German Business and Commercial Laws – Guide to Translations into English and Select Auxiliary Sources

By Dr. Sebastian Omlor

Dr. Sebastian Omlor is Professor of Law and Director of the Institute for Comparative Law at theUniversity of Marburg School of Law, Germany. He holds a master’s degree in EU law (2008) and a PhD degree in corporate law (Dr. iur., 2009) from Saarland University, Germany, and a master’s degree from NYU School of Law (2012).

Published January/February 2022

(Previously updated in September 2012 and in May/June 2017)

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

As more business is conducted cross-border and globally, there is a growing demand for translations of business and commercial laws. This compilation is intended for people involved in international legal and business transactions, students, translators, and anyone else who might be interested in locating English translations of German business and commercial laws. Included are translations in print format and those available on the World Wide Web without, however, making a claim to completeness. In addition, this bibliography points to related sources in English providing background information on the economic and legal environment for doing business in Germany, and to a number of useful tools, such as dictionaries of business and legal terms, both in print and online. Also included for reference purposes is a selection of links to major legal websites in the German vernacular. Brief source descriptions have been provided wherever the authors have had a chance to look at the materials. Currency has been a major priority, but not so recent sources have been included for reference purposes as well. When using or referring to these materials, it needs to be borne in mind that they may be out of date, incomplete, or, in the worst of cases, incorrect. Hence, it stands to reason to check their origin and currency or consult an expert in German law on any substantive issues involved.

2. Translations

2.1. Compilations of Business and Commercial Laws

  • Rüster, B. (ed.). Business Transactions in Germany (FRG). New York, NY: Matthew Bender; München: C.H. Beck Verlag, current as per 2011. (Loose leaf): Five-volume set in English providing extensive and in-depth coverage of the various aspects of business dealings and business law in Germany, with a separate volume of translations of pertinent laws and code sections (Commercial Code, Act Against Restraints of Competition, Act Against Unfair Competition, Banking Act, Act on Limited Liability Companies, Stock Corporation Act, Standard Contracts Act, Patent Act, Copyright Act, Trademark Act, and others).
  • Commercial Laws of Europe. London: European Law Centre, 1978- (review): Provides the texts of legislation in English, and in the original language when the authentic English text is unavailable.
  • Commercial Laws of the World: Germany. Ormond Beach, Fla.: Foreign Tax Law Publisher, Inc., 1995- (Loose leaf): The section on Germany in Book 24 of this multi-volume set contains English translations of major German commercial laws. It features an extensive table of contents but lacks an index or introduction.
  • The German Law Archive: This Website features German statutes in English translation, as well as cases and literature on German Law in English (also see at Comprehensive Business and Legal Sites).

2.2. General Private and Commercial Law

2.2.1. Civil Code/Code of Civil Procedure

  • The Code of Civil Procedure Rules of the Federal Republic of Germany of January 30, 1877, and The Introductory Act for the Code of Civil Procedure Rules of January 30, 1877. As of January 1988. Translated by Simon L. Goren. Littleton, Co: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1990. (The English text of the two laws with a glossary of terms in German/English)
  • The German Civil Code. Littleton, Colo.: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 2. ed. 1994. (Translations of the German Civil Code (BGB) as amended to January 1, 1992, and of the Introductory Act to the Civil Code (EGBGB) of August 15, 1896 (including amendments to January 1, 1992), with an introduction in English and a German–English/English–German index.)
  • Stewart, Charles E. German Commercial Code and Code of Civil Procedure in English. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana, 2001. (English Texts of the Code of Civil Procedure Rules and The Introductory Act for the Code of Civil Procedure Rules, without index or commentary.)
  • German Law of Obligations. Part of the Civil Code, the Law of Obligations was reformed in 2001. (German–English Text with a short introduction available from the website of the German Law Archive.)

2.2.2. Commercial Code

  • The Commercial Code – Book 4: Chapter 4 – Freight Business, Chapter 5 – Forwarding Business and Chapter 6 – Warehousing Business. (English Text of sections 407-475 from the Website of Bavaria AG)
  • Peltzer, M./Doyle, J., Voight, E.A. German Commercial Code / Handelsgesetzbuch. 5th revised edition. Köln: Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag, 2002. (German–English text with an introduction in English. The revised edition takes into account the considerable changes in the law during the past few years. The introduction provides a useful summary and overview of the Code and includes pointers to the most relevant or problematic sections.)
  • Picot, G: Mergers & Acquisitions in Germany. 2nd ed. New York: Juris Publishing, 2000. (Important parts of the Commercial Code in English translation. English–German Glossary of Terms.)
  • Stewart, Charles, E. German Commercial Code and Code of Civil Procedure in English. Translated by Charles E. Stewart. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana, 2001. (English Text of the German Commercial Code, without index or commentary.)

2.2.3. Industrial and Intellectual Property Law

For further legislative texts relating to German industrial and intellectual property law see the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Website under Collection of Laws for Electronic Access (CLEA)/Legislative Texts/Germany.

2.2.4. Insolvency Law

  • Stewart, C. Insolvency Code and Act Introducing the Insolvency Code / Insolvenzordnung mit Einführungsgesetz zur Insolvenzordnung. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1997. (German–English text of the law with an introduction in English.)
  • Gres, J./Frege, M. Insolvenzordnung / German Insolvency Act. Köln: O.Schmidt, 2002. (German–English Text with an introduction in German and English.)
  • Insolvency Statute/Insolvenzordnung of October 5, 1994 as of December 20, 2011 in English.

3. Business Organization

3.1. Company Law

The Germany Cooperative Societies Act – Available in English translation on the Website of NATLEX, a continuously updated database of the ILO (International Labour Organisation) containing references to over 55,000 national laws on labour, social security, and related human rights.

  • Gres, J./Gerber, D.J. The German Law Governing Standard Business Conditions / AGBG – Gesetz zur Regelung des Rechts der Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen. Köln: Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag, 1977. (Abolished by the law of obligations reform) (German–English text of the above law, with a short introduction.)
  • Jungmann, C./Santoro, D. German GmbH-Law = Das deutsche GmbH-Recht. München: C.H. Beck, 2011.
  • Peltzer, M./Brooks, J.P/Hopcroft, T. German Law Pertaining to Companies with Limited Liability / GmbHG – GmbH-Gesetz. 4th revised edition. Köln: Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag, 2000. (Synoptic German–English text of the law with an English introduction to German limited liability company (GmbH) law.)
  • Rosengarten, J./Burmeister, F./Klein, M. The German Limited Liability Company. 9th edition. München: C. H. Beck Verlag, 2020. (Introduction to the German Limited Liability Company Act, with a synoptic German–English translation of the law, and related legal provisions regarding the articles of association and other documents establishing the company, the structuring of the balance sheet, profit/loss accounting of a company, and the commercial register extract.)
  • Peltzer/Hickinbotham, A. German Stock Corporation Act and Co-Determination Act. Aktiengesetz und Mitbestimmungsgesetz. Köln: Otto Schmidt, 1999. (German–English Texts of the German Stock Corporation Act, the Co-Determination Act, and the Labour Management Relations Act, with an extensive introduction in English and a German–English/English–German index.)
  • Schneider, H./Heidenhain, M. The German Stock Corporation Act. 2nd revised edition. The Hague: Kluwer Law International/München: C.H. Beck, 2000. (Stock corporation law in English with an extensive introduction.)
  • Zschocke, C. The German Stock Corporation Act. 3rd fully revised edition. Frankfurt am Main: Knapp-Verlag, 2001. (A bilingual edition in consideration of the Law of Registered Shares and Simplified Rules for the Exercise of Voting Rights, with an introduction to the German stock corporation law.)
  • Benkert, M./Bürkle, A. Law of Reorganizations/Reorganization Tax Laws. Umwandlungsgesetz/ Umwandlungssteuergesetz. Bilingual edition with comprehensive introduction. Köln: RWS Verlag Kommunikationsforum GmbH, 1996. (Synoptic translation of the German laws. German/English – English/German glossary of terms.)
  • Oliver, M.C. The Private Company in Germany. A Translation and Commentary. 2nd edition. Series on International Comparative Law. Deventer; Antwerp: Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers, 1986. (Commentary on and introduction to German company law; synoptic German–English text (British English!) of the Private Companies Act of 1980; German–English glossary of terms.)
  • Peltzer/Hickinbotham. Umwandlungsgesetz und Umwandlungssteuergesetz. Transformation Act and Transformation Taxation Act. Frankfurt am Main: Knapp-Verlag, 1996. (German–English edition with an introduction.)
  • Rüster, B. (ed.). Business Transactions in Germany (FRG). New York, NY: Matthew Bender; München: C.H. Beck Verlag, current as per 2011. (Loose leaf). (Many of the laws mentioned under this section are also available in volume 5 of this source.)

