove, you never received the post in Court. If in doubt about any post you received, immediately reply, even if it is in your own language.

Civil Writs are delivered by a Mail Carrier, you have to sign for the first writ. Then two more are delivered into your postal box. If all three are ignored, then you are judged automatically "Guilty" and no one has even started reviewing your case.

Be aware of what you Sign

2006-11-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

In Germany a contract is a legal agreement. Once you have signed it, you have legally agreed to all terms and conditions of the contract. Most contracts are drawn up by legal professionals, and are in Legal German.

If you do not read or speak good German, no German Court will recognize this fact. Disputing the contract later, even if you are justified and had really been deceived into signing this contract

Consequently the only form of Legal protection is to prove that the Salesperson or Agent, deliberately lied to you in order for you to sign the contract.

Carry a Micro Cassette player, tape the conversation and ask questions about the contract. If in doubt, ask the person for a copy, and state you are going to get someone to study it, before you sign it.

Remember in Germany, what is said and what is written has two legal meanings, and some people see foreigners in Germany as a "soft touch."

Otherwise make your own contract in German and English, stating you do not fully understand German enough to fully understand the contract, and make the other party sign this declaration.

Unfortunately cynics in Germany often say that if “someone is pushing you to sign a paper, it is a trap.”

Going on Vacation

2006-11-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

Ensure all mail is kept at the Post Office, while you are on Vacation. This ensures any writs are invalid, until your return (As long as you can prove you have been on Vacation).

A dirty trick of Smart Complainers is to wait until you go on vacation, then steal your mail. Ensuring you could be "Guilty by Default", and they win the case without it going through a Court Hearing.

In Germany, if a writ has been delivered to your address, you have legally recieved it. The short countdown to being judged "Guilty by Default" has started.

Use Restraining Orders

2006-11-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Some people cannot stop causing trouble, and that can apply to a Neighbour openly harassing and threatening you. Immediately go to a Lawyer, with your Legal Insurance,

and insist on a restraining Order.

A legal penalty (compensation), is stated on a Restraining Order and immediately report any transgressions by the aggressive Neighbour to the Police.

Then take the report to your Lawyer, and claim compensation from the Neighbour.

Before you move check your Neighbours

2006-11-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

The majority of Civil Law cases in German Courts are Neighbour related. Neighbours who cannot get on and solve their problems in Germany, use the Law Courts. Particularly stubborn or down right nasty Neighbours are regular visitors to the Law Courts in Germany.

The German way, is to always check your Neighbours before you rent or purchase a property. Check the neighbourhood rules if you are renting an Apartment, because in Germany, there are rules for everything. And even were you live, can have volumes of rules that if broken, can result in an unwanted visit to a Civil law Court.

The worse thing you need is a Neighbour from Hell. Always interfering, bending the rules to suit themselves, and always making trouble. If you do, you need a very smart Lawyer, Legal Insurance and often even a restraining order.

Sometimes that does not always work, if your Neighbour from Hell is a “smart complainer”, and earns a living from winning law suits.

Never Pay Cash

2006-11-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

If any Company or individual Insist on a cash payment, tell them you will pay them through a simple Bank transfer. This will ensure that you are guaranteed, that if a receipt is not issued then you can force them to issue a receipt.

I have a very bad personal experience, of paying a Real Estate Agent commission for the Sale of a property, in cash on the promise of a receipt. No receipt was ever issued, and the Agent then double billed me, and took me to Court, knowing the evidence of the transaction was lost.

The Agent was smart because they asked me to pay them in a Bank. Banks have security cameras, but the information recorded disappears every three days. If someone insists in cash, and promises a receipt. Pay them in a Bank in view of a camera, and if no receipt is issued in 24 hours. Ask the Bank for a copy of the tape with the recorded time of the transaction (Before 48 hours).

Call the persons who “promised” to issue you a receipt, tape the conversation, and if they deny receiving the money. Go immediately to the Police, with the recorded tape and visible copy of the transaction.

The only recourse I had was to report this to the Police and Consumer society, the result has still not been made clear.

I am happy to send you details of the property website and agent, so you can avoid them, if you are thinking of buying a property in Germany.

Legal Insurance

2006-11-23T10:45:00.001-08:00

Our basic needs start with Shelter, Food, and a living Income, in Germany add on Legal Insurance. I cannot stress enough the need to have a complete Legal Insurance, whether you are Employed, Retired or Running a business.

Ensure that this Insurance covers the type of work you do, and the type of situations that someone may sue you for. Some Insurance Companies will not give Legal Insurance for Self-Employed people or high risk sectors like the Hospitality Industry, but you will get Insurance if you shop around.

