The German language is (in)famous for its lengthy, compound words, and German legal terminology is no exception. To simplify matters, German legal scholars and practitioners utilize a system of shorthand abbreviations and acronyms. For example, Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz, the German word for the law of administrative proceedings, is often abbreviated VwVfG.
This system of shorthand is by no means limited to abstract legal concepts. aw codes, the titles of many statutes, the names of courts, and the titles of many legal publications are all routinely abbreviated. As a result, those who do not read or speak German are likely to encounter a bewildering array of unfamiliar abbreviations and acronyms when researching German law.
Use the resources described below to help you quickly decipher some of the most frequently encountered German legal abbreviations and acronyms. For additional guidance, consult the Dictionaries and Legal Dictionaries section of this research guide.
The following table includes some of the most frequently encountered German legal abbreviations and acronyms, the German words and phrases they stand for, and their English translations. For law codes and other legal publications that are available in print at the Georgetown Law Library, the call number and a link to the relevant library catalog record are provided. If the library owns multiple editions of a print resource, the link will redirect to the most recent edition. Links to publications that are freely available online also are provided.
| Abbreviation/Acronym | German Term | English Term |
|---|---|---|
| BAG | Bundesarbeitsgericht | Federal Labor Court |
| BFH | Bundesfinanzhof | Federal Finance (Tax) Court |
| BGB | Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch Online Print: Call No. KK985.51896 .A6 P35 2018 |
Civil Code English translation online |
| BGH | Bundesgerichtshof | Federal Court of Justice (Federal High Court) |
| BGBI | Bundesgesetzblatt Online (1949–present): (Browse by date) Microfiche (1981–2008): Call No. KK10 1949 Micro Print (1949–1984): Call No. KK10 1949 |
Federal Law Gazette |
| BPG | Bundespantentgericht | Federal Patent Court |
| BSG | Bundessozialgericht | Federal Social Court |
| BVerfG | Bundesverfassungsgericht | Federal Constitutional Court |
| BVerwG | Bundesverwaltungsericht | Federal Administrative Court |
| GG | Grundgesetz Online Print: Call No. KK4444.3 .J37 2018 |
The Basic Law (Federal Constitution) English translation online English translation in print: Call No. KK4444.3.A613 2002 |
| GmbH | Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Limited Liability Company (U.S. equivalent) Private Limited Company (U.K. equivalent) |
| HGB | Handelsgesetzbuch Online Print: Call No. KK2045.51897 .H67 2016 |
Commercial Code English translation online English translation in print: Call No. KK2045.51897 .A52 2003 |
| NJ | Neue Justiz | New Justice (prominent law journal) |
| NJW | Neue Juristische Wochenschrift Print (1947–present): Call No. KK6 .N48 |
New Legal Weekly (prominent law journal) |
| StGB | Strafgesetzbuch Online Print: Call No. KK7975.51871 .A6 D73 2001 |
Criminal Code English translation online English translation in print: Call No. KK7989 .G47 2008 |
| StPO | Strafprozeßordnung Online Print: Call No. KK9405.51877 .A6 M497 2019 |
Code of Criminal Procedure English translation online |
| ZPO | Zivilprozeßordnung Online Print: Call No. KK3815.51877 .A6 A4 2019 |
Code of Civil Procedure English translation online |
The resources described below provide more comprehensive listings of German legal abbreviations and their meanings. Once you’ve deciphered the citation, search the Law Library’s online catalog to see if the source you’ve identified is available in print or in an electronic format. Don’t hesitate to ask a reference librarian if you need assistance.