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Plain language instead of jargon

Courts & proceedings

So that legal terms become easier to understand

Terms from objection procedures, actions and court proceedings for you

Here you will find typical terms from actions, court proceedings and appeal proceedings – clearly explained and with a focus on proceedings before the social courts.

The explanations are meant to help you understand letters and procedures better. They do not replace individual legal advice.

Is a term missing? Then write to us at kontakt@kein-einzelfall.de. We will add to the list and let it keep growing together with you.

Together, KE!N EINZELFALL

To the typical sentences

A

Acknowledgement (Anerkenntnis): The other side acknowledges a claim in whole or in part. If the acknowledgement is accepted, the dispute can be settled to that extent.
Action (Klage): With an action, the social court is asked to examine a legal dispute and decide on it.
Amendment of the action (Klageänderung): The subject of an action is changed afterwards. This is only permitted under certain legal conditions. Not every addition or correction is an amendment of the action.
Appeal (Berufung): With an appeal, a judgment of the social court can be reviewed by the regional social court under the legal requirements.
Appeal on points of law (Revision): With an appeal on points of law, the Federal Social Court generally reviews questions of law. It is only admissible if it has been allowed.
Appeal remedy (Rechtsmittel): A route provided by law to have a court decision reviewed by a higher court, for example an appeal or an appeal on points of law.
Applicant (Antragsteller / Antragstellerin): This is the person who makes a court application.
Application (Antrag): You ask the court to make a particular decision.
Application to take evidence (Beweisantrag): A party applies for the court to take evidence on a particular question. In social court proceedings, the court is not automatically bound by such applications.
Authorised representative (Bevollmächtigte Person): A person authorised to represent you in the proceedings. Before the social courts and regional social courts, you can generally conduct proceedings yourself; stricter rules on representation apply before the Federal Social Court.

B

Bias (Befangenheit): There are reasons that may raise doubts as to whether a judge or another person involved can take part impartially.

C

Claimant (Kläger / Klägerin): This is the person or body that brought the action.
Complaint (Beschwerde): A legal remedy by which certain court decisions can be reviewed where the law provides for it.
Complaint against refusal of leave (Nichtzulassungsbeschwerde): Under certain conditions, it is possible to challenge the fact that a legal remedy, for example an appeal on points of law, was not allowed. Special legal requirements apply.
Court costs (Gerichtskosten): Whether court costs arise depends on the type of proceedings and the parties. For many insured persons, benefit recipients and people with disabilities, social court proceedings are free of court costs; there are exceptions, however.
Court decision without a hearing (Gerichtsbescheid): Under certain conditions, the social court can decide without an oral hearing by court decision if the case has no particular factual or legal difficulties and the facts are clear. The parties must be heard beforehand.

D

Decision on the basis of the file (Entscheidung nach Lage der Akten): Under certain conditions, the court can decide on the basis of the existing file, even if parties do not attend a hearing.
Decision on the objection (Widerspruchsbescheid): This is the decision on the objection. The time limit for bringing an action often begins once it has been announced.
Decision without an oral hearing (Entscheidung ohne mündliche Verhandlung): With the consent of the parties, the court can, under certain conditions, also decide by judgment without an oral hearing.
Defendant (Beklagte / Beklagter): This is the person or body against whom the action is brought. In social court proceedings, this is often the responsible benefit provider or authority.
Discussion hearing (Erörterungstermin): A hearing in which the court can discuss the facts, open questions and the further course of the proceedings with the parties.