3.2. Corporate Tax Law

  • Spengel, Endres,Brunsbach, Miles, Corporate Taxation in Germany, 3d ed., Düsseldorf: IDW-Verlag, 2012. (Synoptic translation of statutory instruments with notes for foreign investors. Corporation Tax Act; Reconstructions Tax Act (Reorganization Tax Act) and important parts of the Income Tax Act, Trade Tax Act, Tax Management Act and Real Estate Management Act. Including selected regulations of the authorities, German and English indexes, and a further reading list.)
  • Tulloch, A. German Reorganization Tax Act / Umwandlungssteuergesetz. Köln: Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag, 1995. (German–English synoptic text, with an introduction in German and English. The footnotes reproduce the German text and English translation of the numerous legal provisions to which the Reorganization Tax Act refers. The keyword index also serves as a bilingual glossary of terms.)
  • Amann, R. German Tax Guide. 2nd ed. The Hague/Neuwied: Kluwer Law International/Luchterhand, 2013. (Includes the Foreign Tax Act in its previous and new versions and some circulars relating to the application of this act. English–German/German–English Glossary.)
  • Meyer-Landrut, J./Miller, F.G./Thoma, G.F. The German Turnover Tax Law 1980/Umsatzsteuergesetz 1980. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1980. (Synoptic German–English text with an introduction in English.)
  • Bellstedt, Christoph. International Transactions Tax Act and Administrative Principles on Income Allocation: English–German Text. Köln: Otto Schmidt Verlag, 1994. (Synoptic texts in German and English of the 1972 International Transactions Tax Act as amended and the German Finance Ministry’s Administrative Principles on Income Allocation with a list of abbreviations and an index in both German and English.)
  • Benkert, M./Bürkle, A. Law of Reorganizations/Reorganization Tax Laws. Umwandlungsgesetz/ Umwandlungssteuergesetz. Bilingual edition with comprehensive introduction. Köln: RWS Verlag Kommunikationsforum GmbH, 1996. (Synoptic translation of the German laws. German/English – English/German glossary of terms.)
  • Tax Laws of the World. Germany. Ormond Beach, FL: Foreign Tax Law Publishers, 1993-. (Loose leaf). (The volume on Germany provides a compilation of German tax legislation in translation, including the Corporation Tax Law, the Income Tax Law and the Foreign Taxation Act. It features an introduction to the German tax system and an extensive index.)
  • Peltzer, M./Hickinbotham, A.G. Transformation Act and Transformation Taxation Act / Umwandlungsgesetz mit Umwandlungssteuergesetz. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1996. (A German–English synoptic text of the law with commentaries in English.)
  • Rittler, T: Umsatzsteuergesetz / Turnover Tax Law. Selbstverlag 2003. (Synoptic translation of the German law.)
  • U.S.-German Tax Treaties/Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen USA-Deutschland. (Available in English (Income and Capital / Estate and Gift Tax) and German (Einkommen und Vermögen) from the website of German attorney Reimar Pinkernell. Both the German and English versions feature a clickable table of contents.)

3.3. Labor Law

  • Schneider, H./Kingsman, D. Act Concerning Co-Determination of Employees. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1976. (Bilingual text, including the Labor Management Relations Act and (partly) the Stock Corporation Law.)
  • Lingemann, S./Steinau-Steinrück, R./Mengel, A. Employment & Labor Law in Germany. 5th ed. München: Beck, 2022. (A brief and succinct overview of the German system of employment and labor law including the impact of social security and tax law plus German–English synoptic translations of the most important German labor law statutes and codifications, including the Works Constitutions Act, Co-Determination Act, excerpts from the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, the Law Pertaining to Companies with Limited Liability, the Stock Corporation Act, and others.)
  • Tepass, M./Parssinen D. German Labor Law. Introduction and Collection of German Labor Law Statutes. New York: German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., 1997. (An introduction to German labor law plus translations of the most important German labor law statutes and codifications, including excerpts from the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, the Social Security Code, and the Employment Promotion Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Protection from Dismissal Act, and others.)
  • Weber, U./Wrede, B. German Labour Law. An Investor’s Guide to German Labour Law. Köln: PfA Praktikerforum für Arbeits- und Wirtschaftsrecht GmbH, 1996. (Coverage of the pertinent legal provisions, as well as examples of cases. Selection of sample contracts and other documents and a list of the official laws with an English translation in Part VIII.)
  • Peltzer/Hickinbotham, A., German Stock Corporation Act and Co-Determination Act. Aktiengesetz und Mitbestimmungsgesetz. Köln: Otto Schmidt, 1999. (German–English Text with an introduction in English.)
  • Reitzle, H./Butenschön, A./Bergmann, J. Gesetz über Arbeitnehmererfindungen. Act on Employees’ Inventions. 3rd ed. Weinheim: Verlag Chemie, 2007. (German -English Text with introduction and German–English, English–German Glossary.)
  • Hours of Work Act – Available in English translation from NATLEX, a continuously-updated database of the ILO (International Labour Organization) containing references to over 55,000 national laws on labour, social security, and related human rights.
  • Peltzer, M./Stewart, C. Labor-Management Relations Act / Betriebsverfassungsgesetz. 4th revised edition. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1995. (A synoptic German–English text with commentary in English.)
  • Act on Employees’ Inventions as of June 24, 1994 (Text available in English translation from the WIPO Website) and latest version as amended by act of July 31, 2009 (Text available in English translation from the Japan Patent Office Website.)
  • Picot, G. Mergers & Acquisitions in Germany. 2nd ed. New York: Juris Publishing, 2000. (Important parts of the Act against Unfair Dismissal and Works Constitution Act in English translation. English–German Glossary of Terms.)

3.4. Takeover of Companies

  • Stohlmeier, T. German Public Takeover Law. The Hague: Kluwer, 2002. Revised 2015 (Bilingual edition with an introduction, extensive overview, and English index; German–English synoptic texts of the Securities Acquisitions and Takeover Act and related acts and regulations, excerpts from the Stock Corporation Act, Securities Trading Act, Act against Restraints of Competition and Stock Exchange Act.)
  • Apelbacher, G./Barthelmess, T. /Buhl, T. German Takeover Law – A Commentary. München: Beck, 2002. (Synopsis of English and German Texts of the Takeover Act and the Bid Regulation plus commentary and English–German glossary.)
  • Peltzer, M./Voight, E. German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act / Wertpapiererwerbs- und Übernahmegesetz. Köln: O. Schmidt, 2002. (German–English text of the Act and related regulations with an introduction in English, German–English glossary and list of agencies and courts.)
  • Picot, G. Mergers & Acquisitions in Germany. 2nd ed. New York: Juris Publishing, 2000. (Important parts of the German Civil Code, Commercial Code, Stock Corporation Act, Conversion Act, Act Against Unfair Dismissal, Works Constitution Act, and Insolvency Act in English translation. English–German glossary of terms and English index.)
  • Adolff, J./Meister, B. Public Company Takeovers in Germany. München: Beck, 2002. (Full account of the Takeover Act including an English/German glossary and synoptic translation of the Takeover Act and related acts and regulations.)
  • Baums/Thoma. Takeover Laws in Europe. Köln: RWS-Verlag, 2002- (Loose leaf). (English Translation of the German Takeover Code of 1998, the Securities Acquisitions and Takeovers Act of December 2001 and the Securities Acquisitions and Takeovers Act – Bid Regulation of December 2001 and national takeover legislation and regulations from the other member states of the European Union and Switzerland.)
  • Nörr, R./Stiefenhöfer, A. Takeover Law in Germany. München: Beck, 2003. (Overview, glossary and synoptic translation of the Act on the Purchase of Securities and on Takeovers 2002 (German Takeover Act) and related regulations.)
  • Zschocke, C./Schuster, S. Wertpapiererwerbs- und Übernahmegesetz / Takeover Law. 2nd ed. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 2002. (German–English text edition of the new German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act with an introduction and extensive explanations.)

