The Federal Constitutional Court, the Federal Court of Justice and the Federal Public Prosecutor General's Office are based in Karlsruhe. Decisions with the title "Karlsruhe judgment" are handed down here.
The Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) is the highest German court. The Federal Constitutional Court is regarded as the guardian of the constitution, as it reviews the actions of all other state bodies, but is also part of the judicial power of the state in the area of constitutional and international law.
The Federal Constitutional Court has been based in Karlsruhe since it was founded in 1951. It was housed in the Prinz-Max-Palais until 1969, after which it moved to the building designed by Paul Baumgarten on Schlossplatz. Due to a lack of space, it was extended by Berlin architect Michael Schrölkamp in 2007 and retained its open design to continue to symbolize democratic transparency. The steel framework of the façade, which is reminiscent of a kind of shelf, is particularly striking. The rational geometric shape of the building thus stands in stark contrast to its surrounding nature, the botanical garden.
The court is made up of two senates, each with eight members. One half is elected by the Bundestag, the other by the Bundesrat, each with a two-thirds majority. The term of office is twelve years. Re-election is not possible.
Since 2007, the scientific staff have been housed in the extension with a green façade designed by Berlin architect Michael Schrölkamp. The Baumgarten building was completely renovated between 2011 and 2014.