E

Enforcement (Vollstreckung): A court decision or another enforceable title is put into practice.
Evaluation of evidence (Beweiswürdigung): The court evaluates the available evidence and decides what weight it has for forming its conviction.
Evidence (Beweis): Evidence is meant to help clarify whether a fact that is important for the proceedings is true.
Expert (Sachverständige Person): A person with specialist knowledge who helps the court with questions that require special expertise.
Expert assessor (Gutachter / Gutachterin): An expert commissioned by the court to carry out an assessment.
Expert opinion (Gutachten): An expert answers specialist questions that may be important for the court's decision.
Expert opinion under § 109 SGG (Gutachten nach § 109 SGG): In social court proceedings, certain entitled persons can apply for a particular doctor to be heard as an expert. The court can make this hearing conditional on the costs being paid in advance and possibly borne in the end. To our project on § 109 SGG about “Expert opinion under § 109 SGG (Gutachten nach § 109 SGG)”
Extension of time (Fristverlängerung): For time limits set by the court, it may be possible to apply for more time. Statutory time limits, on the other hand, cannot simply be extended.

F

File (Akte): The court file collects the documents that belong to your proceedings.
File number (Aktenzeichen): This is the reference under which the court handles your proceedings.
Filing the action (Klageerhebung): This is how the action is lodged with the competent court. In social court proceedings, it can be filed in writing or for the record at the court office.
Finality / final (Rechtskraft / rechtskräftig): A court decision can generally no longer be challenged with the ordinary legal remedies.

G

Grounds (Begründung): This explains why an application was made, an action was brought or a court decision was made.

H

Hearing (Anhörung): You are given the opportunity to comment on certain facts, documents or intended procedural steps.
Hearing date (Termin): A time set by the court at which, for example, an oral hearing or a discussion hearing takes place.

I

Information on legal remedies (Rechtsmittelbelehrung): This states whether, and with which legal remedy, a decision can be challenged and which form and time limit apply.
Inspection of files (Akteneinsicht): You or an authorised representative can inspect the court file under the legal requirements.
Interim order (Einstweilige Anordnung): Under the legal requirements, the court can regulate something provisionally if this is necessary to prevent significant disadvantages or to secure a claim provisionally.

J

Joined party (Beigeladene / Beigeladener): The court can involve further persons or bodies in proceedings if their legal interests may be affected by the decision or their involvement is required by law.
Judge (Richter / Richterin): The person who conducts the court proceedings or takes part in the court's decision.
Judgment (Urteil): A court decision that decides on the action.
Judicial notice (Richterlicher Hinweis): The court draws the parties' attention to legally or factually important points, unclear applications or missing information.
Jurisdiction (Zuständigkeit): This means which court has subject-matter and local jurisdiction for proceedings.

L

Legal aid – PKH (Prozesskostenhilfe): Anyone who, given their personal and financial circumstances, cannot pay the costs of proceedings, or only in part, can receive legal aid under the legal requirements. It is also checked whether the intended legal action has sufficient prospects of success and does not appear frivolous.
Legal remedy (Rechtsbehelf): A legal route by which a decision can be challenged or reviewed.
Legal representative (Prozessbevollmächtigte Person): A person who represents you in court proceedings and may take procedural steps on your behalf.

M

Means of evidence (Beweismittel): These can be, for example, documents, records, witness statements, expert opinions or other suitable sources of information.

O

Objection (Widerspruch): In many social law procedures, an objection procedure must first be carried out before an action can be brought before the social court.
Official investigation / inquisitorial principle (Amtsermittlung / Amtsermittlungsgrundsatz): In social court proceedings, the court generally investigates the facts of its own accord. It is not bound only by what the parties put forward or apply for as evidence.
Operative part (Urteilsformel / Tenor): This is the part of the judgment that states how the court decided.
Oral hearing (Mündliche Verhandlung): A court hearing in which the facts and the applications are discussed with the parties. In social court proceedings, decisions are generally made on the basis of an oral hearing unless the law provides otherwise.
Order (Beschluss): A court decision that is not issued as a judgment. Many decisions during ongoing proceedings are made by order.

