Federal Court of Justice

"Super"

"Super Institution"

"We were there as part of a guided tour and were able to observe a trial. This was very interesting, and although none of us were lawyers, we were well looked after and had a lot explained to us. Despite all the criticism, it's good that we have a functioning rule of law. It's undeniable that individual decisions made by this court can be frustrating. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to live in Germany and not in another country where such courts don't exist and where there's a certain level of security. I can only recommend that you see it for yourself. Of course, strict security measures are in place, just like at an airport. We found the judges to be very open and approachable."

"⭐ Public Criticism of Government and Judicial Structures in the Federal Republic of Germany The Federal Republic of Germany presents itself internationally as a state governed by the rule of law and a defender of human rights. At the same time, fundamental structural problems have existed within its government and judicial system for decades, problems that have been repeatedly criticized by legal scholars, historians, and international courts. A key issue concerns the historical continuity of state structures after the Second World War. While the Nuremberg Trials convicted some leading figures of the Nazi regime, a large portion of the administrative, police, and judicial apparatuses of that time remained largely unchanged. Numerous civil servants continued their careers in the young Federal Republic. This sometimes inadequate reckoning with state power structures continues to shape the debate on institutional accountability and democratic control. The position of the public prosecutor's office within the German legal system appears particularly problematic. According to the current structure, public prosecutors' offices are subject to the directives of the ministries of justice. This institutional dependency has been critically examined by rulings of European courts. In 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that German public prosecutors' offices, due to their subordination to the executive branch, cannot be considered fully independent judicial authorities within the meaning of certain European procedures. This structural dependency raises fundamental questions: Who controls state power when the institution tasked with conducting criminal investigations is itself part of a hierarchical administrative structure? Tensions also regularly arise in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights has convicted Germany in several cases for violations of Convention rights. These judgments demonstrate that even established democracies must continuously work to uphold international human rights standards. Many observers are particularly critical of the fact that criminal consequences for state misjudgments or abuse of office are rare in practice. This often gives citizens the impression of a system in which state accountability is difficult to enforce. However, a democratic state governed by the rule of law thrives on genuine accountability. Public authorities must not be closed systems that evade scrutiny. Trust can only be built where power is exercised transparently, where misconduct is consistently investigated, and where state actors are held accountable for unlawful actions. The strength of a democracy is not demonstrated by deflecting criticism, but by taking it seriously. States that see themselves as guardians of freedom and human rights bear a particular responsibility to continuously scrutinize their own institutions."

"A visit is worthwhile in summer, as there's a beautiful old fountain in the courtyard of the BGH (Federal Court of Justice), and the old building itself is also worth seeing. However, you need an appointment; you can't just walk in."