Legal glossary from A to Z
495 terms from letters, reminders, contracts and official notices, explained in plain language, with a reference to the official statutes. Tap at the top for the full-text search, or browse alphabetically.
A
- Absolute Unfitness to DriveFrom 1.1 per mille, conclusively unfit to drive.
- Acceptance of WorkApproving a work as being in line with the contract.
- AccessoryA movable item that serves the principal thing.
- Accused PersonA person being investigated for a criminal offense.
- Acknowledgment of DebtAcknowledging a debt on the merits.
- Acknowledgment of PaternityVoluntary acknowledgment of paternity.
- Acquisitive PrescriptionAcquiring ownership through long-term proprietary possession.
- Additional RequirementExtra need beyond the standard requirement.
- Adhesion ProcedureClaiming damages within the criminal trial itself.
- Administrative ActA sovereign decision by an authority in an individual case.
- Administrative DiscretionThe authority's room to make a choice.
- Administrative OffenseA violation punished by a fine (not a criminal offense).
- Adoption (Taking as a Child)Establishing a parent-child relationship.
- Advance Maintenance PaymentA state benefit when one parent pays no child support.
- Advance Payment of Operating CostsMonthly advance payment toward additional costs.
- Advance Power of AttorneyA power of attorney for the case of your own incapacity to act.
- Advance Tax PaymentAn advance payment toward the expected tax.
- Advanced Training SeminarMandatory seminar after an offense during the probationary period.
- Agency (Representation)Acting in another person's name with effect for them.
- Agency Without AuthorityActing for another without a mandate.
- Agent in PerformanceA helper in the performance of a contract.
- Agreement to Terminate a TenancyEnding the tenancy by mutual consent.
- Alternating Residence ModelThe child lives roughly half the time with each parent.
- Amount in DisputeThe monetary value of a dispute, which determines court and lawyer costs.
- Appeal (on Fact and Law)A legal remedy against a first-instance judgment.
- Appeal on Points of LawReview of a judgment only for legal errors.
- Application for ReviewCorrection of final social benefit decisions.
- Assessment Limitation PeriodPeriod within which taxes may be assessed.
- Assessment of CostsDetermining the recoverable litigation costs.
- AssignmentTransferring a claim to a new creditor.
- AssociationA union of people for a common purpose.
- Assumption of DebtAnother person takes the place of the debtor.
- Attachment (Garnishment)Access to an account, wages, or possessions to collect a titled claim.
- Attempt (Criminal Offense)An act begun but not completed.
- Avoidance of ContractUndoing a contract because you were deceived or mistaken.
B
- BAföGEducational support for pupils and students.
- Bailiff (Court Enforcement Officer)An official who enforces claims.
- Bank TransferCashless payment from account to account.
- Basic AccountA current account for everyone.
- Basic Income Support in Old AgeSubsistence support when the pension is small.
- Basic Security in Old AgeSubsistence support for older people and those with reduced earning capacity.
- Basic Tax-Free AllowanceThe portion of income that remains tax-free.
- Blocking PeriodSuspension of unemployment benefit as a sanction.
- Blood Alcohol Concentration (Per Mille)Measure of the alcohol content in the blood.
- Borrowing RateThe pure interest rate for the loan.
- Breach of DutyA violation of a duty from the obligation.
- Broker AgreementArranging a deal in return for a commission.
- Burden of ProofWho must prove a fact.
- Burden of Proof in a Disputed AuthorizationYou are not the one who has to prove that you did not agree.
- Business ExpensesExpenses caused by the business.
- Button SolutionThe order button must clearly read 'order with obligation to pay'.
C
- Capacity to Sue and Be SuedThe ability to conduct a lawsuit oneself.
- Capital Gains Tax (Flat-Rate Withholding Tax)Tax on interest, dividends, and price gains.
- Capping LimitMaximum limit for rent increases.
- Care Level (Pflegegrad)A classification of the need for care from 1 to 5.
- Categories of IncomeThe seven categories of taxable income.