P

Parties to the proceedings (Verfahrensbeteiligte): In social court proceedings, the parties are in particular the claimant, the defendant and, where applicable, joined parties.
Pendency (Rechtshängigkeit): When the action is filed, the dispute becomes pending before the court.
Personal attendance (Persönliches Erscheinen): The court can order you to attend a hearing in person. Under certain conditions, taking part by video and audio link may also be possible.
Postponement of a hearing (Terminverlegung): A court hearing that has already been scheduled is moved to another time. Whether a hearing is postponed is decided by the court according to the legal requirements.
Power of attorney (Vollmacht): With this you allow another person to represent you in the proceedings.
Procedural error (Verfahrensfehler): A legal rule on the course of the court proceedings may not have been followed.
Proceedings (Verfahren): This means the whole process before the court – from the action or an application to the final decision.

R

Reasons for the judgment (Urteilsbegründung / Entscheidungsgründe): Here the court explains which factual and legal considerations were decisive for its decision.
Regional social court – LSG (Landessozialgericht): In the social court system, the regional social court is usually the level above the social court and decides, among other things, on appeals.
Reinstatement (Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand): If a statutory time limit was missed through no fault of your own, you can, under certain conditions, apply to be treated as if the time limit had been met.
Representation (Vertretung): An authorised person conducts the proceedings for you in whole or in part.
Respondent (Antragsgegner / Antragsgegnerin): This is the person or body against whom a court application is directed.
Right to be heard (Rechtliches Gehör): You must generally be given the opportunity to comment on the facts and results of evidence on which the court intends to base its decision.

S

Service (Zustellung): A court letter or decision is officially delivered to you in the way provided by law. The date of service can be decisive for when a time limit begins.
Settlement (Vergleich): The parties reach an agreement on the subject matter of the dispute in whole or in part and thereby end the dispute accordingly.
Social court – SG (Sozialgericht): In many social law disputes, the social court is the first court level.
Statement (Stellungnahme): You explain in writing or orally your view on certain statements, documents or questions.
Statement of grounds (Klagebegründung): Here you explain why you think the contested decision is wrong and which facts or legal reasons should be taken into account in your view.
Subject matter of the dispute (Streitgegenstand): This means which specific legal claim or decision is the subject of the court proceedings.
Subject of the action (Klagegegenstand / Gegenstand des Klagebegehrens): This means what exactly the court is to decide on.
Summons (Ladung): The court tells you when and where a hearing takes place and whether you have to attend in person.
Supporter (Beistand): Under certain conditions, another person can accompany and support you at a hearing.
Suspensive effect (Aufschiebende Wirkung): A decision is provisionally not enforced while a legal remedy has effect. Whether there is suspensive effect depends on the procedure.

T

Taking of evidence (Beweiserhebung): The court clarifies a question that is important for the decision, for example through documents, witness statements, information or expert opinions.
Time limit (Frist): By a certain date, something must or should be submitted to the court or done.
Time limit for appeal (Berufungsfrist): A statutory time limit generally applies for lodging an appeal. In social court proceedings, it is usually one month after service of the judgment.
Time limit for appeal on points of law (Revisionsfrist): An appeal on points of law that has been allowed must generally be lodged within one month and its grounds submitted within two months.
Time limit for the action (Klagefrist): In social court proceedings, the time limit for bringing an action is generally one month. If there was an objection procedure, it usually begins when the decision on the objection is announced.

U

Urgent proceedings / interim relief (Eilverfahren / einstweiliger Rechtsschutz): Proceedings in which a quick provisional court decision is applied for because the decision in normal court proceedings cannot be awaited.

V

Video hearing (Videoverhandlung): Under the legal requirements, an oral hearing can be held in such a way that one or more parties take part by video and audio link.

W

Withdrawal of the action (Klagerücknahme): The claimant declares that the action is not to be continued. In social court proceedings, an action can generally be withdrawn until the judgment becomes final.
Witness (Zeuge / Zeugin): A person who can tell the court about their own perceptions of an event that is important for the proceedings.
Witness statement (Zeugenaussage): This is what a witness tells the court about their own perceptions.
Written submission (Schriftsatz): A written submission to the court, for example a statement of grounds, a statement or a reply.

