das  Bundesgericht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəsɡəˌʁɪçt/

⚖️ What is *das Bundesgericht*?

Das Bundesgericht translates to Federal Court in the German legal system. It refers to the highest courts at the federal level within specific jurisdictions (civil/criminal law, administrative law, labor law, social law, fiscal law). There are several specific federal courts in Germany.

The word is neuter (*sächlich*), so the correct article is das.

🚨 Attention: The term is often used generically but usually refers to a specific supreme federal court, like the *Bundesgerichtshof* (BGH - Federal Court of Justice).

🧐 Grammar of *Bundesgericht* Explained

The noun „Bundesgericht“ is neuter (*sächlich*). It is typically used in the singular, as it often refers to a specific institution or serves as a generic term. The plural („die Bundesgerichte“) is used when referring to several of these courts simultaneously (e.g., the five supreme federal courts of Germany).

Example Sentences

• Das Bundesgericht hat das Urteil der Vorinstanz bestätigt.
  (The Federal Court confirmed the judgment of the lower court.)
• Die Zuständigkeit liegt beim zuständigen Bundesgericht.
  (Jurisdiction lies with the competent Federal Court.)
• Die Entscheidungen des Bundesgerichts sind oft wegweisend.
  (The decisions of the Federal Court are often groundbreaking.)
• Man muss sich an das Bundesgericht wenden, um Revision einzulegen.
  (One must turn to the Federal Court to file an appeal on points of law.)
• Deutschland hat fünf oberste Bundesgerichte.
  (Germany has five supreme Federal Courts.)

🏛️ When and How to Use *'Bundesgericht'*

The term „das Bundesgericht“ is used to refer to the highest courts at the federal level in Germany. It serves as a generic term or can, depending on the context, refer to a specific court.

Typical contexts:

• Legal discussions: When discussing the highest instance in a specific area of law (e.g., civil law → *Bundesgerichtshof*).
• News and reporting: When reporting on important judgments or decisions by these courts.
• Administration and politics: In connection with the organization of the justice system in Germany.

It's important to know that there are five supreme federal courts (*oberste Bundesgerichte*):

1. Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) - for civil and criminal matters
2. Bundesverwaltungsgericht (BVerwG) - for public law (administrative law)
3. Bundesarbeitsgericht (BAG) - for labor law
4. Bundessozialgericht (BSG) - for social security law
5. Bundesfinanzhof (BFH) - for tax and customs law

The *Bundesverfassungsgericht* (BVerfG - Federal Constitutional Court), while also a federal court, is a constitutional body and stands apart from these five specialized jurisdictions. It is usually referred to specifically by its name.

Compared to Landgericht (Regional Court) or Amtsgericht (Local Court), the *Bundesgericht* is at the top of the respective judicial hierarchy at the federal level.

💡 Mnemonics for *'das Bundesgericht'*

Article Mnemonic: Think of a court (*das Gericht*) needing to be neutral and objective, like the neuter article das. A Bundesgericht (Federal Court) must certainly be!

Meaning Mnemonic: The Bund (Federation) needs its own supreme Gericht (court) for federal matters → Bundesgericht.

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Similar Terms

Similar, potentially misleading terms:

• Bundesverfassungsgericht (BVerfG): (Federal Constitutional Court) While also a federal court, it's considered separately as a constitutional organ and not part of the five specialized jurisdictions.
• Landesgericht: (State Court) A general term for courts at the state level (often used synonymously with *Landgericht* or *Oberlandesgericht*, depending on context).

😂 A Little Legal Joke

Richter zum Angeklagten: "Wollen Sie die Wahrheit sagen, die reine Wahrheit und nichts als die Wahrheit?"
Angeklagter: "Nein, Herr Richter, ich wollte eigentlich nur über das Wetter reden."

--- Translation ---

Judge to the defendant: "Do you want to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
Defendant: "No, Your Honor, I actually just wanted to talk about the weather."

✒️ A Poem About the Court

Im hohen Haus, wo Recht gesprochen wird,
Das Bundesgericht, das weise führt.
Gesetze wägt es, prüft den Streit,
Für Klarheit sorgt es, weit und breit.
Auf Bundesebene, die letzte Hand,
Ein Pfeiler der Gerechtigkeit im Land.

--- Translation ---

In the high house, where justice is spoken,
The Federal Court, which wisely guides.
It weighs laws, examines the dispute,
Provides clarity, far and wide.
At the federal level, the final hand,
A pillar of justice in the land.

❓ What Am I?

Ich stehe an der Spitze, doch nicht allein,
Fünf Brüder hab' ich, fein und klein (im Vergleich zur Gesamtjustiz).
Ich urteile für den ganzen Bund,
Mein Name tut die höchste Instanz kund.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, merk es dir,
In Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Erfurt, Kassel und München findest du vier von mir (und einen in München).

--- Translation ---

I stand at the top, but not alone,
Five brothers I have, fine and small (compared to the entire judiciary).
I judge for the entire Federation,
My name announces the highest instance.
My article is neuter, remember this,
In Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Erfurt, Kassel, and Munich, you'll find four of me (and one in Munich).

What am I?

Solution: Das Bundesgericht (or *die Bundesgerichte* - the Federal Courts)

ℹ️ Trivia and Word Origin

Word Composition:

The word „Bundesgericht“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• Bund: Refers to the federal level of Germany (Federation).
• Gericht: Institution for administering justice (Court).

Trivia - The Five Supreme Federal Courts:

• Bundesgerichtshof (BGH): Located in Karlsruhe (and Leipzig for one criminal division).
• Bundesverwaltungsgericht (BVerwG): Located in Leipzig.
• Bundesarbeitsgericht (BAG): Located in Erfurt.
• Bundessozialgericht (BSG): Located in Kassel.
• Bundesfinanzhof (BFH): Located in Munich.

This distribution of locations across different cities is an expression of federalism in Germany.