The German justice system is embarking on a significant, albeit belated and uneven, digital overhaul with the nationwide rollout of the electronic case file (E-Akte). All but one of Germany’s 16 federal states are now committed to implementing the system across all courts and prosecution offices by the end of the year, according to a survey conducted by the “Deutsche Richterzeitung”. The move, initially slated for completion by 2025, is framed as crucial for integrating artificial intelligence-assisted tools, streamlining workflows and potentially paving the way for fully digitalized legal proceedings.
While hailed as a vital step toward modernizing the judiciary, the initiative exposes deep-seated structural challenges within the German legal infrastructure. Sven Rebehn, federal managing director of the German Judges’ Association (DRB), highlighted the persistent issue of a “fragmented IT landscape” hindering the development of cohesive, nationwide solutions. This inefficiency has contributed to the delayed implementation and underscores a historical lack of coordinated investment in judicial technology.
The recent commitment from the federal government to allocate an additional €210 million to accelerate digitalization, alongside the establishment of a “Rule of Law Pact” uniting federal and state authorities, signals a renewed focus on addressing these systemic weaknesses. However, the one-year extension granted to Saxony-Anhalt, which remains significantly behind in its digital transition – with zero courts or prosecution offices operating with leading-edge case file systems as of September – reveals the disparity in preparedness and execution across the various states.
The progress varies widely. In Lower Saxony, only a fraction of state prosecution offices, district courts and regional courts handling criminal matters had adopted the E-Akte by September. Schleswig-Holstein lagged with approximately 50% coverage for criminal justice proceedings as of late 2025. This uneven rollout raises serious concerns about equitable access to justice and the potential for creating a two-tiered system, where regions with more advanced digital infrastructure benefit disproportionately.
Critics argue that the current focus on infrastructure alone fails to address deeper issues of judicial efficiency and transparency. Simply digitizing existing processes does not guarantee improved outcomes; rather, it necessitates a fundamental reevaluation of legal procedures and a willingness to embrace innovative approaches to legal problem-solving. The success of the E-Akte initiative hinges not only on technical implementation but, crucially, on a commitment to ongoing evaluation and adaptation to ensure that it truly serves the interests of justice.
