Application for the election

Would you like to get involved as a lay judge? For this you have to apply and be elected.

Detailed description

Lay judges are volunteer judges in criminal cases and participate in the trial and the judgment at the local or regional court.


Juvenile lay judges are volunteer judges at the juvenile court.



As an elected lay judge, you are obligated to attend the hearings to which you have been summoned. Your employer must grant you leave for the duration of your service.


You will receive compensation for your service (including for lost earnings, time off, and travel expenses). No further remuneration will be provided.



Lay judge elections take place every five years. The election year is always the year before the start of the new five-year term of office.



The current term of office ends on December 31, 2028. Applications are expected to be possible from January 2028.

 

Information

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

Additional requirement for youth aldermen:


Educational qualifications and experience in youth education

Documents required

Applications for the next term are not currently being accepted. Application materials are expected to be available from winter/spring 2028.

Please note

The following information is available:
Current lay judges who wish to serve in the next term must reapply.
These applicants will likely be contacted by the district offices by the end of February 2028 and will receive the application documents (subject to procedural changes).


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

In the spring of 2028, the districts will draw up lists of candidates for the elections.


  • You submit the completed and signed application form to the district office by post, in person or scanned via email.
  • You will be added to a list of nominees.
  • The district assembly or the youth welfare committee will decide on the lists of nominees starting in April 2028.
  • The elections are expected to take place in the fall of 2028 at the competent court.

You will be informed of the election result by the responsible court by December 2028.

Processing time

The candidates will be informed of the election results by the competent court by December 2028.

Fees

no

Legal remedies

Objection according to § 37 Court Constitutional Court (GVG)

Legal basis

§ 36 Court Constitution Act (GVG),

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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: 08.06.2026