Implementing Electronic Judicial Services: Covering the Additional Expenses for Bailiffs
In 2014, the remuneration order for court bailiffs was introduced, aiming to streamline the justice system. However, the ongoing costs associated with this digital shift, particularly those incurred due to technology advancements, are yet to be clarified.
Bongers, a notable figure in the field, has highlighted that the current remuneration does not cover additional costs resulting from technological advancements. This includes costs associated with the acquisition of necessary equipment and electronic legal communication.
In light of these unaccounted expenses, a new remuneration regulation is needed to address the additional costs incurred due to technology advancements. An official evaluation is necessary to determine one-time costs for acquisitions and office restructuring.
The justice system, like many others, must adapt to technology advancements. These changes have necessitated increased costs and effort. The acquisition of equipment and office restructuring are additional costs that need to be reimbursed.
However, the current status of reimbursing these additional costs for court bailiffs in Germany remains unclear. While Germany introduced electronic legal communication (Elektronischer Rechtsverkehr, ERV) in 2014 to streamline court and procedural communication digitally, the reimbursement of these additional costs varies by jurisdiction and the specific rules set out in cost regulations such as the Gerichtsvollzieherkostengesetz (GvKostG) and related court fee schedules.
As of mid-2025, it appears that courts and legal authorities are still adapting their reimbursement rules to fully integrate electronic communication costs. Additional costs specifically linked to bailiff services for electronic legal communication may require formal regulation or court decisions to be routinely reimbursable. Some additional administrative or technical costs might be absorbed by courts or passed on to parties depending on case specifics.
For authoritative and current details, consulting official German legal sources such as recent amendments to the Gerichtsvollzieherkostengesetz or official statements from the German Federal Ministry of Justice or the relevant state ministries would be necessary.
In summary, no concrete information from the current search results confirms the present rules or status of reimbursing bailiffs’ additional costs in Germany caused by electronic legal communication. The matter likely remains subject to ongoing legal clarifications and jurisdiction-specific rules.
- The ongoing costs incurred due to technology advancements, such as those related to business operations and finance, have not been adequately addressed in the current remuneration for court bailiffs, particularly in regard to electronic legal communication in the field of technology.
- A comprehensive review of the regulations is essential to establish a new remuneration system that covers necessary finance for technology costs, paving the way for a more efficient business model in the justice system.