4. Business Regulation

4.1. Accounting Law

  • Deutsches Rechnungslegungs Standards Committee (Hrsg.)/German Accounting Standards Committee (ed.). Deutsche Rechnungslegungsstandards (DRS). German Accounting Standards (GAS) Stuttgart: Schaeffer-Poeschel, 2001. (Loose leaf) (English–German Text with preface. German–English Glossary with definitions only in German.)
  • Brooks, J.P./Mertin, D. German Accounting Legislation/Deutsches Bilanzrecht. 4th edition. Düsseldorf: IDW Verlag GmbH, 2005. (Part 1: German accounting principles explained in a synoptic German/English text and compared with US GAAP. Part 2: Translations of the relevant legal provisions (Commercial Code, Stock Corporation Law, Limited Liability Companies Law)

4.2. Antitrust Law

  • German Act against Restraints of Competition/Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen. (For further documents relating to the Act Against Restraints of Competition see the Federal Cartel Office site.)
  • Heidenhain, M./Satzky, H./Stadler, Ch., German Antitrust Law. 5th fully revised edition. New York/Frankfurt am Main: Juris Publishing/Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1999. (Synoptic German–English text of the Act Against Restraints of Competition (takes account of the Sixth Amendment of the Antitrust Act which came into force on January 1, 1999), translations of a number of important statements by the German Federal Cartel Office, useful bibliography of English publications.)

4.3. Banking Law/Financial Markets/Negotiable Instruments

  • Banking Act – Kreditwesengesetz. (Available in English and German from the official Website of Deutsche Bundesbank, the Central Bank of the Federal Republic of Germany.)
  • Panowitz, R./Jung, H. Kreditwesengesetz (German Banking Law). 2nd edition. Neuwied: Luchterhand Verlag, 1995. (German–English commentary.)
  • Peltzer, M./Brooks, J. German Banking Law. 3rd edition. Köln: Otto Schmidt Verlag, 1990. (German–English text in its revised version of July 11, 1995, with an introduction in English.)
  • Zerwas, H. Banking Act – Kreditwesengesetz. Düsseldorf: IDW Verlag GmbH, 1996. (German–English synopsis of the Banking Act as amended on December 31, 1995, with an introduction to the Banking Act and other banking laws.)
  • Securities Trading Act / Wertpapierhandelsgesetz.
  • Paul, T./Päsler, R. Das deutsche Investmentrecht. German Investment Law. 3rd ed. Frankfurt am Main: Knapp-Verlag, 2012. (German–English text of the Investment Companies Act (Gesetz über Kapitalanlagegesellschaften) and the Foreign Investment Act (Auslandsinvestment-Gesetz) with extensive introductions to the laws and translations of the General Fund Rules and some guidelines. German–English and English–German index and glossary.)
  • Siebel, U.R./Prinz zu Löwenstein, M./Finney, R. German Capital Markets Law. München/Dobbs Ferry: C.H. Beck/Oceana, 1996. (Compiles complete English translations of the laws affecting the German financial industry (e.g., German Stock Exchange Law, Stock Exchange Admission Regulations, the Deposit Law, the Special Conditions for Dealings in Securities, as well as important supplementary materials), preceded by a practice-related in-depth introduction.)
  • Mohr, K. German Insider and Stock Exchange Law / Insider- und Börsenrecht. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1994. (German–English text with commentary, including the Securities Trade Act, the Stock Exchange Law, and the Stock Exchange Admission Regulations.)
  • Peltzer, M./Scesniak, P. German Securities Trade Act / Wertpapierhandelsgesetz. Köln: Dr. Otto Schmidt Verlag, 1995. (Synoptic texts of the German law and its English translation with an introduction in English.)
  • BVI Bundesverband Deutscher Investment-Gesellschaften e.V. Investment Companies Act. General and Special Terms of Contract for Securities Funds and Money Market Funds. Frankfurt am Main: BVI, 1996. (English translation of the German Investment Companies Act, the General and Special Terms of Contract for Securities Funds and Money Market Funds, and a list of BVI members complete with addresses, telephone, and fax numbers.)

4.4. Insurance Law

  • Pfennigstorf, W. German Insurance Laws. Statutes and Regulations Concerning Insurance Supervision and Insurance Contracts. 3rd ed. Karlsruhe: Verlag Versicherungswirtschaft, 1995. (Summary in a synoptic German–English text of all applicable laws and regulations. Glossary of German terms and abbreviations with translations thereof, useful index.)
  • Law on the Supervision of Insurance Undertakings. Berlin: Bundesaufsichtsamt für das Versicherungswesen, 1997.

4.5. Environmental Law/Energy Law

4.6. Foreign Trade Law

  • Siebel, U. Aussenwirtschaftsrecht der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Foreign Trade Law of the Federal Republic of Germany). Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1989.
  • Introduction to Germany’s Foreign Trade Law and the Foreign Trade Regulations and synoptic German–English text of the law.

4.7. Other (Including Industry-Specific Laws)

5. German Business and Commercial Laws in the Vernacular – Major Websites

6. Business and Commercial Law Guides / Handbooks

6.1. General Business Law Guides

  • Rüster, B. (ed.). Business Transactions in Germany (FRG). New York, NY: Matthew Bender; München: C.H. Beck Verlag, current as per 2011. (Loose leaf). (Five-volume set in English providing very extensive and in-depth coverage of the various aspects of business dealings and business law in Germany. The different chapters were by authorities in these fields and gave an overview of the issues involved (such as the government and legal system, general private and commercial law, and business organization). Separate volume of translations of pertinent laws and code sections. Each chapter is preceded by an extensive table of contents. Detailed index of all chapters in volume 3.)
  • Mueller, R./Stiefel, E./Brücher, H. Doing Business in Germany. 9th edition. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag (in preparation). (A manual in English providing a short introduction to the German legal system, the law of contracts, and other aspects of law that you have to know for planning purposes.)
  • Reynolds, Thomas H./Flores, Arturo A. Foreign Law: Current Sources of Codes and Basic Legislation in Jurisdictions of the World. Littleton, CO: F. B. Rothman, 1989-. (Loose leaf). (Comprehensive five-volume encyclopedia designed for the practitioner, scholar, and researcher. It covers some 200 countries, each of them in a separate chapter. The chapter on Germany in volume II provides an overview of the country’s legal system and legal history, along with bibliographic sources relating hereto. This introduction is followed by a compilation of major publications in both German and English. It has a good subject arrangement by fields of law. Sources available in English are listed alphabetically at the very end of the chapter. This set is very current as it is supplemented three to four times annually.) (Also available online as a fee-based service; Germain, Claire M. Germain’s Transnational Law Research: A Guide for Attorneys. Ardsley-on-Hudson, NY: Transnational Juris Publications, Inc., 1991-. (Loose leaf). (This source covers the various procedural and practical aspects of foreign and international law, its substantive issues, and research sources in a well-organized loose leaf volume with extensive bibliographical references and footnoting. One chapter deals with the legal systems of individual countries, providing references to English translations and digests of primary sources, research guides, reference works, and bibliographies. It has a good index with cross-references to main entries, and appendices featuring a list of publishers in the field, depository libraries, and international organizations.)
  • Foster, N.G./Satish, S. German Legal System and Laws. London: Blackstone Press, 2010.
  • CCH Europe. German Tax & Business Law Guide. Droste Killius Triebel, ed. Bicester, England: CCH Europe,1992-. (Loose leaf). (Single-volume set in commentary/treatise form that is divided into a tax part and a business law part. It has an extensive index updated by a “latest additions to the index” section, as well as a separate cumulative index of new developments, and cases and legislation. Finding lists lead the reader to legislation in the various fields and to cases decided by German courts. Both are updated by a “latest additions to cases” section. Checklists feature important addresses of authorities, translations of the titles of legislation, and a German–English glossary of terms as well as forms. A separate division deals with the international aspects of income tax.)
  • Böcker, M.H./Märzheuser, B./Nusser, M./Scheja, K. Germany: Practical Commercial Law. European Commercial Law Series. London: Longman Group Ltd., 1992. (Intended to introduce the legal practitioner to German commercial law, this is a practical and straightforward guide which offers a wealth of information on a broad range of German legal issues, including industrial and intellectual property, competition law, business organizations, mergers and acquisitions, agency, insolvency, and others. The introduction explains the structure of the legal profession and the court system in Germany. It also features a legislation table and an index.)
  • Dannemann, G. An Introduction to German Civil and Commercial Law. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law, 1993.
  • Ebke, W.F. et al. Introduction to German Law. The Hague; London; Boston: Kluwer Law International, 2005. (This book discusses the most important areas of private and public law and gives an introduction to German legal culture. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field. It features an extensive table of contents and a summary of contents, a list of abbreviations, and a detailed index with both English and German keywords and cross-references (with translations into German of major keywords given in brackets). Each chapter has its own bibliography.)
  • Tremml, B./Buecker, B., eds. Key Aspects of German Business Law: A Practical Manual. Berlin/New York: Springer, 2008. (This book presents a clear and precise overview of the key aspects of German business law. Its first part explains the major issues involved in acquiring or establishing a business in Germany. The second part deals with specific fields of law. Differences between the German and US legal systems are explained and highlighted throughout. Includes a basic glossary of German terms and abbreviations with English translations.)
  • Hart, J.A. U.S. Business and Today’s Germany: A Guide for Corporate Executives and Attorneys. Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books, 1995. (Seeking to foster an understanding of Germany as a business partner, this volume provides an overview of the general business environment in Germany, the main forms of doing business, the principal laws involved, arranged by subject, and major US companies in Germany. It features a selected bibliography of German and English source material and a rather modest index.)

