Your Situation

Whether You’re Suing or Being Sued — We’ve Got You Covered

You Need to Sue in Germany

A German company owes you money, breached a contract, or violated your rights. You need a German-admitted attorney to bring your claim before a German court or arbitration tribunal.

Typical cases: Unpaid invoices, contract breaches, IP infringement, distributor disputes, warranty claims, shareholder conflicts, enforcing foreign judgments.

You’re Being Sued in Germany

You’ve received a German lawsuit, a demand letter, or a court order. You need to respond quickly — deadlines are strict, and missing them can mean a default judgment against you.

Typical cases: Employee dismissal claims, product liability, unfair competition allegations, regulatory proceedings, contractual disputes, injunctions.
Disputes We Handle

From Demand Letter to Final Judgment — and Everything Between

We represent international businesses across the full spectrum of German civil and commercial litigation.

Commercial Disputes Core

Breach of contract, trade disputes, distributor and agency claims, unfair competition, product liability. We represent you before Landgericht commercial chambers.

Employment Litigation Specialist

Wrongful dismissal claims, severance disputes, non-compete enforcement, works council conflicts. Certified specialist attorney (Fachanwalt) since 2011.

Contract Enforcement Core

Enforcing or defending against claims under German contract law (BGB/HGB). Payment claims, warranty disputes, service agreements, licensing conflicts.

Shareholder Disputes Core

Minority shareholder protection, squeeze-outs, breach of fiduciary duties, corporate governance disputes, GmbH and AG shareholder conflicts.

Arbitration ICC · DIS · LCIA

International and domestic arbitration proceedings seated in Germany. ICC, DIS, LCIA rules. Enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention.

Judgment Enforcement Cross-Border

Enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Germany. Exequatur proceedings. Attachment of German assets. Strategies when direct enforcement isn’t available.

How It Works

From First Contact to Resolution — in Four Steps

We make German litigation straightforward for international clients. No surprises, no language barriers.

1

Free Case Assessment

Tell us about your dispute. We assess the merits, jurisdiction, and likely costs — at no charge. Usually within 48 hours.

2

Strategy & Cost Estimate

We outline your legal options, success probability, and provide a transparent cost estimate based on German statutory fees.

3

We Handle Everything

Court filings, hearings, negotiations, expert witnesses — we manage the entire proceeding. You get regular English updates.

4

Resolution & Enforcement

Judgment, settlement, or arbitral award — we see it through to the end, including enforcement of the outcome if needed.

Client Testimonials

What Our International Clients Say

Trusted by businesses across the US, UK, and Europe to handle their most critical disputes in Germany.

We had a complex trade dispute with a German distributor and needed someone who could navigate the Landgericht in Frankfurt efficiently. The team resolved the case in just four months — far faster than we expected. Their strategic approach and clear English communication made the entire process seamless.

James R.
General Counsel, US Technology Company
San Francisco

When we were served with a lawsuit from a former German partner, we had no idea where to start. They secured a deadline extension, built a strong defense, and the claim was ultimately dismissed. We never had to appear in Germany — everything was handled remotely and entirely in English.

Sarah M.
CEO, UK SaaS Startup
London

As a minority shareholder in a German GmbH, I felt powerless against the majority. The team understood both the legal and the business dynamics, enforced my information rights, and negotiated a fair buyout. Their expertise in shareholder disputes was exactly what I needed.

Michael K.
Managing Director, US Manufacturing Corp.
Chicago
5000+
Clients Represented
5.0 ★
Client Rating
20+
Years Experience
100%
English Communication
Free Tools

Assess Your Case — Before You Hire a Lawyer

Your Attorney
Fatih Bektas — Attorney-at-Law & Litigation Specialist (Rechtsanwalt)

Fatih Bektas

Attorney-at-Law & Litigation Specialist (Rechtsanwalt)
APOS Legal · Heidelberg & Berlin
★★★★★
5.0 rating · 5000+ clients represented

Fatih has spent 20+ years litigating in German courts — and 10 years running FinTech companies as CEO and board member. That dual perspective means he doesn’t just know the law; he understands what’s at stake for your business. He fights strategically, communicates clearly, and delivers results.

