local court
Loading your saved state.
local court
In Germany, the lowest level of ordinary jurisdiction, responsible for most civil and criminal cases.
Er musste wegen einer kleinen Streitigkeit vor das Amtsgericht.
He had to go before the local court because of a minor dispute.
The word is made up of 'das Amt' (office/administrative district) and 'das Gericht' (court). Here, an 'Amt' is an administrative district, so the Amtsgericht is the court responsible for a particular district.
Das Amtsgericht Berlin-Mitte ist für diesen Stadtteil zuständig.
The Berlin-Mitte local court is responsible for this district.
A distinction is made between 'vor das Amtsgericht ziehen' (to take a case to the local court; accusative, for the action) and 'vor dem Amtsgericht stehen' (to stand before the local court; dative, for the location).
Er musste wegen der Anklage vor dem Amtsgericht erscheinen.
He had to appear before the local court because of the charge.
Local courts are typically responsible for civil disputes involving lower amounts in dispute and minor criminal offenses.
Der Streit mit dem Nachbarn über den Lärm landete vor dem Amtsgericht.
The dispute with the neighbor about the noise ended up before the local court.
regional court
Both courts decide civil and criminal cases in Germany. The Amtsgericht is usually responsible for less significant cases, while the Landgericht may be responsible for larger or more serious cases. Amtsgericht is therefore more appropriate for a smaller case, and Landgericht for a larger one.
Wegen der geringeren Bedeutung des Falls wurde die Zivilsache vor dem Amtsgericht verhandelt.
Because the case was less significant, the civil matter was heard by the local court.
Wegen der größeren Bedeutung des Falls wurde die Zivilsache vor dem Landgericht verhandelt.
Because the case was more significant, the civil matter was heard by the regional court.
