Justice - Electronic files now at all courts in the country
For the first time, all courts in Baden-Württemberg are now working with electronic files. This makes the south-west the first federal state to introduce fully electronic case files across the board, as announced by the Ministry of Justice on Monday. It has now also been introduced at St. Blasien district court, the smallest court in the state. This means that the two higher regional courts, 17 regional courts and 108 district courts in Baden-Württemberg have now completely switched over to electronic file management in civil matters. Criminal cases are still being processed using paper files, but the e-file is increasingly being introduced here too.
"It is a big step towards a digital and citizen-friendly justice system," said Justice Minister Marion Gentges (CDU). "Files no longer have to be sent back and forth in paper form; fully electronic file management speeds up transmission and simplifies processing."
All courts and criminal prosecution authorities will be obliged to use electronic file management nationwide from 2026.
Read also:
- The completion of electronic file management in Baden-Württemberg's courts has been welcomed by local authorities as a significant stride towards a modern and citizen-friendly administration of justice.
- The Ministry of Justice in Berlin has commended the Southwest's transformation, applauding their commitment to transitioning from paper to digital files, which embodies the spirit of promoting justice in a digital era.
- The new e-file system in Baden-Württemberg not only benefits judges and lawyers but also paves the way for broader reforms in justice administration across other federal states in Germany.
- In the long term, the Ministry of Justice plans to extend the use of electronic file management beyond civil matters to criminal proceedings as well, aiming to standardize the justice system across Germany by 2026.
Source: www.stern.de
