Training – The German Legal System

Do you want to better understand how legal matters are handled in Germany, how to work with German business partners, or how to set up a company across the border?

We invite you to the training “The German Legal System”, which will help you organise your knowledge and understand the key differences between the Polish and German legal systems – without complex jargon, but with practical examples.

Date: 15 December 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The aim of the training is to familiarise participants with the key elements of the German legal system, with particular emphasis on:

• the basics of German civil law,
• inheritance law,
• civil procedure,
• labour law,
• company law.

Participants will also learn about the most important differences between the Polish and German legal orders in these areas, which will make it easier for them to make decisions and cooperate with partners from Germany.

The training is intended in particular for:

• lawyers advising clients operating on the German market,
• entrepreneurs planning or running business activities in Germany,
• persons responsible for legal services, contracts, HR and compliance,
• business consultants, accountants and specialists working with German entities.

Knowledge of German is not required – the training is conducted in Polish.

By attending this training, you will:

• understand the structure and logic of the German legal order,
• learn practical rules for concluding contracts, limitation of claims and civil liability in Germany,
• find out how inheritance works in Germany, including in a cross-border context (Polish citizens),
• become familiar with the course of court and enforcement proceedings under German law,
• receive an overview of German labour law – from concluding an employment contract to protection against dismissal,
• understand the basics of company law, including how a GmbH operates,
• be better prepared for Polish-German cooperation and avoid the most common practical mistakes.

Training programme

1. Introduction to the German legal order

• Structure and division of powers in Germany
• Federal system and competences of the federal states (Länder)
• Hierarchy of sources of law
• Role and organisation of the courts
• Importance of case law and legal literature

2. Basics of German civil law (BGB)

• Structure of the BGB – the five books as the foundation of civil law
• Contracts – freedom of contract, form, invalidity
• Contractual and tort liability
• Limitation of claims

3. Inheritance law in Germany

• Statutory and testamentary succession
• Compulsory share (Pflichtteil) – who is entitled and how it is calculated
• Acceptance and rejection of inheritance
• Entry in the register of heirs (Erbschein)
• Inheritance by Polish citizens – cross-border aspects

4. Civil procedure (ZPO)

• Pre-litigation actions (Inkasso)
• Electronic order for payment procedure (Mahnverfahren)
• Court proceedings for payment (Klageverfahren)
• Enforcement proceedings (Zwangsvollstreckung)
• Measures to secure claims

5. Outline of German labour law (Arbeitsrecht)

• Establishment of employment – employment contract, obligations of the parties
• Termination and protection against dismissal
• Holidays, working time, remuneration
• Role of works councils and collective agreements
• Key differences compared to Polish labour law

6. Outline of German company law (Gesellschaftsrecht)

• Overview of legal forms: partnerships and corporations
• GmbH – basic rules of operation
• Registration and obligations of companies
• Role of the notary and commercial register
• Liability of shareholders and management
• Stages of setting up a GmbH

7. Differences between the German and Polish systems

• Comparison of basic legal institutions
• Legal culture, approach to regulations and procedures
• Cross-border cooperation and the most common practical issues

8. Q&A session

• Participants’ questions
• Discussion of practical case studies
• Exchange of experiences
• Recommended sources of further knowledge and training

Trainer

Tomasz Baron, LL.M.

Attorney-at-law and partner at the German law firm TIGGES Rechtsanwälte, based in Düsseldorf.
Member of the Regional Bar of Attorneys-at-Law in Katowice and the Bar Association in Düsseldorf.

For over 9 years, he has been advising Polish and German entities in the areas of:

• civil law,
• commercial and corporate law,
• labour law.

He provides comprehensive support to entities starting business activities in Germany – from choosing the legal form and setting up a company, through to ongoing legal services.
He actively participates in and coordinates international due diligence processes and M&A transactions.
He serves as a member of the disciplinary court at the Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Katowice, and holds supervisory positions in commercial law companies.

Registration: sign up now