The word lawyer in German means “acting/exercising power”. A lawyer can be male or female, and the professional title for a German lawyer is Rechtsanwalt (male) or Rechtsanwltin (female). If you’d like to become a lawyer in Germany, read this article to learn about this legal profession. It will also explain the legal privilege of a German lawyer. It will make the German legal system a lot easier to understand.
Rechtsanwalt (male) or Rechtsanwltin (female) is the professional title of a German lawyer
A German lawyer is a qualified independent agent of the administration of justice. He or she may use the professional titles of Rechtsanwalt (male) or Rechtsanwaltin (female). These professional titles are reserved for lawyers who are fully qualified in their field of practice. The use of these titles is analogous to that of a counselor in the USA, where the title ‘counselor’ is used.
In Germany, a lawyer may be a male or a female. Both male and female lawyers hold this title. The German Bar Association maintains an official register of German lawyers. Using this register, you can easily check a particular lawyer’s credentials. The German Bar Association has an online directory of lawyers. Rechtsanwalts may also post their personal and professional qualifications on the register.
Anwalt means to appear/represent clients in court
Lawyers in Germany are called Rechtsanwalt and Rechtsanwaltin, respectively. Only fully qualified attorneys can call themselves Rechtsanwalt or Anwalt. The term “Anwalt” in German corresponds to the American word “counselor” in English. In a nutshell, the role of a lawyer in Germany is to represent and advise clients in court.
The legal privilege of a German lawyer
A German lawyer’s communication with his or her client is protected by the professional secrecy of the attorney. This privilege applies in criminal, administrative, and investigative proceedings, as well as in civil litigation. In civil proceedings, the attorney is not required to disclose documents and information that are confidential unless the client gives his or her express permission. The privilege also protects an attorney’s client’s trust and benefit. A privilege in Germany is traditionally referred to as a client privilege, but it can be waived in part or fully. If a lawyer is called upon to testify about the information gathered during his or her professional duty, he or she can decline to disclose the information.
While privilege protection exists in common law, it is largely limited in German law. In a civil case, the parties must submit relevant information and evidence to establish the facts of their case. Generally, the defendant’s only right to inspect documents referred to in the claimant’s submissions is to examine these documents. In the absence of this right, however, the court may refuse to order the disclosure of a document.