German Judicial and Legal System

The legal system is based on principles of Roman law, and courts rely on a comprehensive system of legal codes rather than on precedents from prior cases as in the Anglo-Saxon tradition.

The Basic Law (constitution) is the primary basis of the legal system, but the laws of the European Union and the international community also are taken into consideration.

Defendants enjoy the presumption of innocence, the right to an attorney, and the right to appeal. Trial by jury is the norm, but judges hear some cases. Germany is less litigious than the United States.

In fact, Germany has only about 100,000 attorneys.