Bundestag Paper 20/13635: Draft Law on the Development and Testing of an Online Procedure in Civil Jurisdiction
Summary
On November 6, 2024, the Bundestag (German Parliament) published a new article (Drucksachen 20/13635) entitled “20/13635: Unterrichtung Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Online-Verfahrens in der Zivilgerichtsbarkeit – 20/13082 – Stellungnahme des Bundesrates und Gegenäußerung der Bundesregierung (PDF).” The article presents the draft of a law regarding the development and testing of an online procedure in civil jurisdiction.
Background
The German government has been working on the digitization of the judiciary for some time. The introduction of an online procedure in civil jurisdiction is a further step in this direction. The aim is to make it easier for citizens and businesses to access justice.
Contents of the Draft Law
The draft law provides for the following:
- The development and testing of an online procedure for civil litigation.
- The establishment of a central online platform for the submission of lawsuits and other documents.
- The possibility of conducting hearings via video conference.
- The digital signature of court decisions.
Statement of the Bundesrat
The Bundesrat (German Federal Council) welcomed the draft law in its statement. However, it also expressed some concerns, including:
- The need to ensure that the online procedure is accessible to all citizens and businesses.
- The importance of data protection and information security.
- The need for adequate training for judges and court staff.
Counter-Statement of the Federal Government
The Federal Government addressed the concerns raised by the Bundesrat in its counter-statement. It assured that the online procedure would be accessible to all and that data protection and information security would be ensured. The government also stated that it would provide adequate training for judges and court staff.
Next Steps
The draft law will now be debated in the Bundestag. If passed, it will enter into force on January 1, 2026.
Significance
The introduction of an online procedure in civil jurisdiction is a significant step in the digitization of the German judiciary. It will make it easier for citizens and businesses to access justice and will help to speed up court proceedings.
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Drucksachen a new article on 2024-11-06 11:00 titled “20/13635: Unterrichtung Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Entwicklung und Erprobung eines Online-Verfahrens in der Zivilgerichtsbarkeit – 20/13082 – Stellungnahme des Bundesrates und Gegenäußerung der Bundesregierung (PDF)”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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