das  Verwaltungsgericht

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈvaltʊŋsɡəˌʁɪçt/

🏛️ What Exactly is a Verwaltungsgericht?

The Verwaltungsgericht (often abbreviated as VG) is a German court of first instance within the administrative jurisdiction (Verwaltungsgerichtsbarkeit). It decides on public law disputes of a non-constitutional nature, unless they are assigned to other courts by law.

Essentially, the Verwaltungsgericht reviews whether actions taken by public authorities (Verwaltungsakte - administrative acts) are lawful. Citizens can file lawsuits here, for example, against a denied building permit (Bauantrag), a fee notice (Gebührenbescheid), or a police order (polizeiliche Verfügung).

It only takes the article das. There's no risk of confusion with other articles for this specific word.

🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Das Verwaltungsgericht

The word "Verwaltungsgericht" is a neuter noun (sächlich) and therefore uses the article das.

Example Sentences

• Der Bürger zog vor das Verwaltungsgericht, um gegen den Bescheid zu klagen. (The citizen went before the administrative court to sue against the notice.)
• Die Entscheidung des Verwaltungsgerichts wurde nächste Woche erwartet. (The decision of the administrative court was expected next week.)
• Viele Fälle werden bei den Verwaltungsgerichten verhandelt. (Many cases are tried at the administrative courts.)
• Das zuständige Verwaltungsgericht befindet sich in der Landeshauptstadt. (The competent administrative court is located in the state capital.)

✅ When to Use "Verwaltungsgericht"?

The term "Verwaltungsgericht" is specifically used in legal and administrative contexts.

• Context: Legal system, public administration, legal disputes between citizens/companies and authorities.
• Typical Cases: Lawsuits against administrative acts (e.g., notices, permits, prohibitions), disputes in civil service law (Beamtenrecht), public building law (öffentliches Baurecht), environmental law (Umweltrecht), asylum law (Asylrecht), etc.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish the Verwaltungsgericht from other types of courts:
  • Amtsgericht/Landgericht: Civil and criminal cases.
  • Sozialgericht: Disputes concerning social insurance (pension, health insurance, unemployment benefit II).
  • Arbeitsgericht: Disputes arising from employment relationships.
  • Finanzgericht: Tax and customs matters.

Colloquially, people might simply say "Gericht" (court), but precise language requires the distinction.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das': Many German nouns ending in '-icht' that represent an institution or a result are neuter (das), like das Gericht (the court), das Licht (the light), das Gedicht (the poem). Remember: Das Gericht (the court) decides about das Recht (the law/right) in the Verwaltung (administration).

For the meaning: Imagine a large Verwaltung (administration/authority) having a dispute with a citizen. Where do they go? To a special Gericht (court) for administrative matters – the Verwaltungsgericht.

🔄 Similar and Contrasting Terms

Synonyms & Similar Terms

• VG: Official and common abbreviation.
• (Less common) Gericht für öffentliche Verwaltung: A descriptive term (court for public administration).
• Administrative Court: The direct English translation.

Terms with Different Jurisdiction (Not direct antonyms)

• Verwaltungsbehörde / Amt / Behörde: The administrative authority/agency whose actions are often reviewed by the Verwaltungsgericht. (Opposing party in proceedings)
• Ordentliche Gerichte: (Amtsgericht, Landgericht, etc.) Ordinary courts responsible for civil and criminal law.
• Andere Fachgerichtsbarkeiten: (Sozialgericht, Arbeitsgericht, Finanzgericht) Other specialized jurisdictions with specific areas outside administrative law.

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse it with the Bundesverwaltungsgericht! The Bundesverwaltungsgericht is the highest federal administrative court, whereas the (regular) Verwaltungsgericht is the court of first instance.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten vor dem Verwaltungsgericht: "Warum haben Sie gegen die Baugenehmigung Ihres Nachbarn geklagt?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Weil er sein Haus genau dorthin gebaut hat, wo ich meine Hängematte aufhängen wollte!"

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant at the administrative court: "Why did you appeal against your neighbor's building permit?"
The defendant replies: "Because he built his house exactly where I wanted to hang my hammock!"

📜 A Poem About the Court

Der Bescheid kam, kalt und grau,
man fühlt sich machtlos, klein und rau.
Doch gibt's 'nen Ort, da hört man zu,
und prüft das amtliche Getu'.
Das Verwaltungsgericht, mit Recht und Sinn,
hilft Bürgern oft zu dem Gewinn,
dass Fairness siegt und Recht besteht,
auch wenn die Mühle langsam dreht.

Translation:
The notice arrived, cold and grey,
one feels powerless, small, dismayed.
But there's a place where they listen true,
and check the official to-do.
The Administrative Court, with law and sense,
often helps citizens commence
a path where fairness wins the day,
though justice mills might slowly sway.

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin kein Ort für Dieb und Mord,
doch Recht zu sprechen ist mein Hort.
Wenn Bürger mit dem Amt im Streit,
bin ich zur Klärung gern bereit.
Ich prüfe Bescheid und auch Verbot,
ob alles rechtens, ohne Not.

Wer bin ich?

Translation:
I'm not a place for theft or murder's dread,
But speaking justice is my stead.
When citizens with authorities contest,
I'm ready to put things to the test.
I check decisions and prohibitions made,
If all is lawful, unafraid.

Who am I?

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition:

The word "Verwaltungsgericht" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Die Verwaltung: Refers to the administration, authorities, and their activities.
• Das Gericht: Refers to the institution that administers justice, the court.

Hierarchy:

The Verwaltungsgerichte are the first instance courts. Appeals against their judgments can often be lodged with the Oberverwaltungsgericht (OVG) or Verwaltungsgerichtshof (VGH) (Higher Administrative Court). The final court of appeal is the Bundesverwaltungsgericht (BVerwG) in Leipzig (Federal Administrative Court).