- Cease-and-Desist DeclarationA promise to refrain from something in future, backed by a contractual penalty.
- Cease-and-Desist Notice (Abmahnung)A demand to stop a particular behavior.
- Cell Phone at the WheelProhibition of use without a hands-free system.
- Certificate of Good ConductA record of a person's criminal convictions.
- Certificate of InheritanceAn official proof that you are an heir.
- Child BenefitA monthly state payment for children.
- Child SupplementAdditional benefit for families with a low income.
- Child SupportSupport for a child, often based on the Duesseldorf Table.
- Child Tax AllowanceTax allowance for the child's minimum subsistence.
- Child's WelfareThe paramount standard in matters concerning children.
- Childcare MaintenanceMaintenance on account of childcare.
- Citizen's Benefit (Bürgergeld)Basic income support for job seekers (formerly Hartz IV).
- Civil Law Partnership (GbR)A union to pursue a purpose.
- Claim for Injunctive ReliefThe right to have someone refrain from disruptive behavior in future.
- Coercion in Road TrafficPunishable tailgating and braking to obstruct.
- Collection CostsCollection agency costs, capped by law.
- Collective Bargaining AgreementAgreement between a trade union and the employer side.
- Combination and ComminglingA change of ownership when things are joined together.
- Combined Divorce ProceedingsDivorce and related matters in one proceeding.
- Commercial RegisterA public register of merchants.
- Commercial Tenancy LawRental of business premises.
- Community of Accrued GainsThe statutory marital property regime.
- Community of HeirsSeveral heirs administer the estate jointly.
- Community of NeedPeople managing a household jointly under Buergergeld.
- Community of PropertyAssets become jointly owned.
- Compensation for Disadvantages (Marker Codes)Benefits for people with severe disabilities.
- Compensation for Pain and SufferingA monetary award for physical or emotional harm.
- Complaint (Interlocutory Appeal)A remedy against court orders, not against judgments.
- Comprehensive Vehicle InsuranceInsurance for damage to your own vehicle.
- Compulsory EnforcementThe forced enforcement of a titled claim.
- Compulsory ShareA minimum share of the estate for close relatives.
- Conciliation (Consumer Dispute Resolution)A free out-of-court way to settle a dispute.
- Conciliation HearingAn attempt at amicable settlement before the trial.
- Condition and Time LimitA transaction's effect depends on an event.
- Condominium FeeContributions of the condominium owners.
- Condominium ManagerManager of the community of condominium owners.
- Condominium OwnershipOwnership of an apartment in a multi-unit building.
- Consent (Data Protection)Voluntary agreement to the processing of data.
- Consent to Advertising (Newsletter)Promotional emails only with consent.
- ConsumerA private individual acting outside a trade or profession.
- Consumer Advice Center (Verbraucherzentrale)An independent advisory body for consumers.
- Consumer LoanLoan to consumers with special protection.
- Contact GuardianshipSupport for carrying out contact.
- Contesting PaternityCourt removal of paternity.
- Continued PayContinued wages during illness, for up to six weeks.
- Continued Payment of WagesWages during illness for up to six weeks.
- Continuing ObligationA contract with ongoing performance (for example subscription, rental).
- Contract for WorkA contract for producing a specific result.
- Contract for Work and MaterialsProducing and delivering movable goods.
- Contract of InheritanceA contractually binding arrangement of the estate.
- Contractual PenaltyAn agreed penalty payment for a breach of contract, which must be reasonable.
- Contribution Assessment CeilingUpper limit for social insurance contributions.
- Controller (Data Protection)The party that decides on the data processing.
- ConveyanceAgreement on the transfer of ownership of real estate.
- CookiesStorage of data on the end device.
- CopyrightProtection of intellectual creations.
- Cosmetic RepairsRenovation work such as painting during the tenancy.
- Cost EstimateA non-binding estimate of the cost of a service.
- Court Dunning ProcedureA fast court procedure to enforce a monetary claim.
- Coverage ConfirmationThe insurer's assurance that it will cover a case.
- Credit BureauA company that collects creditworthiness data (for example SCHUFA).
