Court Preparation Tool

Procedure guides

Filing a civil claim with the Amtsgericht: the format the court office expects

A page-by-page walkthrough of a self-prepared civil claim for a German Amtsgericht: caption, numbering, language and the copies that have to be filed.

Federal Republic of Germany

How it works

  1. Build the caption: name the Amtsgericht, leave the case number as a placeholder and list both parties with a full address for service.
  2. Set the page: A4, 2.5 cm margin on all four sides, Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing.
  3. Number the paragraphs continuously from 1 and put one event with its date and amount in each paragraph.
  4. Sign in ink at the end, print your name, address and telephone number beneath the signature, and add an index of attachments numbered continuously.
  5. Assemble the copies: one original for the court and one copy for each respondent, and budget for the advance on court fees.

Next

Does the claim have to be written in German?

Yes. Under GVG § 184 the language of the courts is German. A pleading in another language does not as a rule preserve a deadline, so file a German version. Attachments in another language should come with a translation.

Do I need a lawyer before the Amtsgericht?

Before the Amtsgericht representation by a Rechtsanwalt is not prescribed; you may file the claim yourself. That does not apply before the Landgericht. This tool does not assess what you should argue.

How many copies are needed?

One signed original for the court and one copy for each respondent. ZPO § 133 requires an additional copy for the court file.

Format requirements for this court

Documents are filed on A4 paper, 210 by 297 mm. ZPO § 130 (Inhalt der Schriftsätze; Nummer 6 verlangt die Unterschrift)
A margin of 2.5 cm is left free on all four sides of the page. ZPO § 130 (Inhalt der Schriftsätze; Nummer 6 verlangt die Unterschrift)
Paragraphs are numbered continuously upwards from 1. ZPO § 129 (Vorbereitende Schriftsätze)
The statement of claim must be signed by hand by the person who drafted it (ZPO § 130 No. 6). ZPO § 130 (Inhalt der Schriftsätze; Nummer 6 verlangt die Unterschrift)
The language of the courts is German; a pleading in another language does not as a rule preserve a deadline and a German version has to be supplied (GVG § 184). GVG § 184 (Gerichtssprache)
File one signed original and one copy for each respondent; ZPO § 133 requires a further copy for the court file. ZPO § 133 (Abschriften der Schriftsätze und Anlagen)
The Amtsgericht is as a rule competent for money claims where the amount in dispute does not exceed 5000 EUR. GVG § 23 (Zuständigkeit des Amtsgerichts in bürgerlichen Rechtsstreitigkeiten)

Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.

Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.