The Federal Supreme Court (BGH) was founded on October 1, 1950 and is the final instance in civil and criminal proceedings in Germany. The BGH mainly decides on appeals against judgments of the regional courts and higher regional courts. Like any appellate court, it does not usually take evidence - unlike an appeal court - but merely decides whether the judgment of the regional or higher regional court is based on errors of law. In addition to President Bettina Limperg, there are 128 judges at the Federal Court of Justice, including 17 presiding judges. They exercise their judicial functions in the twelve civil senates, the five criminal senates, the eight special senates and as investigating judges.
Since its foundation, the Federal Court of Justice has been located on the approximately four-hectare site of the former Hereditary Grand Ducal Palace, which is situated in the south-west of Karlsruhe city center. Built at the end of the 19th century, the palace also houses Germany's largest court library and a museum of legal history.
On the first floor is a 2.40 m high, triangular stele made of gold-plated brass as a memorial to the victims of Nazi justice. It bears the two inscriptions "Justice exalts a nation" (Book of Proverbs 14:34) and "In memory of the women and men who were wronged in the name of the German people". The stele was designed by the graphic artist and designer Otl Aicher, a brother-in-law of the siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, who were executed for their resistance against the Nazi regime following a death sentence by the People's Court in 1943.
Further information can be found at the Federal Court of Justice.Â
Tip
If you register, you can experience the Federal Court of Justice from a completely different perspective as part of a guided tour.
