Having custody over your child means you can make legal decisions about where he or she lives, goes to school, even prays. It also allows you (in fact, requires you) to house your child, provide for him or her, and take care of every need, both physically and mentally. Child custody agreements usually come after a child is adopted or if the parents are undergoing a divorce or separation (if one parent passes away, this also triggers negotiations.) The courts are the institutions that make the decisions about who will get child custody. If you are undergoing child custody proceedings ..read more

During my custody case hearings, the criminal allegations of my legal opponent were scarcely referenced, another option from a Family court couldn’t require. However, what about the actual criminal acts committed during the court proceedings themselves? Even when these real-time offenses were brought up in one of the hearings, the judge showed disdain, indeed, but made no effort to understand the allegations.  Of course, it is not within the family judge’s function to adjudicate a criminal case during a family court hearing. The suggestion to suspend the family case for the duration of ..read more

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During the 2015 refugee crisis, Germany emerged as a central figure, simplifying entry protocols and thereby earning the gratitude of front-line European nations such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. Germany was perceived as a beacon of hope, a destination of choice for those seeking refuge within Europe.  Among those arriving were individuals seeking asylum, including some who already had asylum status in other European countries and others without genuine asylum claims, fabricating stories to secure their stay.  The influx included those genuinely fleeing persecution due to their belie ..read more

In the German civil law system, lawyers focus a lot on written laws. They help clients understand these laws and how they apply to their situations. Their work often involves a lot of paperwork, and they must be very precise. They argue cases in court too, but it’s really important how they prepare their documents. In common law countries, like the U.S. or the U.K., lawyers do things a bit differently. They look at decisions from past cases because those can affect current cases. They’re also active in court, questioning witnesses and making arguments. They often try to settle things outside ..read more

Stefan Zweig’s renowned novel, “Schachnovelle” or “Chess Novella”, delves into the story of an intellectual individual imprisoned during wartime. He finds himself with only a stolen chess book hidden in his cell for reading material. With nothing else to engage his mind, he turns to the book, learning the game of chess. Upon gaining his freedom, he tries his hand at chess and discovers that the game isn’t just about following rules – it’s about understanding them. The protagonist internalizes specific moves, positions, and patterns from the book, only to realize that these patterns don’t apply ..read more

Considering Aristotle’s contributions to the modern justice system, it is acknowledged that there are two sides to every case: the just and the unjust. As the history of justice evolved, a clear division of cases into criminal and civil categories emerged, followed by even more granular categorizations. In terms of procedure, many systems handle cases similarly—through trials that include testimonies, witness examination, cross-examination, and then a verdict, applicable to both criminal and civil cases. Scandinavian and, to an extent, German law, aim not solely to discern fair from unfair in ..read more

Every country has laws and procedures designed to foster harmonious living, tailored to the realities of daily life. Each legal system contributes to the broader pursuit of justice, and the German legal system is no exception. Rooted in Roman law, the German system, like many others worldwide, is built on a structured framework of written statutes that aim to serve justice. The Roman law itself evolved over a millennium, absorbing and studying the laws and customs of the territories it conquered. In its early history, Roman justice often applied the laws of an immigrant’s homeland for crimes ..read more

The term “Voreingenommenheit,” which translates to “bias” or “prejudice” in German, can be found in various aspects of German law, particularly in the context of administrative law and criminal law.  The term “Voreingenommenheit” (bias or prejudice) can also be relevant in the context of German family law, particularly in cases involving family court proceedings or disputes related to family matters. While the term itself may not be explicitly mentioned in the family law statutes, the concept of impartiality and the avoidance of bias are fundamental principles that apply across various a ..read more