Certified specialist in employment law (Fachanwalt) since 2011 and qualified mediator, he resolves disputes through whichever path is fastest — litigation, arbitration, or negotiation.

  • Attorney-at-Law
  • Certified Mediator
  • 20+ Years in German Courts
  • Former FinTech CEO & Board Member
  • Deutscher Anwaltverein
  • BVAU Founding Member
“Loyalty is a two-way street. If I’m asking for it from you, then you’re getting it from me.”
Frequently Asked Questions

What International Clients Ask Us Most

To sue in Germany, you need a German-admitted attorney (Rechtsanwalt) — foreign lawyers cannot represent you in German courts. The process starts with a demand letter, followed by filing a statement of claim (Klageschrift) at the competent court. For claims above €10,000, attorney representation is mandatory. German litigation has no discovery, no jury trials, and follows the “loser pays” principle. We handle everything in English — you never need to deal with German courts directly.
If you’ve been served with a German lawsuit, you typically have 2–4 weeks to respond. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment (Versäumnisurteil) against you. You need a German-admitted attorney immediately. We can file your defense, request deadline extensions, and represent you through the entire proceeding — all communication with you in English.
First-instance proceedings at a Regional Court (Landgericht) typically take 6–12 months. Complex cases with expert witnesses may take 12–18 months. Appeals add another 6–12 months. Interim injunctions can be obtained within days. German litigation is generally faster than US or UK proceedings.
German litigation costs are calculated from statutory fee schedules based on the amount in dispute — not hourly billing. Germany follows the “loser pays” rule. For a €100,000 dispute, total first-instance costs typically range from €8,000–€15,000. This makes German litigation far more predictable and usually cheaper than US litigation.
US judgments are generally not directly enforceable in Germany — there is no bilateral enforcement treaty. You need a separate enforcement proceeding (Exequaturverfahren) where a German court reviews the judgment. UK judgments post-Brexit require enforcement under the Hague Convention where applicable. We advise on the fastest and most cost-effective strategy.
Yes, if your contract contains an arbitration clause. Germany is a signatory to the New York Convention. We represent international clients in ICC, DIS, and LCIA arbitration proceedings seated in Germany, as well as in enforcement of foreign arbitral awards before German courts.
The Amtsgericht (Local Court) handles disputes up to €10,000. The Landgericht (Regional Court) handles claims above €10,000 and all commercial matters — attorney representation is mandatory here. Commercial disputes go to specialized chambers (Kammern für Handelssachen). Appeals go to the Oberlandesgericht and ultimately the Bundesgerichtshof.
In most cases, no. Your German attorney represents you in court, and personal appearance is rarely required. Video conferencing is increasingly accepted. We handle all filings, court appearances, and procedural matters on your behalf — you stay informed through regular English-language updates.
Insights & Guides

German Litigation — Explained for International Businesses

Practical guides on German court procedure, costs, and strategy for US and UK companies.

Contact

Tell Us About Your Case

Fill out the form below and we’ll assess your situation. Free of charge, usually within 48 hours.

What happens next?

After you submit your inquiry, we review the details and get back to you with an initial assessment — including whether you have a viable claim, which court would handle your case, and an estimate of costs and timeline.

Response time: We typically respond within 48 hours on business days. If you’ve been served with a German lawsuit, mention it in your message — we prioritize urgent deadline matters.

Include any deadlines you’re aware of, especially if you’ve received a German court document.

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Your data will be processed solely for the purpose of responding to your inquiry.

Get Started

Tell Us About Your Case

Send us the details of your dispute — we’ll assess the merits, estimate costs, and outline your options. Free of charge, usually within 48 hours.

Book Free Case Assessment →

Been served with a German lawsuit? Response deadlines are typically 2–4 weeks. Contact us immediately — we can request extensions while preparing your defense.