Typical sentences – in plain words

Sometimes the problem is not a single technical term but a whole sentence.

Here you will find typical wording from actions, court proceedings and appeal proceedings – translated into plainer language. The sentences are quoted in German, the way they appear in your letter.

The plain translation is meant to help you understand a sentence better. What it means in your particular case always depends on the context. This is not legal advice.

Is a phrase missing? Then send us an email at kontakt@kein-einzelfall.de. We will add to the list and let it keep growing together with you.

Together, KE!N EINZELFALL

„Die Klage ist zulässig.“: In plain words: The formal requirements for the court to examine the action are met.
„Die Klage ist unzulässig.“: In plain words: The court does not fully examine the substance of the case because a requirement for the court proceedings is missing.
„Die Klage ist begründet.“: In plain words: The court considers the action justified in substance, in whole or in part.
„Die Klage ist zulässig, aber unbegründet.“: In plain words: The action could be brought in this way, but the court does not consider the claim made to exist in substance.
„Die Klage wird abgewiesen.“: In plain words: The court does not uphold the action, or not in full.
„Der Klage wird stattgegeben.“: In plain words: The court decides in favour of the claimant, in whole or in part.
„Die Berufung ist zulässig und begründet.“: In plain words: The appeal could be lodged and is also successful in substance, in whole or in part.
„Die Berufung wird zurückgewiesen.“: In plain words: On the basis of the appeal, the next higher court does not change the contested decision.
„Die Revision wird zurückgewiesen.“: In plain words: The court hearing the appeal on points of law sees no sufficient reason to change the contested decision as requested.
„Die Berufung wird zugelassen.“: In plain words: The decision can be reviewed by the next higher court under the legal requirements.
„Die Revision wird zugelassen.“: In plain words: The decision can be reviewed by the Federal Social Court under the legal requirements.
„Die Revision wird nicht zugelassen.“: In plain words: With its decision, the court does not directly open the way to an appeal on points of law.
„Die Revision wird wegen grundsätzlicher Bedeutung zugelassen.“: In plain words: The court believes that the case contains a fundamentally important question of law that can be clarified by the highest court.
„Die Beschwerde ist unzulässig.“: In plain words: The requirements for the court to examine the substance of the complaint are not met.
„Die Beschwerde ist unbegründet.“: In plain words: The complaint could be examined but is unsuccessful in substance.
„Die Sache ist entscheidungsreif.“: In plain words: The court believes that enough information is available to make a decision.
„Der Sachverhalt ist aufgeklärt.“: In plain words: The court believes that the facts needed for its decision have been sufficiently clarified.
„Weitere Ermittlungen von Amts wegen sind nicht erforderlich.“: In plain words: The court believes that it does not need to investigate the facts any further.
„Die Sache weist keine besonderen tatsächlichen oder rechtlichen Schwierigkeiten auf.“: In plain words: The court does not consider the case particularly difficult, either regarding the facts or the legal questions.
„Das Gericht entscheidet durch Gerichtsbescheid.“: In plain words: Under the legal requirements, the social court decides without an oral hearing by court decision (Gerichtsbescheid).
„Es wird Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme gegeben.“: In plain words: You can still comment on certain documents, statements or legal questions.
„Die Beteiligten werden hierzu angehört.“: In plain words: Before the court decides further, the parties can give their view.
„Es wird Beweis erhoben durch …“: In plain words: The court wants to clarify an open question with the means of evidence named, for example an expert opinion or a witness statement.
„Der Beweisantrag wird abgelehnt.“: In plain words: The court does not follow the application to take a particular piece of evidence.
„Das Gericht sieht von einer weiteren Beweiserhebung ab.“: In plain words: The court believes that no further evidence is needed.