- CreditworthinessA person's creditworthiness.
- Criminal CapacityThe capacity to be held criminally responsible.
- Criminal Complaint (Request for Prosecution)For some offenses, a prerequisite for prosecution.
D
- Daily Rate (Fine)A fine is measured in daily rates.
- DamagesCompensation for harm caused by another party.
- Damages (GDPR)Compensation for data protection violations.
- Damages for DefaultLoss caused by late payment or performance.
- Data Breach (Personal Data Breach)Loss of or unauthorized access to data.
- Data MinimizationOnly as much data as necessary.
- Data Portability (GDPR)The right to take your data with you, for example when switching providers.
- Data Protection Supervisory AuthorityPoint of contact for data protection complaints.
- Debt Collection / Collection AgencyA company that collects claims for others.
- Declaration of DivisionThe document that divides a building into condominium units.
- Declaration of IntentA statement by which a legal consequence is intended.
- Declaration of Parental CareJoint care for unmarried parents.
- DeductibleThe share of the loss you bear yourself.
- DefaultA due payment or performance fails to happen.
- Default InterestInterest that accrues on an outstanding claim from the point of default.
- Default JudgmentA judgment when one party fails to appear.
- Default of Acceptance (Creditor's Default)The creditor does not accept the performance.
- Defense of the Unperformed ContractWithholding one's own performance until the counter-performance.
- Depreciation (AfA)Spreading acquisition costs over the useful life.
- Deviation in Living SpaceThe actual area differs from the contract.
- Diminution in ValueLoss of value of an item despite repair.
- Direct DebitDebit initiated by the recipient.
- Discharge of Residual DebtCancellation of remaining debts at the end of insolvency.
- Disclaimer of InheritanceDeclining the inheritance, for example when it carries debts.
- Discontinuation of ProceedingsProceedings can end without a judgment.
- DisinheritanceExcluding a relative from the succession.
- Dissent (Lack of Agreement)A hidden lack of agreement in a contract.
- Distance ContractA contract concluded entirely at a distance (online, by phone).
- Doorstep TransactionA contract concluded away from business premises, with a right of withdrawal.
- Driver Fitness Register (Flensburg)Central points register at the KBA.
- Driver Fitness SeminarVoluntary point reduction at a low count.
- Driving BanA temporary ban on operating a motor vehicle.
- Driving Without a Driving LicenseCriminal offense without a valid driving license.
- Düsseldorf TableA guideline for the amount of child support.
- Duty of MaintenanceThe landlord's duty to keep the property in good condition.
- Duty of the InsuredA contractual duty of the insured, such as reporting a claim.
- Duty to CooperateDuty to cooperate with authorities.
- Duty to Give Notice of DefectsThe duty to report defects in good time.
- Duty to Tolerate ModernizationThe tenant must tolerate modernization.
E
- Early Repayment PenaltyCompensation for early loan repayment.
- Easement AppurtenantA permanent right of use over another's property.
- Effective Annual Interest RateTotal cost of a loan per year as a percentage.
- Emergency CorridorClear lane for emergency vehicles.
- Employment ContractA contract for dependent work performed under direction in exchange for wages.
- Endangering Road TrafficCriminal offense of concrete endangerment.
- Enforcement Order (Vollstreckungsbescheid)Follows the order for payment: the basis for compulsory enforcement.
- Enforcement TitleA document from which enforcement can be carried out.
- Entrepreneur (Law)A person who acts in a business capacity.
- Equalization of Accrued GainsBalancing out the assets acquired during the marriage upon divorce.
- Essential ComponentAn inseparable part of a thing.
- Eviction ActionThe landlord's action to recover the apartment.
- Exclusion of CoverageCases not insured under the contract.
- Executor of the WillThe person who carries out the last will.
- Expectant RightA secured prospect of a future full right.
- Expert ReportA specialist assessment by an expert.
- Extraordinary (Immediate) TerminationImmediate termination for good cause.
- Extraordinary BurdensUnavoidable high private costs are tax-deductible.
