New online procedure for complaints before the local courts to be tested

In future, anyone wishing to bring a monetary claim before the local (district) court will have access to simple, user-friendly and end-to-end digital court proceedings. This is envisaged in a draft bill of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. The trial phase of the new online procedure is to begin at selected local courts once the legislative process has been completed.

The purpose of the bill

The online civil court procedure is intended to simplify and improve access to justice for small amounts in dispute. At the same time, the structuring of the procedural material, the integrated digitalization of the procedural processes and the stronger data-based communication should make the work at the courts more efficient and save resources, especially in mass proceedings. The online procedure will be tested over a period of ten years. An evaluation is planned after four and eight years after the law has come into force to further develop and enhance the online procedure.

In brief, the draft bill foresees the following primary measures:

• Initiating the online procedure by filing a claim through digital input systems
• It covers civil disputes before the local courts in case of claims against a specific sum of money
• Digital structuring: The use of electronic documents, data records and input systems should be structured digitally
• Nationwide trials of a communication platform for applications and declarations to be submitted directly
• The court fees for online proceedings should be reduced compared to conventional civil proceedings

Note: On 13 June 2025, the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection also published a draft “Act on the Introduction of Online Notarization”. In future it should generally also be possible to issue notarizations in electronic form, e.g. using a signature pad. The current draft bill was now sent to the federal states and professional associations for comment until 27 June 2025.

Source:

Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, press release of 13 June 2025.