Remember the majority of Germans see this as a basic need, and know that at some point in their life, they are either going to be sued or sue someone.

Ensure that you do get the right Legal Insurance, by speaking to a representative who understands your language and needs.

If you are buying a Property or Business, get Legal Insurance before you sign any contracts. Legal Insurance usually only covers you either on the date your Insurance starts or within a certain time frame after you initially started the cover.

Prevention is better than Cure

2006-11-22T06:29:00.000-08:00

If you experience a lawsuit, it can be a very stressful and frustrating experience. Especially as the majority of people who use the Law courts to settle a problem, are probably experienced in winning previous cases against someone.

These people are called “Smart complainers,” who know the Laws, have a Lawyer they work with , and know the Court system. A foreigner, with little knowledge of the system, and usage of the Law Courts, will be an easy target.

To prevent this, there are certain steps you have to take, once you have settled in Germany.

How German Civil Law does affect You

2006-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

If only 10% of the Seven Million people currently living in Germany, have no idea about Germany’s Litigation Culture. Then foreign communities in Germany, will be adversely affected by this, as the majority of Germans know about this Culture. And are more than willing to resolve any conflict, imagined or real through a Civil Law Suit.

Even as Germany is in deep Economic Recession, and Industrial decline, one Industry is growing throughout Germany, the Litigation Industry. It feeds and supports a vast army of Beaurocrats, Lawyers, Insurance Companies, Private Investigators, Debt Collectors, Credit Companies and the Construction Industry.

This growth Industry, feeds on conflict and conflict is growing in a society that is short of money.

Civil Lawsuits can range from the sublime to the ridiculous, but the end result is some form of financial compensation (damages) to the winner, and all the Lawyers involved, plus Court costs are paid by the loser. There is little risk to someone making a legal complaint to the Civil Court, if they win, than all the costs plus compensation go to the Loser.

A rational person, who feels wronged, would usually seek an apology over a small problem. They might sit around a table, drink Coffee and discuss n amicable solution to the problem. Most problems do not need to be solved through a Civil Court, often a simple apology is a solution.

Not so in a Litigation Society, Lawyers could be hired, damages assessed and then legal threats made. After all, the winner gets a ride through the system free, and the loser pays the cost. More satisfactory to an unreasonable, uncompromising person, than an apology or a discussion to clear the air, especially as it helps their Bank Account.

The key to surviving in this society, is to protect yourself and realise that not everyone is reasonable, and there are some people lurking out there looking for a soft touch to sue.

Introduction

2006-11-20T17:07:00.001-08:00

Two years ago, I would never dream I am sitting in this room, and contemplating starting something positive out of the nightmare I have faced for the last year. A nightmare which is not yet resolved, and I feel that the tunnel I have been forced to enter, still only has a dim light.

The nightmare and the dark Tunnel is my personal exposure to the Litigation Industry in Germany. I have been sued, a common occurrence in modern Germany, except my experience has a twist. My Case never went to Trial, I was judged “Guilty” without even a hearing.

The light is this Blog, the information I can publish and the assistance it can provide others who may face or are facing a similar situation to my own. I would not wish my experience of the German Civil Law system, or the possibility of anyone facing a Lawsuit in Germany, be experienced by anyone.

Germany is a modern European Country, and visitors to the Country often see the positive functional side of living in Germany. A Country were Trains run on time, Streets are clean, and Rules are clear and decisive. It’s a country that mirrors itself on a safe, boring but cosmopolitan Society, that enjoys Economic and Social freedoms, and is economically developed.

What is not conveyed by this carefully, constructed image of Germany, is that its Citizens have the freedom to Sue, and this freedom is used more often than resolving conflicts through more flexible means. The reason; winning a Lawsuit means money, money not earned through hard work or good business sense, but through a smart knowledge of the Civil Law system.

I am not criticising the Civil Law system itself, but with Germany having a more advanced Litigation Society than the USA. Foreign Residents and Visitors to Germany, may not be aware of the dangers of living in a Litigation Society. This Blog, is to ensure, that this other side to life in Germany is exposed, and that your German survival guide, includes having to deal with a potential Lawsuit.

When I moved to Germany, and invested my life savings in a business. I never knew, Germany was a Litigation Society. If I would of known this simple truth, I would of protected myself better, and not have been writing this Blog.

I hope that through this blog, the information will assist you in not experiencing a Civil Law suit, and if you do, help you find a just solution to it.