F
- Fake Payment PageA rebuilt payment or bank page that captures your data.
- Fake ShopA fake online shop: you pay but get no goods (or junk).
- Family CourtThe court responsible for family matters.
- FaultIntent or negligence as a requirement for liability.
- Finality (Bestandskraft)The binding force of a decision that can no longer be challenged.
- Finding of Lost PropertyRights and duties when finding an item.
- Fine NoticeAn official notice imposing a fine for a regulatory offense.
- Fixed-Term Employment ContractEmployment contract with an end date.
- Fixed-Term Tenancy AgreementFixed-term residential tenancy agreement.
- Formal Objection (Against an Official Decision)A formal objection to an authority's decision.
- Formal RequirementThe form legally prescribed for a transaction.
- Formal Warning (Employment Law)A reprimand for misconduct with a warning function.
- Fraud on Classified Ad PlatformsSchemes against buyers and, often overlooked, against sellers.
- Freedom of ContractThe freedom to decide whether, with whom, and what you contract.
- Freedom of ExpressionFundamental right to express opinions freely.
- Fruits and Benefits of UseProceeds from a thing or a right.
G
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)The European data protection law, which gives you strong rights over your data.
- General Inspection (HU/TUEV)Regular check of roadworthiness.
- General Right of PersonalityProtection of honor, privacy, and self-determination.
- General Terms and Conditions (AGB)The fine print, invalid if it unreasonably disadvantages you.
- GiftA gratuitous transfer during one's lifetime.
- Gift Card ScamDemanding payment by gift or prepaid card is almost certainly fraud.
- Gift TaxTax on gifts among the living.
- Good FaithThe requirement of honest conduct in legal dealings.
- Good-Faith AcquisitionAcquiring ownership from a non-owner.
- GoodwillA voluntary accommodation by a company, with no legal obligation.
- Grace Period (Setting a Deadline)A final reasonable deadline before you demand withdrawal or damages.
- Graduated RentRent levels set in advance.
- Gratuitous Loan for UseProviding the use of an item free of charge.
- Gross NegligenceViolating the required care to an especially serious degree.
- GuaranteeA voluntary promise by the manufacturer, in addition to the statutory warranty.
- Guarantee (Suretyship)Standing in for another person's debt.
- Guardian ad LitemThe child's interest representative in court.
H
- Hardship Case (Termination of Tenancy)The tenant's objection to the termination.
- Hearing (Public Authority)The chance to comment before an adverse decision is issued.
- Hearing FormAn opportunity to comment on an accusation.
- Hierarchy of CourtsThe sequence of courts for legal remedies.
- House RulesRules for living together in the building.
- Housing Benefit (Wohngeld)A state subsidy toward housing costs.
- Housing Costs (KdU)Coverage of rent and heating.
I
- Identity TheftSomeone uses your data to order goods or enter contracts in your name.
- Immorality (Contrary to Public Policy)A violation of good morals renders a transaction void.
- ImpossibilityA performance owed cannot be rendered.
- Income TaxTax on the income of natural persons.
- Income-Related ExpensesJob-related costs that reduce your taxes.
- Increase in RiskSubsequent increase of the insured risk.
- Index-Linked RentRent tied to the consumer price index.
- Inheritance TaxTax on acquisitions upon death.
- Input TaxDeductible VAT from incoming invoices.
- Installment LoanLoan with fixed monthly installments.
- Instructions on Legal RemediesThe notice within an official decision explaining possible remedies.
- Insurance Certificate (Policy)Document evidencing the insurance contract.
- Insurance PremiumPayment for insurance coverage.
- Insured EventThe event for which the insurer pays out.
- IntentKnowing and willing the act.
- Interim Legal ProtectionFast provisional protection in expedited proceedings.
- Investment FraudUnrealistic return promises often lead to total loss.
J
K
L
- Labor CourtCourt responsible for employment disputes.
- Land ChargeA charge on land securing a loan.
- Land RegisterThe official record of rights in real estate.
- LawsuitThe application by which a claim is enforced in court.
