Guides: German Legal Research Guide: Secondary Sources: Books & Treatises

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Getting Started with Secondary Sources

If you are new to German legal research or are unfamiliar with a particular aspect of German law, start your research with a secondary source. In addition to providing background information, explanatory analysis, and commentary, secondary sources will help you to identify codes, statutes, and other primary legal materials that are relevant to your topic.

The Georgetown Law Library’s collection includes secondary sources on German law in English and in German. These materials have call numbers that begin with the letters KK and are shelved on the fourth floor of the Williams Library. Listed below is a selection of introductory sources on German Law. In the column to the right, you will find a selection of subject-specific secondary sources.

Introductory Sources in English

The following English-language resources provide general introductions to German law.

German Legal System and Laws (4th ed.)
Call Number: INTL KK147 .F68 2010
In addition to an overview of the German legal system and its historical development, this introductory volume covers the sources German law and legal methodology as well as the core areas of substantive law (both public and private). Extracts from the Grundgesetz (Germany’s constitution) and a glossary of German legal terms are also included.
The German Legal System and Legal Language: A General Survey Together with Notes and German Vocabulary (6th ed.)
Call Number: INTL KK147 .F57 2015
This practical guide, written by a former practitioner, provides English-speaking readers with a systematic survey of the main areas of German public and private law. It includes a a list of abbreviations and a vocabulary of selected words and phrases in German and Latin, which help to clarify the meanings of key legal concepts and principles.
Introduction to German Law (2nd ed.)
Call Number: INTL KK147 .I58 2005
Each chapter of this introductory survey is devoted to a particular aspect of German law and is written by an academic expert in the field. Topics covered include constitutional law, administrative law, corporations and partnerships, the German Commercial Code, contracts, labor and employment law, tort liability, property law, and family law. Includes a detailed bibliography for each subject, making this an excellent starting point for identifying subject-specific secondary sources.
An Introduction to German Law (6th ed.)
Call Number: INTL KK147 .R613 2017
The author provides a comprehensive overview of German law, helping readers to grasp the main principles of both public and private law while familiarizing them with the structure of the legal system. In doing so, he places the development of German law firmly within the context of the broader European legal tradition.
Introduction to German Legal Methods (10th ed.)
Call Number: REF KK195 .Z56513 2008
This is an English translation of the most recent edition of Juristische Methodenlehre (Legal Methodology), a highly influential treatise by the German legal scholar Reinhold Zippelius. Its purpose is to engage civil law students in the processes by which one learns the law and legal reasoning. It offers valuable insights into how German lawyers think and understand the law.

How to Find Books on German Law

To locate books on German law in the Georgetown Law Library’s collection, use the library’s Advanced Search interface and select Law Library Catalog.

In the first line, search for Germany in the Subject field. In the second line, enter a keyword or exact phrase. For a broader search, use the default Any field. For a narrower search, select Title as the search field. Use the filters on the right to restrict by date. For example: