Translater's Note:
The word "Rechtspfleger" cannot be directly translated into English as this profession exists only in Germany.  A "Rechtspfleger" might be best described as a kind of graduate court registrar one  level lower than a judge. He/she  who makes legal decisions in various matters as described on this website, is responsible to the law only and – like a judge - is legally independent and answerable only to the law i.e., he/she is not subject to direction or supervision. A "Rechtspfleger" is normally a graduate of a German degree-granting technical institute which is subject to the supervision of the state.

Legal status
The legal status of a German graduate court registrar is comparable to that of a judge. In their work, graduate court registrars are independent and responsible only to the law.
This means that they perform their duties on their own initiative, according to existing procedural regulations and legislation and with no instructions from a professional superior.

The performance of the wide variety of duties requires professional self-confidence and the willingness to accept responsibility. The profession is particularly suitable for those students who have passed the "Abitur" (German university matriculation examination), who have a good general education, who are open, mobile and versatile and who have a penchant for legal activities when dealing with people making use of the justice system.

Back to the website Information in English