- Lease (Usufructuary Lease)Use and enjoyment of the yield in return for payment.
- Leaving the Scene of an AccidentPunishable hit and run.
- Legacy (Specific Bequest)Bequest of a single item in a will.
- Legal Advice Assistance (Beratungshilfe)Low-cost legal advice for people on a low income.
- Legal Aid (Prozesskostenhilfe, PKH)The state covers court and lawyer costs if you cannot afford them.
- Legal Basis for a ClaimThe legal provision on which a claim is based.
- Legal CapacityThe capacity to be a bearer of rights and duties.
- Legal Capacity to ContractThe ability to conclude contracts effectively.
- Legal EntityA holder of rights that is not a natural person.
- Legal Force (Res Judicata)The final binding effect of a decision.
- Legal Guardianship for AdultsCourt-appointed support for an adult.
- Legal Notice Requirement (Impressum)Provider identification on websites.
- Legal Remedy (Appeal)A formal remedy against decisions.
- LiabilityThe duty to answer for a loss you caused.
- Liability of the Host ProviderResponsibility for third-party content.
- Liability RatioApportionment of liability after an accident.
- Limitation (Statute of Limitations)After a set period, a claim can no longer be enforced.
- Litigation CostsCourt and lawyer costs of a proceeding.
- LoanProviding money to be repaid.
- Local Comparative RentUsual rent for comparable housing.
- Logbook RequirementAn obligation to keep a driver's logbook.
- Long-Term Care InsuranceSocial protection in the event of long-term care needs.
- Loss-of-Use CompensationCompensation for the time without a usable car.
M
- Majority (Age of 18)Full capacity to contract begins at 18.
- Marriage ContractA contractual arrangement of the consequences of marriage.
- Mass DismissalDismissal of many employees in a short period.
- Material Defect / DefectThe goods are not the way they should be.
- Maternity Protection (Mutterschutz)Protection of pregnant women and mothers at work.
- Medical-Psychological AssessmentMedical-Psychological Assessment (colloquially the 'idiot test').
- MerchantA person who operates a commercial business.
- Minimum Child SupportThe lower limit of child support.
- Minimum WageA legally guaranteed minimum hourly wage.
- Minor Repairs ClauseThe tenant bears the cost of minor repairs.
- ModernizationA structural improvement that can allow a rent increase.
- Money Mule / Financial AgentShady "jobs" where you forward money or parcels: a criminal offense.
- MortgageA charge on land that is tied to a claim.
- Motor Vehicle Liability InsuranceMandatory insurance for vehicle owners.
N
- NecessityA justification in a situation of danger.
- NegligenceFailing to exercise the care required in daily dealings.
- Negligent Bodily InjuryInjuring a person through carelessness.
- Negligent Homicide (Traffic)Fatal accident due to carelessness.
- Notice PeriodThe period between the notice of termination and the end of the contract.
- NullityA legal transaction is void from the outset.
O
- Objection (Fine)A remedy against the fine notice, with a 2-week deadline.
- Objection (Tax)Legal remedy against a tax notice.
- Objection DeadlineThe deadline for filing an objection against an official notice.
- ObligationA legal relationship from which a duty to perform follows.
- Official Notice (Bescheid)A written decision issued by a public authority.
- Operating CostsThe building's ongoing costs, passed on to tenants.
- Operational Risk of a VehicleThe general risk that emanates from a motor vehicle.
- Order for Payment (Mahnbescheid)An official court letter about a monetary claim, with a 2-week deadline.
- Ordinary TerminationTermination observing the notice period.
- Overdraft FacilityArranged overdraft on the current account.
- OvertimeExtra work beyond the agreed working hours.
- Owners' MeetingDecision-making body of the condominium owners.
- OwnershipComprehensive legal control over a thing.
P
- P-Konto (Attachment-Protection Account)An account that protects a basic allowance from attachment.
- Package TravelA trip made up of at least two services booked together.
- Parental Allowance (Elterngeld)A benefit for parents after the birth of a child.
- Parental CareThe right and duty to care for the child.
- Parental CustodyThe right and duty to care for a child.
- Parental Leave (Elternzeit)Unpaid leave from work to care for a child.
- Parking ViolationImpermissible stopping or parking.
- Part-Time WorkWork with a reduced number of hours.
- ParticipationSelf-determined participation in life.
- Passing of RiskThe moment from which you bear the risk for the goods.
- PaternityThe legal assignment of a child to its father.
- Payment in Lieu of LeavePayment for leave not taken.
- Payment Protection InsuranceInsurance to secure a loan.
- Penalty OrderA written conviction without a main hearing.
- Pension ReductionReduction for starting the pension early.
- Pension Rights AdjustmentDivision of pension entitlements on divorce.
- Performance (Discharge)A debt is extinguished once the performance is rendered.
- Period for VacatingPeriod for moving out granted by the court.
- Perpetration and ParticipationWho is involved in a criminal offense and how.
- Personal DataAll information about an identifiable person.
- Personal UseA ground for termination when the landlord needs the apartment for themselves.
- PhishingFraud via fake messages or links to get at your data.
- Photograph and Photographic WorkCopyright protection of photos.
- Place of PerformanceThe place where the performance is to be rendered.
- Pledge (Lien)A security right in a thing for a claim.
- Points in FlensburgAn entry in the driver fitness register for traffic offenses.
- PolicyholderThe insurer's contractual partner.
- Position of GuarantorA duty to avert a result.
- PossessionActual control over a thing.
- Possession AgentA person who merely exercises another's possession.
- Post-Contractual Non-Compete ClauseBan on competition after the contract ends.
- Post-Marital MaintenanceMaintenance after the divorce.
- Power of AttorneyPermission to act in someone else's name.
- Pre-Contractual Disclosure DutyDuty to answer application questions truthfully.
- Preliminary InjunctionA fast court decision in expedited proceedings.
- Presumption of InnocenceEveryone is presumed innocent until convicted.
- Price ReductionLower the price.
- Prima Facie EvidenceProof based on a typical course of events.
- Prima Facie ShowingA lower evidentiary standard than full proof.
- Priority Notice of ConveyanceSecuring the claim to transfer of ownership.
- Privacy NoticeInformation about the data processing.
- Private Accessory ProsecutionActive participation of the victim in the criminal proceedings.
- Prize PromiseA promised prize can be claimed.
- ProbationSuspending a prison sentence on probation.
- Probationary PeriodAn initial period with a shortened notice period, no longer than 6 months.
- Probationary Period (Driver's License)Two-year probationary period for new drivers.
- Processing on Behalf of a ControllerData processing on behalf of another party.
- Product LiabilityLiability for defective products.
- ProfilingAutomated evaluation of personal aspects.
- Profit ParticipationSharing in the insurer's surpluses.
- Progression (Tax Rate)The tax rate rises with income.
- Prohibition of Analogy (Criminal Law)No punishment without a law.
- Prohibition of Double JeopardyNo one is punished twice for the same act.
- Prokura (Commercial Power of Representation)A far-reaching authority to act in commerce.
- Promise of GiftA promise of a gratuitous transfer.
- Property TaxMunicipal tax on real property.
- Protected AssetsProtected assets under Buergergeld.
- Protection Against DismissalProtection against a socially unjustified dismissal.
- Protection Against Eviction (Enforcement Protection)Protection against eviction in special hardship cases.
- Protection Against ViolenceCourt protective orders in cases of violence or threats.
- PseudonymizationData not attributable without additional knowledge.
- Purpose LimitationData only for the specified purpose.
Q
R
- Record of Employment ConditionsDuty to set out the terms in writing.
- RecourseAn insurer reclaiming from the party who caused the loss.
- Red Light ViolationRunning a red traffic light.
- Reduced Earning Capacity PensionA pension for people whose ability to work is permanently limited.
- Reimbursement NoticeReclaiming wrongly paid benefits.
- ReminderA request to render a due performance.
- Rent CapLimit on the rent amount for new lettings.
- Rent IncreaseRaising the rent up to the local comparative rent.