6.2. General Private and Commercial Law

6.2.1. Agency Law

  • Staubach, F. The German Law of Agency and Distributorship Agreements. European Commercial Law Library series. London: Oyez Publishing, 1977. (A commentary and guide that intends to present in a clear and simple form to the businessman and his professional advisers the leading features of the national commercial laws of the country concerned and covers all aspects of commercial and distributorship agreements in German law. It has a detailed and sizable index.)

6.2.2. Industrial and Intellectual Property Law

  • Beier, Friedrich-Karl. German Industrial Property, Copyright and Antitrust Laws. 3rd ed. Weinheim: VCH, 1996-.
  • Klitzsch, G./Stockmair, W. The Protection of Technical Innovations and Designs in Germany. 2nd ed. München: Beck, 2001. (A guide for practitioners through the intellectual property world of Germany with a side view to the provisions of the European Patent Convention and the practice of the European Patent Office. English and German Index.)
  • Kinsella, S/Gilbreth, M: (eds). Trademark Practice and Forms. Dobbs Ferry: Oceana, Loose leaf. (This multi-country guide (includes section on Germany) offers information on international trademark practice with detailed explanations of the laws and rules on initial registration requirements and procedures, transfers, assignments, licenses and means of enforcement, summaries of multilateral and bilateral agreements, and complete sets of forms for each country.)
  • Pagenberg, J./Beier, D./Abel, S. Lizenzverträge – License Agreements. 6th edition. Köln/Berlin/Bonn/München: Carl Heymanns Verlag KG, 2008. (Annotated sample contracts under German and European law regarding patents, utility models, know-how, and computer softwares, synoptically arranged in German and English. Six appendices, including various EEC regulations, and excerpts from the German Act against Restraints of Competition and the German Patent Act. Further, German and English indexes, a list of abbreviations, and an extensive bibliography of sources in German and English.)

6.2.3. Real Property Law/Business Tenancies

  • Mohr, K. The Law Relating to Business Tenancies in Germany. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1988. (Everything you have to know about business tenancies (Gewerbe-Mietrecht) from conclusion to notice. This practical guide reflects years of experience with foreign companies and is tailored to meet their needs.)
  • Jaeger, Gerold/Usinger, Wolfgang. Real Property in Germany. 8th edition. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 2019. (A guide through the legal, financial and taxation problems the foreign investor investing in German real property will encounter that is written in a clear and concise language by practitioners who are recognized experts in their fields. Two of the 15 chapters deal specifically with the taxation aspects of real property transactions; one chapter provides sample contracts in synoptic presentation of the German and English texts. Includes two pocket-part supplements devoted to specific problems involved in real property investments in East Germany, a keyword index in German and English, and a bibliography on the subject.)

6.3. Business Organization

6.3.1. Corporate Taxation

  • Killius, Jürgen. Business Operations in Germany. Tax Management Portfolios, Part III. Foreign Income; no. 962. Tax Management Inc., 1993-. (Loose leaf). (Detailed analysis of German income taxation as applied to individuals and corporations and a discussion of net worth tax, trade tax, the value-added tax, and inheritance tax. Includes working papers such as forms of tax returns, model articles of incorporation, summaries of the effect of tax treaties of Germany on dividends, interest and royalties, and the texts of the German tax treaties with the US. Updated by “changes and analysis” pages that are filed right behind the table of contents. Index and several finding tools such as a master index by subject, a code sections index, an estate, gifts and trusts classification guide and key word index, and a foreign income classification guide and key word index.)
  • Coopers & Lybrand Global Tax Network. 1997 International Tax Summaries/A Guide for Planning and Decisions. New York; Chichester; Brisbane; Toronto; Singapore: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997. (A basic practitioner’s guide published annually and providing essential domestic tax information overviews of a large number of countries, including Germany. For the many countries it covers, it is good for comparisons. It has no index or footnoting at all and no citations to legislation, cases, or literature.)
  • Taxation of Companies in Europe. Amsterdam: IFBD, loose leaf. (Country-by-country survey including Germany covering all taxes in connection with the taxation of companies: Corporate income taxation, taxes on capital, group taxation, VAT, and others.)
  • Debatin, Helmut/Endres, Dieter et al. Unternehmensbesteuerung in Deutschland. (Corporate Taxation in Germany). Düsseldorf: IDW-Verlag GmbH, 2000. (This book provides foreign businesses interested in Germany with concise but comprehensive information on the current German tax system, and aids foreign managers and international business consultants in their German investment planning. The text is synoptically presented in German and English. Part 1 explains the basic principles of German tax law that are of primary importance to foreign investors; Part 2 describes the Standortsicherungsgesetz (a recently adopted law to enhance Germany’s attractiveness as a business location), with an emphasis on those points pertaining to foreign tax planning; and Part 3 features the text and explanations of the relevant provisions of the Corporation Tax Act and other statutes. There is no subject index.)

6.3.2. Labor Law

  • Lingemann, S./Steinau-Steinrück, R./Mengel, A. Employment & Labor Law in Germany. 5th ed. München: Beck, 2022. (A brief and succinct overview of the German system of employment and labor law including the impact of social security and tax law plus translations of the most important German labor law statutes and codifications, including Works Constitutions Act, Act on Co-Determination of the Employees excerpts from the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, the Law Pertaining to Companies with Limited Liability, the Stock Corporation Act, and others.)
  • Weber, U./Wrede, B. German Labour Law. An Investor’s Guide to German Labour Law. Köln: PfA Praktikerforum für Arbeits- und Wirtschaftsrecht GmbH, 1996. (Extensive coverage of the pertinent legal provisions, as well as examples of cases, useful selection of sample contracts, notices of dismissal, and other documents in Part VIII, and a list of the official laws with an English translation.)
  • Tepass, M. Termination of Employment in Germany. New York: GACC Publication Services, 1996. (This booklet covers the most important aspects of German termination of employment law of interest to foreign investors and their counsel.)

