local court
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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.
dish / court
'das Gericht' and 'das Amtsgericht' both belong to the field of law. 'Gericht' is a general word for a state institution that makes decisions in legal cases. 'Amtsgericht' is a specific type of court in Germany, usually the lowest level. The words can be confused because an Amtsgericht is also a Gericht. You say 'Gericht' when the exact type is not important. You say 'Amtsgericht' when this specific institution is meant, for example in minor criminal matters or many civil cases.
Für die Erbsache müssen wir morgen zum Amtsgericht.
We have to go to the local court tomorrow for the inheritance matter.
Wenn die Firma nicht zahlt, geht der Fall vor Gericht.
If the company does not pay, the case will go to court.