Child and Youth Policy in Germany - Structures and Institutions > The Federal Order > The Legal System
The Legal System of the Federal Republic of Germany is laid down in constitutional law. But the legislation of the European Union is also applicable and so is international law. German law is primarily codified law governing almost all areas of life; and consequently legislation is now largely a matter of adapting and amending existing laws. The Judiciary is characterised by comprehensive legal protection and a high level of specialisation. The judiciary has five branches:

  • The “Courts of Justice (ordentliche Gerichte)” have jurisdiction in criminal matters, civil matters, matters of marriage and family law as well as non-contentious jurisdiction (e. g. matters involving the land register, probate and guardian­ship). The Courts of Justice are divided into four instances: the Local Court (Amtsgericht), the Regional Court (Landgericht), the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) and the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof).
  • The Labour Courts (Arbeitsgerichte) have jurisdiction in matters of private law, collective bargaining law and works constitution law. There are three instances in this branch of law: the Labour Court (Arbeitsgericht), the Higher Labour Court (Landesarbeitsgericht) and the Federal Labour Court (Bundes­arbeitsgericht).
  • The Administrative Courts (Verwaltungsgerichte) adjudicate all public-law cases pertaining to the area of administrative law. There are three instances: the Administrative Court (Verwaltungsgericht), the Higher Administrative Court/Court of Administrative Law (Oberverwaltungsgericht/Verwaltungsgerichts­hof) and the Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgerichtshof).
  • The Social Courts (Sozialgerichte) rule on disputes from the entire field of social security. There are three instances: the Social Court (Sozialgericht), a Higher Social Court (Landessozialgericht) and the Federal Social Court (Bundessozialgericht).
  • The Fiscal Courts (Finanzgerichte) handle cases involving taxes, duties and rates. This branch has two instances: the Fiscal Court (Finanzgericht) and the Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof).
The Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht,www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de) is not an element of the above-mentioned five branches of the judiciary. It is not only the supreme court of the Federation, but also a constitutional body adjudicating in constitutional disputes.