6.3.3. Mergers and Acquisitions/Takeover of Companies

  • Beinert, D./Burmeister/Tries. Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers in Germany. 2nd ed. London/Boston: Kluwer Law International, 2016. (This book is addressed to business executives and their professional advisors, and provides a practical overview of the legal, financial, and administrative aspects instrumental in corporate mergers and acquisitions in Germany.)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions in Europe. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law, 1993. (An introduction to German civil and commercial law, including a detailed description of pertinent German corporation law.)
  • Stewart, Charles E. Mergers and Acquisitions in Germany. Dobbs Ferry: Oceana, 2000. (A monograph discussing the transfer of a business, labor law aspects, and U.S. and German taxation.)
  • Adolff, J./Meister, B. Public Company Takeovers in Germany. München: Beck, 2002. (Full account of the Takeover Act including an English/German Glossary and synoptic translation of Takeover Act and related acts and regulations.)
  • Stohlmeier, T. German Public Takeover Law. The Hague: Kluwer, 2007. (Bilingual edition with introduction, extensive overview and English index; German–English synoptic texts of the Securities Acquisitions and Takeover Act and related acts and regulations, excerpts from the Stock Corporation Act, Securities Trading Act, Act against Restraints of Competition and Stock Exchange Act).
  • Apfelbacher, G./Barthelmess, T. /Buhl, T. German Takeover Law – A Commentary. München: Beck, 2002. (Synopsis of English and German texts of the Takeover Act and the Bid Regulation plus commentary and English–German glossary. The book provides detailed guidance on the provisions of the Act and contains overviews of the principal cross-border, antitrust and regulatory aspects.)
  • Picot, G. Mergers & Acquisitions in Germany. 2nd ed. New York: Juris Publishing, 2000. (This handbook focuses on the aspects, which are of major significance in the area of mergers & acquisitions in Germany including management buy-outs and management buy-ins. It provides pertinent sections of the German Civil Code, Commercial Code, Stock Corporation Act, Conversion Act, Act against Unfair Dismissal, Works Constitution Act, and Insolvency Act in English translation with an English–German glossary of terms and English index.)
  • Adolff, J./Meister, B. Public Company Takeovers in Germany. München: Beck, 2002. (Extensive coverage of the Takeover Act with the relevant aspects of general corporate and securities law including an English/German glossary, useful Websites and synoptic translation of Takeover Act and related acts and regulations.)
  • Nörr, R./Stiefenhöfer, A. Takeover Law in Germany. München: Beck, 2003. (Clear overview of the new comprehensive and binding legal framework with glossary and synoptic translation of the Act on the Purchase of Securities and on Takeovers 2002 (German Takeover Act) and related regulations.)
  • Payne, J. (ed.). Takeovers in English and German Law. Oxford/Portland, Or.: Hart, 2002.

6.3.4. Business Regulation

Antitrust/Competition Law

  • Hoffmann, D./Schaub, S. The German Competition Law. Legislation and Commentary. Deventer, the Netherlands: Kluwer Law and Taxation Publishers, 1983. (This book in English contains pertinent legislation, pronouncements, and orders, along with explanatory memoranda and a commentary section with subsections devoted to an introduction, the scope of the GWB and a discussion of substantive law topics.)
  • McClatchey, J.F./Pennock, D.S. Obtaining Discovery Abroad. Chicago, Ill.: Section of Antitrust Law, American Bar Association, 1990.

Banking Law

  • Schwank, F./Ryder, F.R. (ed.). Banks Abroad. London: Barry Rose, A Division of Kluwer Law Publishers, 1986. (A compendium that offers a brief survey of the legal and business aspects of international bank operations in 17 countries, including Germany, and the European Economic Community. It has a table of banking legislation but no index.)
  • Edwards, J.S.S./Fischer, K. Banks, Finance and Investments in Germany. Cambridge; New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

Foreign Trade Law

  • Siebel, U. Aussenwirtschaftsrecht der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Foreign Trade Law of the Federal Republic of Germany). Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1989. (An introduction to the Foreign Trade Law and the Foreign Trade Regulations, with synoptic German–English text of the law.)

Energy Law

  • Corino, C. Energy Law in Germany. München: Beck, 2003. (Extensive introduction to German and European energy law including descriptions of the most important websites, synoptic translations of several laws and regulations, and a German–English and English–German glossary.)
  • German Energy Law – This website maintained by Attorney-at-Law Joachim Rudo, Berlin provides an introduction to German Energy Law and several translations of relevant German laws (archived by Internet Archives).

7. General Business Information Sources

7.1. General Information Sources about Doing Business in Germany

  • Randlesome, C. The Business Culture in Germany: A Portrait of a Power House. Oxford: Butterworth – Heinemann, 1994.
  • Kenna, P./Lacy, S. Business Germany: A Practical Guide to Understanding German Business Culture. Lincolnwood, Ill.: Passport Books, 1994. (A basic introduction to communication styles, business etiquette, meanings of gestures, etc., presented as a synoptic comparison of what is customary in the US and Germany.)
  • Berndt, C. Corporate Germany Between Globalization and Regional Place Dependence: Business Restructuring in the Ruhr Area. Houndmills/New York: Palgrave, 2001. (The research presented here stems from work on a Ph.D. dissertation and studies the economy in the Ruhr area in the first half of the 1990s. The material was collected during field work with large and Mittelstand firms in the Ruhr area in 1995 and 1996 with further investigations until 1998.)
  • International Trade Administration. 2020 US Country Commercial Guides: Germany, and Background Notes (as of June 2021) of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs. (An annual report on Germany for fiscal 2020 prepared by the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service and the Department of State from a business and commercial perspective; Background Notes providing a more general overview from the State Department’s Bureau for European and Eurasian Affairs.)
  • Price Waterhouse. Doing Business in Germany. New York: Price Waterhouse, 1991. (A guide prepared to assist those interested in doing business in Germany, it does not cover every subject exhaustively but answers some broad questions regarding Germany’s general and business environment, foreign investment, the regulatory environment, banking and finance, issues involved in exporting to Germany, legal forms of business, labor relations, the tax systems, etc. with some useful appendices, e.g., tax rates, a checklist for setting up in Germany, and examples of financial statements.)
  • Doing Business in Germany (Website maintained by the German Chamber of Commerce providing information on legal and other aspects of doing business in Germany.)
  • Doing Business in Germany. Urbacher Hacker Young International, 1993. (Offers an overview of aspects involved in doing business in Germany, including business organizations, accounting, taxes, labor law, and social insurance. A very basic source designed to offer a general idea of the subject.)
  • Reuvid, J. (ed.), Doing Business with Germany. London: Kogan Page, 2002. (An international handbook with chapters written by different contributors, parts 1-3 provide political, economic, and commercial background to business in Germany. Parts 4 and 5 offer technical guidance on the key elements of setting up and managing business operations in Germany. Appendices provide directory information on German business agencies, German Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Commerce.)
  • Eberwein, W./Tholen, J. Euro-manager or Splendid Isolation? International Management, An Anglo-German Comparison. Berlin; New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1993.
  • German American Chamber of Commerce of the Western United States. Exporting to Germany. New York, NY: GACC Publication Services, current edition.
  • Smyser, W.R. How Germans Negotiate: Logical Goals, Practical Solutions. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Institute of Peace Press, 2003. (The author describes and explains the geographic, historical, political and economic background to the way Germans negotiate, and also deals with the negotiating tactics adopted by German businesspeople and officials.)
  • Niedt, M./Hermanns, M. Germany as A Business Location. New York, NY: GACC Publication Services, 1994.
  • Meyer-Larsen, W. Germany, Inc.: The New German Juggernaut and Its Challenge to World Business. New York: John Wiley, 2000. (This book deals with German blue-chip companies that have started challenging corporate America and with the political, economic, and cultural developments lying at the bottom of this. Quoting examples, it highlights the differences in German/European and American business cultures.)
  • Germany Your Business Partner. Cologne: BfAI (Federal Office of Foreign Trade Information), 1994. (An information brochure on the framework for foreign trade with the Federal Republic of Germany designed to assist foreign business partners to set up businesses and take their first steps in the German market. It covers general aspects of Germany as a business location as well as the practical ones, such as legal issues, foreign trade regulations, taxes, promotion of regional economic development and of the new states, etc. Some useful appendices provide contact addresses of authorities, at federal and local level, economic promotion agencies, credit institutions, and industrial associations.)
  • Grochla, E. (ed.). Handbook of German Business Management. Stuttgart: C.E. Poeschel/Berlin, New York: Springer Verlag, 1990.
  • Abbott, S. Investing for the Future: New Firm Funding in Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA. London: Financial Times, Pittman Publishing, 1995.
  • Glouchevitch. P. Juggernaut. The German Way of Business. Why It Is Transforming Europe and the World. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
  • Wever, K. (ed.). Labor, Business and Change in Germany and the United States. Kalamazoo, Mich.: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 2001.
  • Rommel, G. Simplicity Wins. How Germany’s Mid-Sized Industrial Companies Succeed. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press, 1995.
  • Structure and Dynamics of the German Mittelstand. Heidelberg/New York: Physica-Verlag, 1999.
  • Schmidt, P.L. Understanding German and American Business Cultures. New York, NY: GACC Publication Services, 2003.
  • Hart, J.A. / U.S. Business and Today’s Germany: A Guide for Corporate Executives and Attorneys. Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books, 1995. (Seeking to foster an understanding of Germany as a business partner, this volume provides an overview of the general business environment in Germany, the main forms of doing business, the principal laws involved arranged by subject, and major US companies in Germany. It features a selected bibliography of German and English source material and a rather modest index.)
  • Pfirrmann, O. Venture Capital and New Technology Based Firms: An US-German Comparison. Heidelberg: Physica Verlag, 1997.