- Rent IndexOverview of the local comparative rent.
- Rent ReductionPaying less rent when the apartment has a defect.
- Rental DefectImpairment of usability.
- Replacement ValueThe price for an equivalent replacement vehicle.
- Rest PeriodMinimum break between two working days.
- Restart of the Limitation PeriodThe limitation period starts over from the beginning.
- Restoration to the Prior StatusA second chance after missing a deadline through no fault.
- Retained AmountThe protected personal needs of the person owing maintenance.
- Retention of TitleThe seller stays the owner until full payment.
- Reversal of the Burden of ProofIn the first year, the retailer must prove the goods were defect-free.
- Right of Access (GDPR)The right to learn what data an organization has stored about you.
- Right of ContactThe right of a child and a parent to have contact.
- Right of First RefusalThe right to buy with priority upon a sale.
- Right of ResidenceThe right to live in a dwelling oneself.
- Right of RetentionRefusing your own performance until the other side performs.
- Right of Use (License)Permission to use a work.
- Right of WayPriority in road traffic.
- Right of WithdrawalReversing a contract within the deadline.
- Right to Be ForgottenA right to have outdated data deleted, including in search engines.
- Right to Determine ResidenceThe right to decide the child's place of residence.
- Right to Erasure (GDPR)The right to have your data deleted (the "right to be forgotten").
- Right to Issue InstructionsThe employer's right to specify the work.
- Right to Object (GDPR)Stop the processing of your own data.
- Right to One's Own ImagePhotos of you may only be published with your consent.
- Right to One's Own Spoken WordProtection against secret audio recordings.
- Right to RectificationDemand correction of inaccurate data.
- Right to Refuse TestimonyThe right, as a witness, to refuse to testify.
S
- Safe Following DistanceMinimum distance to the vehicle ahead.
- Sale by DispatchA purchase where the goods are shipped; in a consumer sale the retailer bears the shipping risk.
- Sales ContractA contract for exchanging goods for money.
- Saver's Lump-Sum AllowanceTax allowance for capital income.
- Schedule of FinesTable of standard rates for traffic violations.
- SCHUFA EntryAn entry about your creditworthiness.
- ScoringAssessment of creditworthiness by score.
- SearchSearch for evidence in a home or premises.
- Security DepositThe landlord's security, no more than three months' base rent.
- SeizureSecuring objects as evidence.
- Self-DefensePermitted defense against a present attack.
- Self-HelpSecuring a claim on one's own authority.
- SentencingDetermining the specific punishment.
- Separation MaintenanceMaintenance during the period of living apart.
- Separation of PropertyAssets remain fully separate.
- Service (of Documents)The formal delivery of a document.
- Service ContractA contract for an activity, not for a result.
- Set-OffOffsetting two mutual claims against each other.
- Setting a DeadlineGiving the other party a reasonable deadline to perform.
- Settlement / Payment in InstallmentsA mutual agreement, often with a discount or installments.
- Severance PaymentA money payment to compensate for the loss of a job.
- Severe DisabilityA degree of disability of at least 50.
- Sextortion (Blackmail)Threatening to release supposed intimate footage to extort money.
- Short-Time WorkTemporary reduction of working time.
- Sickness BenefitWage replacement during a longer illness.
- Single Act and Multiple ActsSeveral offenses: one act or several acts?
- Smishing (Scam Text Messages)Phishing by SMS, often the "parcel could not be delivered" trick.
- Social AssistanceBasic support for those unable to work.
- Social CourtThe court for disputes in social law.
- Social SelectionSelection in the case of an operational dismissal.
- Solidarity SurchargeSurcharge on income and corporate tax.
- Special ExpensesPrivate expenses that reduce the tax.
- Special Right of TerminationExtraordinary termination for a particular reason.
- Speculation TaxTax on gains from private sales.
- Spousal SupportSupport between (separated) spouses.
- Standard RequirementFlat rate for basic living costs.
- State Liability for Official ActsThe state's liability for breaches of official duty.