„Nach Überzeugung des Gerichts …“: In plain words: After evaluating the available information and evidence, the court has come to this conclusion.
„Die Kammer folgt den Ausführungen des Sachverständigen.“: In plain words: The court considers the professional assessment in the expert opinion convincing and takes it into account in its decision.
„Das Gutachten ist schlüssig und nachvollziehbar.“: In plain words: The court considers the structure, reasoning and conclusions of the expert opinion understandable and free of contradictions.
„Von einer persönlichen Anhörung wird abgesehen.“: In plain words: The court wants to continue or decide for now without hearing you in person.
„Das persönliche Erscheinen wird angeordnet.“: In plain words: The court requires you to attend the hearing on the date stated in person, unless the order is cancelled or changed.
„Die Sache wird vertagt.“: In plain words: The hearing or decision is postponed to a later date.
„Das Verfahren ruht.“: In plain words: The proceedings are temporarily not pursued but are not meant to end for good.
„Das Verfahren wird ausgesetzt.“: In plain words: The court interrupts the proceedings temporarily, for example because another question has to be clarified first.
„Das Verfahren wird eingestellt.“: In plain words: The court proceedings are ended without necessarily making a decision on the substance of the original dispute.
„Der Rechtsstreit ist erledigt.“: In plain words: The court no longer has to decide on the original dispute.
„Die Hauptsache ist erledigt.“: In plain words: The actual subject of the dispute no longer exists or no longer needs to be decided.
„Die Klage wird zurückgenommen.“: In plain words: The claimant declares that they do not want to continue the action.
„Das Anerkenntnis wird angenommen.“: In plain words: The other side has acknowledged a claim and the claimant accepts this acknowledgement.
„Der Vergleich erledigt den Rechtsstreit.“: In plain words: The parties have reached an agreement. The court no longer has to decide on the points of dispute that this settles.
„Der Antrag auf einstweiligen Rechtsschutz wird abgelehnt.“: In plain words: The court does not make the provisional decision applied for.
„Der Antrag auf Erlass einer einstweiligen Anordnung ist begründet.“: In plain words: The court considers the requirements for the provisional arrangement applied for to be met.
„Ein Anordnungsanspruch ist glaubhaft gemacht.“: In plain words: In the urgent proceedings, the court considers it sufficiently likely that the claim made could exist.
„Ein Anordnungsgrund ist glaubhaft gemacht.“: In plain words: The court considers it sufficiently credible that a quick court decision is necessary.
„Ein Anordnungsgrund ist nicht glaubhaft gemacht.“: In plain words: The court does not see the particular urgency for a provisional decision as sufficiently shown.
„Die aufschiebende Wirkung wird angeordnet.“: In plain words: The contested decision may generally not be carried out any further for the time being.
„Die aufschiebende Wirkung wird wiederhergestellt.“: In plain words: A suspensive effect that had previously ceased or been removed is restored by the court.
„Die Kosten des Verfahrens trägt …“: In plain words: The court determines who has to bear the costs of the proceedings.
„Außergerichtliche Kosten sind nicht zu erstatten.“: In plain words: The parties generally do not get their own costs incurred outside the court reimbursed by the other side.
„Die Beteiligten tragen ihre außergerichtlichen Kosten selbst.“: In plain words: Each side pays its own costs of this kind.
„Die Kosten werden gegeneinander aufgehoben.“: In plain words: In principle each side bears its own costs; the exact effect depends on the court's decision on costs.
„Der Streitwert wird festgesetzt auf …“: In plain words: The court sets the monetary value that is decisive for certain cost calculations in the proceedings.
„Die Entscheidung bleibt dem Schlussurteil vorbehalten.“: In plain words: The court does not yet decide finally on this point, but only with a later final decision.
„Das Urteil ist vorläufig vollstreckbar.“: In plain words: The decision can already be carried out under the conditions stated, even though it may not yet be final.

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