7.2. Company Directories

  • Deutsch-Amerikanische Geschäftsbeziehungen/German American Business Contacts – 1996.
  • Darmstadt: Verlag Hoppenstedt, 1996. (This business directory, which appears in both an English and German edition, is an index to companies arranged in four parts: Part I lists companies by their German domicile towns; Part II lists German companies with their US business partners; Part III, US companies with their German business partners; and Part IV companies according to SIC Code. The first index is arranged geographically by location, the second and third indices are arranged alphabetically by company, and the fourth by branch of industry. This directory includes some useful features such as a list of important US government offices in Germany and German government offices in the US, and lists of abbreviations of the US federal states and of general abbreviations and positions.)
  • Seibt Directory of German Industries. English edition. München: Seibt Verlag, 1996. (A directory in English, French, German, and Spanish. It lists companies and their products in four indices: an alphabetical index of product designations, a classified register of manufacturers and suppliers, a classified register of manufacturers according to the German industrial standard, and an alphabetical company index. Priority in selecting companies for inclusion in the directory is given to manufacturers of investment goods and industry-related service companies (also available on CD-ROM).
  • German American Chamber of Commerce of the Western United States. Starting a Business in Germany. New York, NY: GACC Publication Services, current edition.
  • German American Chamber of Commerce. Subsidiaries of German Firms in the U.S. Tochtergesellschaften deutscher Unternehmen in den USA 2001/2002. New York, NY: GACC Publication Services, current edition. (This source provides a number of indices that list subsidiaries of German firms in the US (in an alphabetical directory, and classified by state and SIC Code). Entries include, beside the address, the type of products, number of employees, name and address of parent in Germany, Website and e-mail information, if any.)

7.3. Online Attorney Directories (Selection)

  • Anwaltsverzeichnis (The online version of the German attorney directory published by Deutscher Anwaltsverein (German Lawyers’ Association).
  • German Commercial Law Firms 2021/2022. A Handbook for International Clients. Köln: JUVE – Verlag für juristische Information, 2011. (Appears as an annual reference work in print format with extensive information on the German legal market. Also available as a database containing nearly 3,000 entries on German commercial law firms.
  • Martindale Hubbell National and International Law Directory (The very current online version of the US and international attorney directory, which is also available in print and on CD-ROM.)
  • The German Law Archive – This website features cases, statutes and literature on German Law in English language and runs a database on German law. Ideas on German law can be exchanged in its discussion forum.
  • The International Centre for Commercial Law – A great site to check for law firms and business law, with indices to law firms by practice area, and to find out about recent legal developments.
  • Lex Mundi The site of an international law firm network which provides a searchable database for law firms and lawyers worldwide.
  • Hieros Gamos, the Comprehensive Legal Site – A site which provides access to international law firms, business guides, a searchable law firm directory and a law library.
  • The Virtual Foreign and International Legal Resources Collection of New York University School of Law Library – An extensive collection with an excellent compilation of laws, directories, dictionaries and other legal materials, including Germany.
  • German Law: Resources in English via the Law-Related Internet Project Saarbrücken – A comprehensive collection of German statutes and other legal materials in English, with references to many other legal links.

8.1. Dictionaries in Print Format

  • Kageneck, Karl-Erbo Graf. Begriffswörterbuch der deutsch-amerikanischen Rechtssprache – Immobilien und Steuern. (Dictionary of Terms in German-American Legalese) München: C.H. Beck, 1998.
  • Business German Dictionary. English–German/German–English. Teddington: Peter Collins Publishing, 1994. (This dictionary, with 50,000 entries, comprehensively covers all aspects of business, including British/US usage. Textboxes illustrate usage by quotes from authoritative sources such as major newspapers. Useful features include a list of international telephone codes, instructions on how to answer the phone in German, a synoptic presentation of how to draft a curriculum vitae or job application in German and English, as well as lists of UK counties, US states, Canadian provinces, German states, and Swiss cantons.)
  • Kageneck, Karl-Erbo Graf. Deutsch-amerikanisches Begriffslexikon für Direktinvestitionen. Immobilien Steuern Gesellschaftsrecht Allgemeines. (German-American Dictionary of Terms for Direct Investment. Real Estate, Taxes, Corporate Law, General.) München: C.H. Beck, 1998. (Addressed to translators, legal advisors, private investors and corporate consultants this dictionary, which covers 1200 entries and 250 topics, defines German legal terms and concepts in English and vice versa. Features standard contracts in English and an alphabetical index of English terms.)
  • Zahn, H.E. Dictionary of Banking and Stock Trading / Wörterbuch für das Bank- und Börsenwesen. 4th completely revised edition. Part 1: German–English: 1994; Part 2: English–German: 1996. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1994/1996. (A comprehensive dictionary with over 70,000 entries, designed for users in business and the financial service sector and translators, this source carries terms from all fields involved in modern business, including since its most recent edition the futures, options, swaps, and other derivative instruments business. It illustrates differing meanings of terms by the example of sentences; and provides explanations of mechanisms, instruments, and institutions involved in banking and stock trading.)
  • Romain, A. Dictionary of Legal and Commercial Terms. Part I: English–German. 5th edition, 2000. Part II: German–English. 3rd edition, 1994. München: C.H. Beck. (A handy dictionary that provides good coverage of the terminology of the field.)
  • Zahn, H.E. Englisch-Deutsches Glossarium finanzieller und wirtschaftlicher Fachausdrücke. (English–German Glossary of Financial and Commercial Terms) 3rd completely revised edition. Frankfurt am Main: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 1989. (A practice-oriented reference source with banking terminology as one of its central parts.)
  • Völkel, R. Exportgeschäft von A-Z: Leitfaden und Fachwörterbuch; Deutsch/Englisch, Englisch/Deutsch. Berlin: Springer, 2001. (Explains the main aspects of export business in German and provides essential terms and phrases in context.)
  • Schäfer, W. Financial Dictionary. Fachwörterbuch Finanzen, Banken, Börse. Part I: English–German. 3rd edition, in preparation. Part II: German–English. 2nd edition, 1992. München: C.H. Beck.
  • Zahn, H.E. Glossarium der Wirtschaft, Englisch-Deutsch. Frankfurt: Fritz Knapp Verlag, 2002.
  • Law and Commercial Dictionary in Five Languages. München: C.H. Beck (in association with du Juris-Classeurs, Paris/West Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minn.), 1985. (A two-volume set providing definitions of the legal and commercial terms and phrases of American, English and civil law jurisdictions. English to German, Spanish, French, Italian.)
  • Collin, P.H. et al. PONS Fachwörterbuch Wirtschaft: Englisch-Deutsch, Deutsch-Englisch. Stuttgart: Klett, 2000. (Dictionary with 12,000 English words and phrases indicating use in context in quotations from newspapers, magazines, and journals.)
  • Routledge German Dictionary of Business, Commerce and Finance: German–English/English–German = Wörterbuch für Wirtschaft, Handel und Finanzen Englisch: deutsch-englisch/englisch-deutsch. London/New York: Routledge, 1997. (Comprehensive coverage of business terminology with appendices on business correspondence and documents (job applications, CVs, offer of employment etc.), job titles used in commerce, stock exchanges, and others.)
  • Britt, C. Wiley’s English–German, German–English Business Dictionary. New York, N.Y.: Wiley, 1995. (A dictionary of business terms which aims to provide the user with the most frequently used terms in international business dealings. Is based on an original word frequency study funded by EXXON Educational Foundation.)
  • Bernem, Theodor v. Wirtschaftsenglisch – Wörterbuch: englisch-deutsch, deutsch-englisch. München: R. Oldenbourg, 1991.
  • Schäfer, W. Wirtschaftswörterbuch (Dictionary of Economic Terms). Volume I: English–German. 6th revised edition, 1998. Volume II: German–English. 5th revised edition, 1997. München: Vahlen, 1996/1997. (Also available in CD-ROM format: Schäfer, W. & M. Windows Hyperbook, Version 3.0, 1999; Version 2.0, 1997) (With 58,000 entries in volume I and 54,000 entries in Volume II, this two-volume set provides translations of economic terms along with explanatory annotations of meanings in different fields.)
  • Dietl, C.E./Lorenz, E. Wörterbuch für Recht, Wirtschaft und Politik/Dictionary of Legal, Commercial and Political Terms. Part I: English–German. 5th edition, 1990. Part II: German–English, 4th ed., 1992. München: C.H. Beck, 1990/1992. (Also available on CD-ROM, 1st edition, 1997) (This comprehensive and useful dictionary combines translations of terms and commentaries on their content in German and English, as well as explanations of the peculiarities of American usage.)

