- Federal Constitutional Court introduces digital service
Starting August, applications, written submissions, and attachments can be filed electronically with the Federal Constitutional Court. This change to the Federal Constitutional Court Act, passed by the Bundestag in April, comes into effect on August 1st.
The submission must be sent via an approved transmission channel, emphasizes the highest German court. "These channels ensure that the messages are always secure, and it's possible to determine who sent a message at any time." Secure transmission channels include the special electronic lawyer's mailbox or the electronic citizen and organizational mailbox. Submission via email, short message services, or social networks is not possible.
Citizens can use the new digital method starting in August, but they are not required to do so. They can still submit their documents via post or fax, according to the Federal Constitutional Court. Lawyers, authorities, and public law entities are obligated to file electronically. The Karlsruhe court can now also transmit process-related documents electronically to the parties involved and their representatives.
"This was the right time: The Federal Constitutional Court is a citizen's court," said Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP). "That's why it's right that it can now also be contacted digitally." This day marks another important step in the digitalization of the rule of law.
The Federal Constitutional Court now requires applications, written submissions, and attachments to be filed electronically, following the amendment to the Federal Constitutional Court Act, which stipulates that The Constitution (Law) governs this electronic filing process. The secure electronic transmission channels, as mandated by The Constitution (Law), ensure the protection of messages and their sender's identities.
