April 1, 2025, marks the beginning of a new era for the German judiciary: specialized courts with English-speaking judges. This separate branch of state courts offers competitive services for international commercial disputes. Similar to the corresponding institutions in centers such as London and Paris, this state adjudication is open exclusively to the business community.
The experiences from the test phase of the so-called “Stuttgart model” are promising. What can companies expect from the new system of commercial chambers at the regional court level and the new commercial court?

Advantages
Faster decisions: average duration of a legal dispute 6.5 months. Specialist judges with experience in international disputes, tailor-made procedures, modern technology
English language: on request and for all aspects of a legal dispute, written submissions, pleadings in court, presentation of evidence, etc.
Modern tools: in particular the general possibility of online hearings, electronic filing

Conclusion
Litigation in German state courts is becoming a real alternative to arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution. The judiciary in Stuttgart has extensive experience with international disputes, in areas such as M&A, shareholder disputes, and commercial law.

Do you have any questions?
Whether the Stuttgart courts are suitable for finding a solution to a particular matter in a particular business relationship is a question we are increasingly often asked to answer for our international clients. Therefore, please do not hesitate to contact us in this regard.

Outlook:
In further articles, we will provide information on the details of this new judicial procedure, such as the applicable limits on the value of claims, the various courts of first instance, and the jurisdiction for appeals (second instance).
Other topics will include how you can incorporate these new judicial options into your strategy as a place of jurisdiction, e.g., as part of your dispute resolution clause or, if dispute resolution is already necessary, by subsequent agreement.

Thank you for your attention.