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—codes, titles of many statutes, names of courts, and 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 codes and other legal publications available in print at the Law Library, links to the library catalog records are provided. Links to materials 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 KK985.51896 .A6 P35 2018 |
Civil Code English translation: online |
| BGH | Bundesgerichtshof | Federal Court of Justice (Federal High Court) |
| BGBI | Bundesgesetzblatt Online 1949–2022; 2023–present Print (1949–1984); microfiche (1981–2008) |
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 |
The Basic Law (Federal Constitution) English translation: online; print |
| GmbH | Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Limited Liability Company (U.S. equivalent) Private Limited Company (U.K. equivalent) |
| HGB | Handelsgesetzbuch Online; print |
Commercial Code English translation: online; print |
| NJ | Neue Justiz | New Justice (prominent law journal) |
| NJW | Neue Juristische Wochenschrift Print (1947–present) |
New Legal Weekly (prominent law journal) |
| StGB | Strafgesetzbuch Online; print |
Criminal Code English translation: online; print |
| StPO | Strafprozeßordnung Online; print |
Code of Criminal Procedure English translation: online |
| ZPO | Zivilprozeßordnung Online; print |
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.