Paying additional fees for bailiffs due to the implementation of electronic court services
In the German legal system, bailiffs play a crucial role in enforcing court orders, such as debt collection and eviction proceedings. Operating under the authority of the courts, they are essential for maintaining legal order in the country.
According to the Regulation on the Remuneration of Female and Male Bailiffs, the remuneration for bailiffs is primarily based on fees and costs reimbursement for their services. These fees can include charges for serving documents or enforcing court judgments, and are often established by legal regulations.
However, with the increasing use of electronic legal proceedings, there is a growing need to update remuneration schemes to account for the new costs associated with these technologies. SPD Legal Expert Sonja Bongers has emphasised the urgency for an official evaluation, highlighting the need for a new remuneration scheme to cover the costs of electronic legal proceedings.
Bongers' call for an assessment comes as the acquisition of necessary equipment and office restructurings for electronic legal proceedings have incurred significant costs for bailiffs, which are not currently being covered. This has led to a situation where the remuneration under the current provisions does not sufficiently cover the costs for the introduction and operation of electronic legal proceedings.
Bongers has stated that the justice system must keep pace with technological advances, and that these costs should be reimbursed. She made this statement in the Düsseldorf State Parliament, where she called for an official evaluation to assess the one-time costs for the mentioned acquisitions and office restructurings, as well as the accrued recurring costs, in order to incorporate them into a new remuneration scheme.
It's important to note that bailiffs perform their duties for the common good, not voluntarily or for personal enjoyment. The remuneration introduced in 2014 did not consider the costs associated with electronic legal proceedings, which has led to the current situation. If remuneration is insufficient, a hardship application can be made under § 5 GVVergVO.
In conclusion, SPD Legal Expert Sonja Bongers has called for an official evaluation to address the lack of coverage for the costs associated with electronic legal proceedings in the remuneration of German bailiffs. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to ensure the fair and effective operation of the German justice system in the digital age.
- The need for an evaluation of the remuneration scheme for German bailiffs, as highlighted by SPD Legal Expert Sonja Bongers, is crucial due to the significant costs incurred from acquiring necessary equipment and office restructurings for electronic legal proceedings.
- As the justice system continues to evolve with technological advances, it's essential to update the remuneration scheme for bailiffs to cover the costs associated with electronic legal proceedings, ensuring their ability to perform their duties effectively in the digital age.
