April 1st 2025 is the start of a new era for the German judicial system: Specialized courts with English speaking judges. The new court avenue offers competitive litigation services for international commercial disputes. Similar to the corresponding institutions in hubs like London and Paris, this court avenue is open to the business world only.

The experience from the testing phase of the so-called “Stuttgart Model” is promising. What can businesses expect from the new system of Commercial Chambers on district court level and the new Commercial Court?

Benefits:
Faster decision making: An average duration of a lawsuit of 6,5 months. Specialised judges with experience in international disputes, case- tailored proceedings, modern technology
English language: on demand and for every aspect of a lawsuit, submissions, pleading in court, evidence – you name it.
Modern tools: online trial, electronic filing

Conclusion:
Going to a German state court is now a more suitable alternative to arbitration and to other means of dispute resolution. And the judiciary in Stuttgart has plenty of experience with international disputes, whether it is M&A, shareholder disputes or trade related.

Questions?
Whether or not Stuttgart courts are suited to potentially assist with a particular business relationship, is a matter we often give advice on to our international client base and is regularly subject of new enquiries. So, please feel free to contact us in this regard.

Finally, please stay tuned:
We will post follow-ups on the particulars of this new court avenue, such as the applicable thresholds in terms of the value of the claim(s), different entry levels (first in-stance) and appeal competence (second instance).
We will also address how to include this new court avenue (jurisdiction and forum) into your strategy, f. ex. as part of your dispute resolution clause, or, if already in need for a solution, by way of subsequent agreement.

Thank you very much for your attention.