Costs in Germany
Costs of proceedings at first instance or appeal
Case study |
Proceedings at first instance |
Appeal |
Initial court fees |
Initial court fees |
|
Case A |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
Case B |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
Lawyer, bailiff and expert fees
Case study |
Lawyer |
Bailiff |
Expert |
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Is there a requirement for legal representation? |
Average costs |
Is there a requirement for a bailiff to be involved? |
Costs following judgment |
Is there a requirement to call an expert? |
Costs |
|
Case A |
Yes |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
No |
Depends on type of enforcement measure |
At the court’s discretion |
Based on hourly rates. Levels vary according to area of activity, but the maximum rate is EUR 100, plus expenses and VAT |
Case B |
Yes |
Depends on amount of maintenance claimed |
No |
Depends on type of enforcement measure |
At the court’s discretion |
Based on hourly rates. Levels vary according to area of activity, but the maximum rate is EUR 100, plus expenses and VAT |
Cost of covering witnesses’ expenses
Case study |
Witnesses’ expenses |
|
Are witnesses entitled to reimbursement of their expenses? |
Costs |
|
Case A |
Yes |
Up to EUR 17 per hour for earnings lost plus travel and other expenses |
Case B |
Yes |
Up to EUR 17 per hour for earnings lost plus travel and other expenses |
Costs of legal aid and reimbursement of other expenses
Case study |
Legal aid |
Reimbursement |
|
What are the conditions? |
Can the prevailing party request the award of litigation costs? |
Are there instances where legal aid must be paid back? |
|
Case A |
Depending on income and assets |
Yes |
If the person’s income and financial situation improve and in the case of payment by instalments. |
Case B |
Depending on income and assets |
Yes |
If the person’s income and financial situation improve and in the case of payment by instalments. |
Translation and interpretation costs
Case study |
Translation |
Interpretation |
Are there other costs relating to cross-border disputes? |
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When and on what conditions is translation required? |
Approximate cost |
When and on what conditions is interpretation required? |
Approximate cost |
Description |
|
Case A |
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Case B |
At the court’s discretion |
Generally EUR 1.55 per 55 characters, plus expenses and VAT |
At the court’s discretion |
EUR 70 per hour, plus expenses and VAT |
Costs of serving documents abroad |
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