8.2. Online Dictionaries and Translating Aids

  • Dictionary German–English/English–German (A dictionary with 160,000 entries maintained by Chemnitz University.)
  • LEO English/German Dictionary (An online dictionary with nearly 400,000 entries maintained by the information technology department of Munich Technical University. Incorporated is Honey’s Business dictionary with 34,000 entries.)
  • The New English–German Dictionary (A German–English/English–German dictionary with 190,000 entries available for download.)
  • Translations of German Court Names (The German Federal Foreign Office has published this list of translations of German court names in 12 languages, including English.)

9. Alphabetical Index of Law Available in Translation

9.1. English–German

  • Accounting Standards – Rechnungslegungsstandards
  • Act Against Restraints of Competition – Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen
  • Act Against Unfair Competition – Gesetz gegen unlauteren Wettbewerb
  • Act Introducing the Insolvency Code – Einführungsgesetz zur Insolvenzordnung
  • Act on Limited Liability Companies – Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung
  • Act on the Assessment of Environmental Impacts – Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz
  • Arbitration Act – Schiedsgerichtsordnung
  • Atomic Energy Act – Atomenergiegesetz
  • Banking Act – Kreditwesengesetz
  • Bankruptcy Act – Konkursgesetz
  • Battery Ordinance – Batterieverordnung
  • Bio Mass Ordinance – Biomasseverordnung
  • (Federal) Building Code – Bundesbaugesetz
  • Bundesbank Act – Bundesbankgesetz
  • Chemicals Act – Chemikaliengesetz
  • Civil Code – Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch
  • Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act – Kreislaufwirtschafts- und Abfallgesetz
  • Code of Civil Procedure (Rules) – Zivilprozessordnung
  • Co-Determination Act – Mitbestimmungsgesetz
  • Commercial Wastes Ordinance – Gewerbeabfallverordnung
  • Commercial Code – Handelsgesetzbuch – Seuchenrechtsneuordnungsgesetz
  • Communicable Diseases Law Reform Act – Seuchenrechtsneuordnungsgesetz
  • Copyright Act – Urheberrechtsgesetz
  • Co-operative Societies Act – Genossenschaftsgesetz
  • Corporation Tax Law/Corporation Tax Law – Körperschaftsteuergesetz
  • Court Composition Act – Vergleichsordnung
  • (Federal) Data Protection Act – Bundesdatenschutzgesetz
  • Deposit Act/Deposit Law – Depotgesetz
  • Design Act – Geschmacksmustergesetz
  • Digital Signature Act – Signaturgesetz
  • Employees Inventions Act/Law on Employees’ Inventions – Gesetz über Arbeitnehmererfindungen
  • Employment Promotion Act – Arbeitsförderungsgesetz
  • End-of-life Vehicle Act – Altfahrzeuggesetz
  • Energy Law – Energiewirtschaftsgesetz
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Act – Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung
  • Environmental Information Act – Umweltinformationsgesetz
  • (German) Environmental Laws – Umweltgesetzgebung
  • Environmental Liability Act – Umwelthaftungsgesetz
  • Foreign Investment Act – Auslandsinvestment-Gesetz
  • Foreign Taxation Law/Foreign Tax Act – Aussensteuergesetz
  • Hours of Working Act – Arbeitszeitgesetz
  • (Federal) Emission Control Act – Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz
  • Income Tax Law/Income Tax Act – Einkommensteuergesetz
  • Information and Communication Services Act – Informations- und Kommunikationsdienste-Gesetz
  • Insolvency Code/Insolvency Act/Insolvency Statute – Insolvenzordnung
  • Introductory Act for the Code of Civil Procedure (Rules) – Einführungsgesetz zur Zivilprozessordnung
  • Introductory Act to the Civil Code – Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch
  • Investment Companies Act – Gesetz über Kapitalanlagegesellschaften
  • Labor Management Relations Act – Betriebsverfassungsgesetz
  • Law against Restraints on Competition – Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen (Kartellgesetz)
  • Law Governing Standard Business Conditions – Gesetz zur Regelung des Rechts der Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen (abolished by the law of obligations reform)
  • Law of Obligations – Schuldrecht
  • Law of Reorganizations – Umwandlungsgesetz
  • Law on the Administration of Copyright and Neighboring Rights – Zrheberrechts-Wahrnehmungsgesetz
  • Law on the Extension of Industrial Property Rights – Gesetz über die Erstreckung von gewerblichen Schutzrechten
  • (German) Law Pertaining to Companies with Limited Liability – Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH-Gesetz)
  • Major Accidents Ordinance – Störfallverordnung
  • Monthly Returns Regulation for Stock Brokers – Skontroführer-Monatsausweisverordnung
  • (Federal) Nature Protection Act/Nature Conservation Act – Bundesnaturschutzgesetz
  • Network Access Ordinance – Netzzugangsverordnung
  • Ordinance concerning Telecommunications Licence Fees – Telekommunikations-Lizenzgebührenverordnung
  • Ordinance on Bio Wastes – Bioabfallverordnung
  • Ordinance on Electronic Signatures – Signaturverordnung
  • Ordinance on Environmentally Compatible Storage of Waste – Ablagerungsverordnung
  • Ordinance on Specialised Waste Management Companies – Entsorgungsfachbetriebeverordnung
  • Ordinance on Transport Licenses – Transportgenehmigungsverordnung
  • Ordinance on Waste Discovery and Disposal Records – Nachweisverordnung
  • Ordinance on Waste Management Concepts and Waste Balance Sheets – Abfallwirtschaftskonzept- und bilanzverordnung
  • Packaging Ordinance – Verpackungsverordnung
  • Patent Act – Patentgesetz
  • Persons with Disabilities Act – Schwerbehindertengesetz
  • Plant Variety Protection Act – Sortenschutzgesetz
  • Postal Act – Postgesetz
  • Postal Rates Regulation Ordinance – Postentgeltregulierungsverordnung
  • Postal Universal Service Ordinance – Post-Universaldienstleistungsverordnung
  • Private Companies Act – GmbH-Gesetz
  • Product Liability Act – Produkthaftungsgesetz
  • Prospectus Act – Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz (Verkaufsprospektgesetz)
  • Protection from Dismissal Act/Act Against Unfair Dismissal – Kündigungsschutzgesetz
  • Publishing Act – Verlagsgesetz
  • (Federal) Regional Planning Act – Raumordnungsgesetz
  • Renewable Energy Sources Act – Gesetz über erneuerbare Energien
  • Reorganization Tax Law – Umwandlungsteuergesetz
  • Reports Regulation – Anzeigenverordnung
  • Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act/Takeover Law – Wertpapiererwerbs- und Übernahmegesetz
  • Securities Trade Act – Wertpapierhandelsgesetz
  • (Federal) Soil Protection Ordinance – Bundes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung
  • Social Security Code – Sozialversicherungsgesetz
  • (Federal) Soil Protection Act – Bodenschutzgesetz
  • Stock Corporation Act – Aktiengesetz
  • Stock Exchange Admission Regulations – Börsenzulassungsverordnung
  • Stock Exchange Law – Börsengesetz
  • Takeover Code – Übernahmekodex
  • Telecommunications Act – Telekommunikationsgesetz
  • Telecommunications Customer Protection Ordinance – Telekommunikations-Kundenschutzverordnung
  • Telecommunications Data Protection Ordinance – Telekommunikationsdienstunternehmen – Datenschutzverordnung
  • Telecommunications Interception Ordinance – Telekommunikationsüberwachungsverordnung
  • Telecommunications Rates Regulation Ordinance -Telekommunikations-Entgeltregulierungsverordnung
  • Telecommunications Universal Service Ordinance – Telekommunikations – Universaldienstleistungsverordnung
  • Teleservices Act – Teledienstegesetz
  • Teleservices Data Protection Act – Teledienstedatenschutzgesetz
  • Trademark Act – Markengesetz
  • Trade Tax Act – Gewerbesteuergesetz
  • Transformation Act – Umwandlungsgesetz
  • Transformation Taxation Act – Umwandlungsteuergesetz
  • Turnover Tax Law – Umsatzsteuergesetz
  • Utility Model Act – Gebrauchsmustergesetz
  • Waste Water Charges Act – Abwasserabgabengesetz
  • (Federal) Water Act – Wasserhaushaltsgesetz
  • Works Constitution Act – Betriebsverfassungsgesetz