- Statement of Assets (Sworn Affirmation)Disclosure of your financial circumstances to the court bailiff.
- Statement of ClaimThe document by which a lawsuit is filed.
- Statute of Limitations (Criminal Law)After the deadline expires, prosecution is no longer possible.
- Statutory Order of SuccessionWho inherits when there is no will.
- Statutory Pension InsuranceProtection in old age and in cases of reduced earning capacity.
- Statutory Warranty (Liability for Defects)The statutory right to a defect-free item, usually 2 years.
- Strict LiabilityLiability without fault for special dangers.
- SublettingHanding the dwelling over to third parties.
- Sum InsuredMaximum amount of the insurance benefit.
- SummonsA request to appear before the police, prosecutor, or court.
- Supplementary Performance (Repair or Replacement)Demand repair or replacement.
- Surrender ValuePayout amount when a life insurance policy is canceled.
- Suspension of PremiumsThe policy continues without further contributions.
- Suspension of the Limitation PeriodThe limitation period temporarily stands still.
T
- Tax AssessmentDetermination of the tax by the tax office.
- Tax ClassDetermines the amount of wage tax withheld.
- Tax NoticeAdministrative act on the assessed tax.
- Temporary Agency WorkHiring out workers to other businesses.
- Tenant's Right of First RefusalPriority when buying one's own dwelling.
- Termination AgreementA mutually agreed end to the employment relationship.
- Termination With Altered TermsTermination combined with a new contract offer.
- Termination Without Notice (Tenancy)Immediate termination for good cause.
- Time-Critical Transaction (Fixgeschäft)A transaction with a firmly agreed deadline.
- Tolerance DeductionSafety margin for measurements.
- Tort (Unlawful Act)Liability for unlawfully inflicted harm.
- Total LossRepair costs exceed the value of the vehicle.
- Trade TaxTax on trade income.
- Traffic SignsOfficial orders in road traffic.
- Transfer of BusinessEmployment relationship passes to a new owner.
- Transfer of OwnershipTransferring ownership of a thing.
- Travel Contract (Package Tour)A contract covering a combination of travel services.
- Travel DefectA deviation of the trip from the contract.
- Treatment ContractA contract for medical treatment.
U
- Unauthorized PaymentA debit you never agreed to.
- UnderinsuranceSum insured lower than the actual value.
- Unemployment Benefit (ALG I)Wage replacement from unemployment insurance.
- Unfair Dismissal ClaimA claim against a dismissal, filed within three weeks.
- Unjust EnrichmentReclaiming benefits obtained without legal grounds.
- Unlawfully Leaving the Scene of an AccidentPunishable driving off after an accident ('hit and run').
- UsufructThe right to use another's property and draw its proceeds.
- UsuryExploitation through a striking disparity.
- Utility Cost StatementThe annual statement of the apartment's operating costs.
V
- Vacation EntitlementA statutory minimum vacation of four weeks per year.
- Value Added TaxTax on supplies of goods and services.
- Vehicle RegistrationOfficial approval for road traffic.
- Vicarious Agent (Tort Law)An instruction-bound helper in tort law.
- Victim CompensationState assistance for victims of violent crime.
- Violation of Honor (Insult)Attack on personal honor.
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- Wage TaxAdvance payment on income tax from wages.
- Waiting Period (Insurance)Time after the contract begins without full coverage.
- Warning FineA small payment for minor administrative offenses (up to 55 euros).
- Warning Letter (Copyright)Demand to cease and desist after an infringement.
- Widow's and Widower's PensionSurvivor's pension after the death of the partner.
- WillA last-will disposition over the estate.
- Winter Tire RequirementSituational obligation to use winter tires.
- Withdrawal from ContractCancel the contract and get your money back.
- Withdrawal of the Driver's LicenseLoss of the license due to lack of fitness.
- Withdrawal Period14 days to exercise the withdrawal.
- Work AccidentAn accident during insured activity.
- Working TimeThe daily working hours are limited by law.
- Works CouncilElected representation of the workforce.
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Explanations are general and not legal advice (RDG).