Federal Court of Justice
In general, the Federal Court of Justice works as an appellate court. It does not conduct its own fact-finding, in principle, but confines itself to the legal review of the decision of the lower court whose finding it is bound to, in principle. With regards to civil matters, the Federal Court of Justices deals mostly with remedies of appeals, appeals against denial of leave to appeal, and legal complaints. About 80 % of proceedings are appeals against denial of leave to appeal, initially seeking an approval of the appeal against a decision of the appeal court. Pursuant to the transitional regulation of Art. 26 no. 8 Introductory Act to the Code of Civil Procedure (EGZPO), such appeals against denial of leave to appeal are only allowed if the value of the complaint related to the appeal exceeds the amount of EUR 20,000.00.
Detailed information about composition and competencies of the individual Civil Chambers of the Federal Court of Justice and the number and the type as well as the statistical duration and chances for success of the different appeal proceedings are outlined on the Homepage of the Federal Court of Justice. Individual decisions and press releases of the Federal Court of Justice are also available there.