The German Federal Judges Association (DRB) has issued a stark warning to state governments, demanding a significantly accelerated timeline for the digitization of the judicial system by 2026. The current pace, according to DRB Secretary General Sven Rebehn, is cripplingly slow, with hundreds of thousands of working hours annually dedicated to the laborious task of scanning documents – letters from plaintiffs, defendants and authorities – and converting them into PDF format for electronic case files. The antiquated processes extend to even more absurd measures, with some courts reportedly resorting to mailing or delivering video files on USB sticks due to a lack of electronic submission capabilities.
The DRB’s criticism was particularly pointed towards Saxony-Anhalt, which has failed to meet deadlines for implementing electronic case management. Rebehn condemned the state’s progress as a “digital desert” despite nearly a decade of preparation, highlighting a systemic failure to modernize. The federal government’s recent decision to grant states a reprieve on mandatory electronic file implementation, he argued, underscores the extent of past shortcomings within the judicial infrastructure. This concession, rather than fostering progress, serves as a revealing indicator of delayed action.
Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating in an interview with Handelsblatt that systemic failures are eroding public trust. She pledged to accelerate digitization efforts, emphasizing the need for “tangible progress” through projects like a shared judicial cloud. Hubig’s acknowledgement indirectly implies that previously allocated resources have not yielded adequate results, suggesting potential inefficiencies in implementation or a lack of strategic oversight.
The government intends to inject a substantial €50 million in federal funding into state judicial systems this year, with an increase to €70 million annually from 2027 to 2029, signaling a renewed commitment financially. However, the DRB’s critique raises serious questions about whether this investment, alongside the acknowledged need for a comprehensive overhaul, will be sufficient to overcome the deeply entrenched bureaucratic inertia that has hampered modernization efforts for years. The true test will be the demonstrable impact of these funds on court efficiency and accessibility, not merely the deployment of new technologies. The situation exposes a concerning disconnect between political ambition and operational reality within Germany’s legal framework.
