������Ƶ

A Statement of Claim (Klageschrift) is the formal document that starts a legal case in German courts. It tells the court and the defendant exactly what you're suing for and why. Think of it as your official way of saying "here's what happened, here's how it harmed me, and here's what I want the court to do about it."

Under German civil procedure law (ZPO), your Statement of Claim must include specific details like your personal information, the exact amount of money or action you're seeking, and clear facts supporting your case. The court won't accept vague claims - you need to be precise about dates, amounts, and events that led to the dispute. Once filed, this document sets the scope of your entire legal proceeding.

File a Statement of Claim when someone owes you money, breaches a contract, or causes you damages that informal negotiations haven't resolved. For example, if a business partner hasn't paid for delivered goods, or a contractor left construction work unfinished despite multiple requests to complete it, this legal document starts your court case to recover what you're owed.

Timing matters in German courts - you need to file within the legal deadline (Verjährungsfrist) for your type of case, typically three years for most civil claims. Don't wait until the last minute, as gathering evidence and preparing a thorough Statement of Claim takes time. The sooner you file, the faster you can protect your rights and seek compensation.

• Standard Civil Claim: Used for monetary disputes, contract breaches, and property matters in German civil courts. Requires detailed facts and specific compensation amounts.
• Commercial Statement (Handelssachen): Filed in specialized commercial chambers for business-to-business disputes, focusing on trade relationships and corporate matters.
• Employment Claim (Arbeitsgerichtliche Klage): Tailored for workplace disputes, containing specific elements about employment relationships and labor law violations.
• Simplified Procedure Claim: Used for straightforward cases under €5,000, with streamlined requirements and faster processing.

• Legal Counsel: Attorneys draft and review Statements of Claim to ensure they meet German court requirements and present the strongest case possible.
• Claimants/Plaintiffs: Individuals or businesses seeking compensation or legal remedies through the German court system must file these documents to start proceedings.
• Courts: German judges and court officials process and evaluate Statements of Claim to determine case validity and jurisdiction.
• Defendants: Parties who receive the Statement of Claim must respond within set deadlines and prepare their defense.
• Legal Assistants: Help gather evidence, prepare documentation, and handle filing procedures with the court.

• Gather Documentation: Collect all relevant contracts, correspondence, invoices, and evidence supporting your claim.
• Identify Parties: List complete names, addresses, and legal identifiers of all involved parties, including your legal representatives.
• Calculate Damages: Determine exact amounts claimed, including interest calculations and court fees under German law.
• Timeline Creation: Document key dates and events chronologically, especially for statute of limitations purposes.
• Draft Preparation: Use our platform to generate a legally sound Statement of Claim that includes all mandatory elements required by German courts.
• Final Review: Check all facts, amounts, and legal grounds are clearly stated and properly supported.

• Court Details: Specify the competent German court and jurisdiction where you're filing the claim.
• Party Information: Full names, addresses, and legal status of both plaintiff and defendant.
• Claim Amount: Precise monetary value or specific relief sought, including interest calculations.
• Legal Grounds: Clear reference to relevant German laws or contractual provisions supporting your claim.
• Factual Background: Chronological presentation of essential facts and events leading to the dispute.
• Evidence List: Detailed index of all supporting documents and witness information.
• Relief Sought: Specific requests for court action, precisely worded according to German civil procedure rules.

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement (Zeugenerklärung) in German legal proceedings. While both documents play crucial roles in court cases, they serve distinct purposes and have different requirements.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal proceedings and outlines your entire case against someone, while a Witness Statement provides supporting evidence about specific facts or events.
• Legal Status: A Statement of Claim is a formal court document that starts your lawsuit, but a Witness Statement is supporting evidence used within an existing case.
• Content Requirements: Claims must include specific legal grounds, exact compensation amounts, and complete party details. Witness Statements focus on personal observations and direct knowledge of relevant events.
• Timing: You file a Statement of Claim at the beginning of proceedings, whereas Witness Statements can be submitted throughout the case as evidence.