Application for the election
Lay judges are honorary judges in criminal matters and participate in the hearing and the decision-making process at the local and regional courts. Juvenile lay judges are honorary judges at the juvenile court. As an elected judge, you are obliged to...
Lay judges are honorary judges in criminal matters and participate in the hearing and the decision-making process at the local and regional courts.
Juvenile lay judges are honorary judges at the juvenile court.
As an elected judge, you are obliged to attend the meetings to which you have been invited. The employer has to release you for the time of your assignment.
You will receive compensation for your work (including for loss of earnings, lost time and travel expenses). There is no further compensation.
Alderman elections take place every five years. Election year is always the year before the new five-year term begins.
The next term of office begins on January 1st, 2024 and ends on December 31st, 2028 .
Important notes
Prerequisites
- possession of German citizenship
- aged between 25 and 69 when taking office
- The registration address must be in the respective district office area. You can only apply to your local district office.
- health aptitude
- sufficient command of the German language
- no loss of assets
Educational qualifications and experience in youth education
Documents required
It is no longer possible to apply for the coming term of office. If you are interested, you can contact your local district office. You will then be informed about the application process at the beginning of the next application period, probably in winter/spring 2028.
Please note
There are the following hints:
Incumbent lay judges who would like to remain active in the next term of office must reapply.
For this purpose, they will be written to by the district offices by the end of January 2023 and the application documents will be sent to them.
You do not need any legal training to be elected as a lay judge.
Deadlines
Applications for the 2024 to 2028 term of office are no longer possible.
Procedure & Fees
Procedure
In the spring of 2023, the districts will draw up nomination lists for the elections.
The application period for the 2024 – 2028 term of office has expired.
- You submit the completed and signed application form to the district office by post, in person or scanned by email.
- You will be included in a suggestion list.
- The district assembly or the youth welfare committee will decide on the list of proposals from April 2023.
- The elections are expected to take place in autumn 2023 at the competent court.
Processing time
Applicants will be informed of the results of the elections by the responsible court by December 2023.
Fees
no
Legal notes
Legal remedies
Objection according to § 37 Court Constitutional Court (GVG)
Legal basis
§ 36 Court Constitution Act (GVG),
Downloads & Links
Find out your responsible facility
Keywords: Honorary judges Election of the aldermen Honorary administrative judges, lay judges Honorary judges in criminal matters Youth aldermen Alderman election jury sheriff judges Volunteer Judges youth alderman
Last updated: 18.04.2024