9.2. German–English

  • Abfallwirtschaftskonzept- und bilanzverordnung – Ordinance on Waste Management Concepts and Waste Balance Sheets
  • Ablagerungsverordnung – Ordinance on Environmentally Compatible Storage of Waste
  • Abwasserabgabengesetz – Waste Water Charges Act
  • Aktiengesetz – Stock Corporation Act
  • Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen der Banken für das Wertpapiergeschäft – Special Conditions for Dealings in Securities
  • Altfahrzeuggesetz – End-of-life Vehicle Act
  • Anzeigenverordnung – Reports Regulation
  • Arbeitsförderungsgesetz – Employment Promotion Act
  • Arbeitszeitgesetz – Hours of Working Act
  • Atomenergiegesetz – Atomic Energy Act
  • Auslandsinvestmentgesetz – Foreign Investment Act
  • Außensteuergesetz – Foreign Taxation Law/Foreign Tax Act
  • Batterieverordnung – Battery Ordinance
  • Betriebsverfassungsgesetz – Labor Management Relations Act
  • Bioabfallverordnung – Ordinance on Bio Wastes
  • Bio Mass Ordinance – Biomasseverordnung
  • Bodenschutzgesetz – Federal Soil Protection Act
  • Bundesbodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung – Federal Soil Protection Ordinance
  • Börsengesetz – Stock Exchange Law
  • Börsenzulassungsverordnung – Stock Exchange Admission Regulation
  • Bundesbankgesetz – Bundesbank Act
  • Bundesbaugesetz – Federal Building Code
  • Bundesdatenschutzgesetz – Federal Data Protection Act
  • Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz – Federal Emission Control Act
  • Bundesnaturschutzgesetz – Federal Nature Protection Act/Nature Conservation Act
  • Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch – Civil Code
  • Chemikaliengesetz – Chemicals Act
  • Depotgesetz – Deposit Act/Deposit Law
  • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch – Introductory Act to the Civil Code
  • Einführungsgesetz zur Insolvenzordnung – Act Introducing the Insolvency Code
  • Einführungsgesetz zur Zivilprozessordnung – Introductory Act for the Code of Civil Procedure (Rules)
  • Einkommensteuergesetz – Income Tax Act/Income Tax Law
  • Energiewirtschaftsgesetz – Energy Law
  • Entsorgungsfachbetriebeverordnung – Ordinance on Specialised Waste Management Companies
  • Gebrauchsmustergesetz – Utility Model Act
  • Genossenschaftsgesetz – Co-operative Societies Act
  • Geschmacksmustergesetz – Design Act
  • Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung – Law Pertaining to Companies with Limited Liability
  • Gesetz gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen (Kartellgesetz) – Law against Restraints on Competition
  • Gesetz gegen unlauteren Wettbewerb – Act Against Unfair Competition
  • Gesetz über Arbeitnehmererfindungen – Employees Inventions Act/Law on Employees’ Inventions
  • Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung – Environmental Impact Assessment Act
  • Gesetz über die Erstreckung von gewerblichen Schutzrechten (Erstreckungsgesetz) – Law on the Extension of Industrial Property Rights
  • Kündigungsschutzgesetz/Protection from Dismissal Act/Act Against Unfair Dismissal
  • Gewerbeabfallverordnung – Commercial Wasts Ordinance
  • Markengesetz – Trademark Act
  • Mitbestimmungsgesetz – Co-Determination Act
  • Nachweisverordnung – Ordinance on Waste Discovery and Disposal Records
  • Netzzugangsverordnung – Network Access Ordinance
  • Patentgesetz – Patent Act
  • Postgesetz – Postal Act
  • Postentregulierungsverordnung – Postal Rates Regulation Ordinance
  • Post-Universaldienstleistungsverordnung – Postal Universal Service Ordinance
  • Produkthaftungsgesetz – Product Liability Act
  • Raumordnungsgesetz – Federal Regional Planning Act
  • Rechnungslegungsstandards – Accounting Standards
  • Schiedsgerichtsordnung – Arbitration Act
  • Schuldrecht – Law of Obligations
  • Schwerbehindertengesetz – Persons with Disabilities Act
  • Seuchenrechtsneuordnungsgesetz – Communicable Diseases Law Reform Act
  • Signaturgesetz – Digital Signature Act
  • Signaturverordnung – Ordinance on Electronic Signatures
  • Skontroführer-Monatsnachweisverordnung – Monthly Returns Regulation for Stock Brokers
  • Sortenschutzgesetz – Plant Variety Protection Act
  • Sozialversicherungsgesetz – Social Security Code
  • Schuldrecht – Law of Obligations
  • Störfallverordnung – Major Accidents Ordinance
  • Teledienstedatenschutzgesetz – Teleservices Data Protection Act
  • Teledienstegesetz – Teleservices Act
  • Telekommunikationsdienstunternehmen-Datenschutzverordnung – Telecommunications Data Protection Ordinance
  • Telekommunikations-Entgeltregulierungsverordnung – Telecommunications Rates Regulation Ordinance
  • Telekommunikationsgesetz – Telecommunications Law
  • Telekommunikations-Kundenschutzverordnung – Telecommunications Customer Protection Ordinance
  • Telekommunikations-Lizenzgebührenverordnung – Ordinance concerning Telecommunications Licence Fees
  • Telekommunikationsüberwachungsverordnung – Telecommunications Interception Ordinance
  • Telekommunikations-Universaldienstleistungsverordnung – Telecommunications Universal Service Ordinance
  • Transportgenehmigungsverordnung – Ordinance on Transport LIcenses
  • Übernahmekodex – Takeover Code
  • Umsatzsteuergesetz – Turnover Tax Law
  • Umwandlungsgesetz – Reorganization Act
  • Umwandlungsteuergesetz – Reorganization Tax Act/Reorganization Tax Law/Reconstructions Tax Act
  • Umweltgesetzgebung – Environmental Laws
  • Umwelthaftungsgesetz – Environmental Liability Act
  • Umweltinformationsgesetz – Environmental Information Act
  • Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfungsgesetz – Act on the Assessment of Environmental Impacts
  • Urheberrechtsgesetz – Copyright Act
  • Urheberrechts-Wahrnehmungsgesetz – Law on the Administration of Copyright and Neighboring Rights
  • Vergleichsordnung – Court Composition Act
  • Verlagsgesetz – Publishing Act
  • Verpackungsverordnung – Packaging Ordinance
  • Wasserhaushaltsgesetz – Federal Water Act
  • Wertpapiererwerbs- und Übernahmegesetz – Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act
  • Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – Securities Trade Act
  • Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz/Verkaufsprospektgesetz
  • Zivilprozessordnung – Code of Civil Procedure (Rules)