The first-ever case to be held in English in the German courts has been heard after a recent ruling permitted the use of the English language in commercial cases in a bid to win more international business.

The German regional court in Bonn heard Belgian company BDC International's claim of lost profits against German electrical engineering group Moeller, which concluded on 31 May, in English.

A pilot case had previously been held at the end of March in Duesseldorf after the German state of Rhine-Westphalia said that it was looking to facilitate the use of English in commercial court cases where necessary.

For a case to be dealt with in English, the federal Bar requires three stipulations be met: all the participants have to make the request; the use of an interpreter is banned; and there must be an international element to the case.

Linklaters Germany ex-managing partner Markus Hartung said: "The Government and the federal Bar started this initiative to be able to cater for cases in English so that the German legal system would be more attractive for international investors.

"Unlike the English system, every party is allowed to talk directly to the judge, making it even more necessary for international companies to have the use of a common language."

The use of English has now been implemented in several forums including regional courts in Cologne, Bonn and Aachen. A bill is also currently in discussion to allow for written submissions and verdicts to be dealt with in English, taking the initiative one step further.

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