Anwalt Zivilrecht
München —
KLAMERT & PARTNER

When do you need a civil law attorney in Munich?

Civil law —also known as private law —governs legal relationships between private individuals, between businesses, and between both parties. It is by far the largest area of German law and affects virtually every aspect of life: sales contracts and online orders, service contracts with tradespeople, lease agreements and neighborhood disputes, complaints, claims for damages, terms and conditions in online shops, unpaid bills, and bad debts. Anyone seeking advice in any of these situations is in good hands with a civil law attorney in Munich.

As a civil law firm, we provide comprehensive services in all key areas—from contract law, consumer law, debt collection, and debt enforcement to medical malpractice, drafting of general terms and conditions, and claims for damages and compensation for pain and suffering. We consistently enforce your claims before the Munich Local Court (Pacellistraße 5) and the Munich I Regional Court (Prielmayerstraße 7)—but wherever possible, we first pursue out-of-court settlements, as this is almost always faster, more cost-effective, and less stressful.

Common issues that clients bring to us:

• Contract disputes or failed enforcement of contracts — sales, construction, service, or lease agreements
• Unpaid invoices and outstanding receivables — Debt collection and dunning procedures
• Compensation for damages and pain and suffering following an accident, medical procedure, or breach of duty
• Complaints, Warranty for Defects, and Cancellation of the Purchase Agreement
• Disputes Over Terms and Conditions or Drafting Terms and Conditions for Online Stores and Service Providers
• Medical Malpractice and Medical Errors — Claims Against Doctors or Hospitals
• Consumer Law — Cancellation, Online Contracts, Subscription Scams, Credit Disputes

Areas of Practice at Our Civil Law Firm in Munich

Eight key areas of civil law, each with its own service page. The order is based on economic significance (CPC) and search volume from our SEO research.

Contract Law — Contract Law Attorney in Munich

Contract law is the most economically significant branch of civil law. As contract law attorneys in Munich, we review contracts before signing, draft customized contracts for the self-employed and entrepreneurs, challenge invalid clauses, and enforce contractual claims—from sales contracts and contracts for work and services to service agreements, and from contract rescission due to mistake (Section 119 of the German Civil Code) to rescission due to fraudulent misrepresentation (Section 123 of the German Civil Code). We also represent your interests both in and out of court in cases of contractual breaches—such as default, impossibility, or breach of duty.

Consumer Law — Consumer Law Attorney in Munich

In the field of consumer law, as a consumer protection attorney in Munich, we assist you with online contracts, subscription traps, improper credit counseling, credit rating disputes, and disputes with intermediaries or online platforms. We review rights of withdrawal (Section 355 of the German Civil Code), assist with complaints, enforce warranty claims (Sections 437 et seq. of the German Civil Code), and represent you against invalid terms and conditions. In the digital age, consumer rights are also significant in cross-border transactions—we are well-versed in the Rome I and Rome II Regulations and determine the jurisdiction of European courts with legal certainty.

Debt Collection and Enforcement of Claims — Civil Law Attorney in Munich

Unpaid bills, outstanding debts, customers who refuse to pay? As a debt collection attorney in Munich, we enforce your claims more quickly and effectively than a traditional collection agency—and with the cost advantages of the attorney-led dunning procedure (Sections 688 et seq. of the German Code of Civil Procedure). We issue out-of-court demands, apply for court-ordered payment orders, enforce writs of execution, and collect enforceable claims through a bailiff or by garnishing bank accounts and wages. Unlike a debt collection service provider, we can also represent you if the debtor files an objection and the case proceeds to the local or regional court—without you having to switch law firms.

Medical Malpractice and Medical Errors — Civil Litigation Attorney in Munich

If a doctor or a clinic has committed medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, damages, and compensation for provable consequential damages (Sections 280, 630a–630h of the German Civil Code (BGB)). As medical malpractice attorneys in Munich, we review medical records, obtain expert opinions, conduct arbitration proceedings with the Bavarian State Medical Association, and enforce your claims under civil law. Typical scenarios include: surgical errors, failure to provide adequate informed consent, hygiene violations, misdiagnoses, birth injuries, or failure to conduct necessary examinations. Anyone wishing to sue a doctor should act quickly—the statute of limitations typically begins three years after becoming aware of the damage and the party responsible.

Contract Law — Civil Law Attorney in Munich

Terms and conditions are the backbone of modern business relationships—and at the same time, one of the most common sources of legal warnings. As a Munich-based attorney specializing in terms and conditions, we draft legally compliant terms and conditions for online shops, SaaS platforms, service providers, and tradespeople; review existing clauses for violations of Sections 305–310 of the German Civil Code (BGB); and represent you against cease-and-desist letters from consumer associations or competitors. In particular, the strict content review (Sections 307–309 of the German Civil Code) for consumer transactions requires careful wording—a single invalid clause can trigger a wave of cease-and-desist letters.

Compensation for Damages and Pain and Suffering — Civil Law Attorney in Munich

Compensation for damages (Section 280 of the German Civil Code) and compensation for pain and suffering (Section 253 of the German Civil Code) are the most important claims under German civil law. Anyone who suffers damage as a result of a breach of duty, a tort (Sections 823 et seq. BGB), or a breach of contract is entitled to full restoration of the situation that would have existed had the damaging event not occurred (Section 249 BGB). As a Munich-based law firm specializing in damages, we pursue claims for both pecuniary damages (repair costs, loss of earnings, medical expenses) and non-pecuniary damages (compensation for pain and suffering in cases of bodily injury or violation of personal rights)—against private individuals, companies, or insurance providers.

Contract Law — Civil Law Attorney in Munich

Contract law governs the rights and obligations between creditors and debtors. As a contract law attorney in Munich, we represent you in disputes regarding the performance of contracts, in cases of default (Sections 286 et seq. of the German Civil Code), breaches of duty (Section 280 BGB), the contesting of contracts, withdrawal, and rescission—in other words, in all situations where creditors and debtors dispute what must be performed and what must not. We also provide comprehensive advice on debtor default, default interest, and damages in addition to or in lieu of performance.

Initial Consultation on Civil Law — Legal Advice in Munich

Not sure whether your case has a chance of success under civil law? As part of our free initial assessment, we will review your case without obligation to determine its prospects of success and identify the relevant area of law. This provides you with an initial legal assessment of your situation without any financial commitment. Any further legal advice in civil law will only be provided after you retain our services—billed according to the RVG or an individual fee agreement.

How Your Civil Law Attorney in Munich Works — Four Steps

1. Free Initial Assessment

You describe your situation—we will review, with no obligation, what claims you may have, what statutes of limitations apply, and whether legal action is financially worthwhile.

2. Out-of-court settlement

Whenever possible, we seek a quick resolution—through legal letters, settlement negotiations, or mediation. Out-of-court solutions are generally less expensive, faster, and less stressful than going to court.

3. Lawsuit filed in the Munich Local Court or Regional Court

If no agreement can be reached, we will file a lawsuit. For claims up to 5,000 euros, the Munich Local Court (Pacellistraße 5) has jurisdiction; for amounts above that, the Munich I Regional Court (Prielmayerstraße 7) has jurisdiction—both are conveniently located near Pettenkoferstraße.

4. Enforcement and Assertion of Claims

Once we have a judgment or settlement in hand, we enforce enforceable claims—through bailiffs, garnishment of bank accounts, wages, or personal property. Only enforcement turns a judgment into actual money.

Frequently Asked Questions for Your Civil Law Attorney in Munich

How much does a civil law attorney in Munich cost?

The initial assessment of your case is free of charge at KLAMERT & PARTNER. Any further legal advice provided after you retain our services will be billed in accordance with the RVG (German Lawyers’ Fees Act) or based on an individual fee agreement. If you have legal expenses insurance, we will handle the coverage inquiry on your behalf. If funds are limited, we will determine whether legal counseling assistance (out of court) or legal aid (in court) is an option.

What are the statutes of limitations under civil law?

The standard statute of limitations is three years (Section 195 of the German Civil Code) and begins at the end of the year in which the claim arose and the creditor became aware of the claim and the debtor (Section 199 of the German Civil Code). There are numerous special limitation periods—for example, two years for warranty claims (Section 438 of the German Civil Code), and 30 years for claims that have been legally established (Section 197 of the German Civil Code). Have your statute of limitations situation reviewed as early as possible.

Which court has jurisdiction in civil matters in Munich?

For disputes involving amounts up to 5,000 euros, the Munich Local Court (Pacellistraße 5, 80333 Munich) has jurisdiction; for amounts above that, the Munich I Regional Court (Prielmayerstraße 7, 80335 Munich) has jurisdiction. The Munich Regional Court serves as the appellate court for Local Court rulings, and the Munich Higher Regional Court serves as the appellate court for Regional Court rulings. Special jurisdictions apply to rental matters, family matters, and certain other cases.

Is it worth filing a lawsuit for a small claim?

This is a financial decision. As a general rule, if the amount in dispute is less than 1,000 euros, filing a lawsuit is only worthwhile if the chances of success are very high and you have legal expenses insurance. That said, there are situations where litigation makes sense even for small amounts in dispute—such as when the case could set a precedent, involves recurring claims, or affects your reputation. We’ll assess this during your free initial consultation.

What is the difference between a debt collection agency and a lawyer?

A debt collection agency is only authorized to handle cases out of court. As soon as the debtor objects and the matter goes to court, you’ll need a lawyer anyway. With a lawyer, the case is handled by a single professional from the start—no changes in representation, no duplicate costs, and no inefficiencies. In many cases, hiring a lawyer is therefore more cost-effective in the end than going through a debt collection agency.

What can I do if a doctor treats me incorrectly?

If you suspect medical malpractice, you have three options: filing a complaint with the Bavarian State Medical Association, initiating a mediation process (free of charge), or filing a civil lawsuit. We generally recommend initiating the mediation process while simultaneously retaining an expert. The statute of limitations is three years from the date you become aware of the error and the resulting harm—so act as soon as possible.

Are terms and conditions required for online stores?

Terms and conditions are not mandatory—if you don’t have them, the law applies. For practical reasons, however, almost all merchants rely on terms and conditions because without them, it is difficult to enforce certain rights (e.g., regarding delivery times, retention of title, and credit checks). Important: Consumer terms and conditions are subject to strict content review under Sections 307–309 of the German Civil Code (BGB). A poorly worded clause can lead to costly cease-and-desist letters.

Do I have a right to cancel an online purchase?

Consumers generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for online purchases (Section 355 of the German Civil Code). This period begins upon receipt of the goods. There are numerous exceptions—for example, custom-made goods, perishable products, or sealed hygiene items. If the seller has not provided the required information, the period is extended to up to 12 months.

What does a court-approved settlement mean?

A court-approved settlement (Section 779 of the German Civil Code [BGB], Section 794 of the German Code of Civil Procedure [ZPO]) is an agreement reached between the parties and recorded by the court. It constitutes an enforceable title—just like a judgment—and generally brings the proceedings to a close. In practice, more than half of all civil proceedings end in a settlement because both sides wish to limit risk and costs.

What is a declaratory action?

By filing a negative declaratory action (Section 256 of the German Code of Civil Procedure), you can obtain a court ruling that a specific claim by the opposing party does not exist. This is useful when someone claims to have a claim—such as a debt collection agency, an alleged creditor, or a competitor threatening to issue a cease-and-desist letter. By doing so, you force the other party to show their hand rather than waiting for them to file a lawsuit.

Civil Law Attorney in Munich — Right Next to Theresienwiese

Are you looking for a civil law attorney nearby? Our law firm at Pettenkoferstraße 37 is located right next to Theresienwiese in Munich’s Ludwigsvorstadt district—within walking distance of Munich Central Station, Sendlinger Tor, and Goetheplatz. This means you can reach not only us but also the Munich Local Court (Pacellistraße 5) and the Munich Regional Court I (Prielmayerstraße 7)—the central courts for civil proceedings in Munich—in just a few minutes.

Clients from all over Munich—from Schwabing to Bogenhausen, Pasing, Sendling, Au-Haidhausen, and Maxvorstadt—can reach us by subway (U4/U5 Theresienwiese, U3/U6 Goetheplatz, U1/U2/U7/U8 Sendlinger Tor) and tram lines 18 and 19. Appointments outside of office hours and online cases with encrypted communication are available by arrangement. As civil law attorneys in Munich, we provide legal advice in German, English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Portuguese.

Civil Law Attorney in Munich — Request a Free Initial Consultation

Tell us about your case—we’ll review your potential claims and the applicable deadlines at no obligation. You can reach us online, by phone at 089 540 239 0, or in person at our civil law firm in Munich on Theresienwiese. If a statute of limitations is about to expire or you have urgent claims, we’ll schedule an appointment at short notice.