I bought the horse in Germany. Can I still take action?

Yes. Under German law, too, the buyer has rights if a horse has a defect. Which law applies depends on what was agreed and on whether you bought as a consumer or as a business. Within the EU, a judgment can also be enforced in the other country. Because our firm includes Rechtsanwälte, we handle such cases in both countries from a single file. Please note: the time limits for complaining can be short.

What is a Rechtsanwalt?

A Rechtsanwalt is a lawyer admitted to practise in Germany. Bavelaar Advocaten includes both Dutch lawyers (advocaten) and Rechtsanwälte, so we can advise you under Dutch and German law and litigate in both countries.

Can you represent me in proceedings before a German court?

Yes. Our Rechtsanwälte assist you in court proceedings in Germany. Our founder is admitted in both the Netherlands and Germany, so you keep the same lawyer in both countries.

Which German law matters can you help me with?

We advise in particular on German corporate and company law, real estate law, employment law, equine law and road traffic law. For other areas of law, we can call on our flexible network.

Do your lawyers speak Dutch and German?

Yes. We work in Dutch, German and English. Our Rechtsanwälte speak Dutch, so you can discuss your case in the language you are most comfortable with.

Which rules apply to the work of your Rechtsanwälte?

For advice and proceedings under German law, our Rechtsanwälte act as German lawyers. The German rules of professional conduct and the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG, the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act) apply. We explain this in advance in the engagement letter.

Can you also help outside the Netherlands and Germany?

Yes. Bavelaar Advocaten is a member of IR Global, an international network of independent law firms. Through that network, we can help you quickly and expertly in more than 155 jurisdictions.

German law

Bavelaar Advocaten & Rechtsanwälte advises on the full range of German law for Dutch and international businesses and individuals with interests in Germany, and for German clients in the Netherlands. Our German-qualified Rechtsanwälte advise and litigate from Amsterdam and Hamburg, including before the German courts.

With offices in Amsterdam and Hamburg, we advise Dutch businesses with interests in Germany and German businesses with interests in the Netherlands. In Dutch, German or English, including before the German courts.

Mr. Dr. Paul Bavelaar LL.M

Lawyer (advocaat) & Rechtsanwalt

Hamburg with the Elbphilharmonie on the waterfront

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Areas of focus
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For businesses

You do business in Germany or with a German party

For individuals

You have a matter that is governed by German law

German law looks much like Dutch law, until it matters

Dutch and German law are increasingly shaped by European rules, but the national differences remain substantial. That is why we never simply assume that German law matches Dutch law. Our firm includes Rechtsanwälte who speak Dutch, know German practice inside out and represent you in German proceedings.

What is it about?

Two lawyers in conversation on a canal-side walkway with flower boxes

Advocaat and Rechtsanwalt

Our founder has been a Dutch lawyer (advocaat) since 1993 and a German Rechtsanwalt since 1996. For many years he headed the German Desk at major law firms. That dual admission means you do not need two firms for a case that spans both countries. You deal directly with the lawyer who also appears before the German court.

Articles on German law

Two businesswomen reviewing and signing a contract

Terminating a distribution agreement: where it usually goes wrong

Contracts and distribution
German law

Ending a distribution relationship looks simple when the contract sets out a notice period. That is precisely when things tend to go wrong.

A German court order takes effect throughout the EU

Contracts and distribution
German law
International

A decision by a German authority does not stay in Germany. For businesses operating on both sides of the border, that changes the calculation.

Doing business in Germany: GmbH, AG or branch?

German law
Corporate law

Anyone starting operations in Germany has to decide how. An overview of the usual structures and the choices that come with them.

Amsterdam canal with trees, boats and canal houses

German real estate funds in the Netherlands and Dutch investors in German real estate

German law
Corporate law
International

Buying property across the border looks much like buying at home, but the differences in notarial practice, registers and taxes are considerable.

Dutch employee in Germany: which employment law applies?

Employment law
German law
International

A Dutch contract for work in Germany seems practical. But which employment law then applies, and what protection against dismissal?

Horse lorries at a border crossing with the European flag

Horse bought in Germany: which law applies?

Sale disputes
International
German law

A German seller, a Dutch buyer and a horse that turns out not to be what was agreed. Which law applies, and where can you bring proceedings?

Our experts

Frequently asked questions about German law

Yes. Under German law, too, the buyer has rights if a horse has a defect. Which law applies depends on what was agreed and on whether you bought as a consumer or as a business. Within the EU, a judgment can also be enforced in the other country.
Because our firm includes Rechtsanwälte, we handle such cases in both countries from a single file. Please note: the time limits for complaining can be short.
A Rechtsanwalt is a lawyer admitted to practise in Germany. Bavelaar Advocaten includes both Dutch lawyers (advocaten) and Rechtsanwälte, so we can advise you under Dutch and German law and litigate in both countries.
Yes. Our Rechtsanwälte assist you in court proceedings in Germany. Our founder is admitted in both the Netherlands and Germany, so you keep the same lawyer in both countries.
We advise in particular on German corporate and company law, real estate law, employment law, equine law and road traffic law. For other areas of law, we can call on our flexible network.
Yes. We work in Dutch, German and English. Our Rechtsanwälte speak Dutch, so you can discuss your case in the language you are most comfortable with.
For advice and proceedings under German law, our Rechtsanwälte act as German lawyers. The German rules of professional conduct and the Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG, the German Lawyers’ Remuneration Act) apply. We explain this in advance in the engagement letter.
Yes. Bavelaar Advocaten is a member of IR Global, an international network of independent law firms. Through that network, we can help you quickly and expertly in more than 155 jurisdictions.