Key facts: U.S. immigration officials monitor public social media data and travelers should be prepared to share details about their personal social media accounts. All travelers to the USA may be subject to a search of their electronic devices at the US border. Travelers to the USA should pay attention to what they post, like […]

The recent changes in US immigration rules are causing uncertainty worldwide. In particular, since the new US government took office, processes regarding entry into the USA have become stricter. The news are increasingly reporting on Germans and other foreigners who have been turned away at the US border or even detained pending deportation. This makes […]

In a ruling dated May 13, 2025, the BGH classified the supply infrastructure in the specific case of a residential complex in Zwickau as a distribution network and thus rejected the appeal of an infrastructure operator (Ref. EnVR 83/20). In doing so, it took into account the landmark ruling of the ECJ (Ref. C-293/23). On […]

Beverage cups, foil and plastic cigarette filters litter streets, parks and sidewalks. The cleaning costs are borne by the local authorities. The Disposable Plastics Fund Act is intended to relieve them financially. The idea: manufacturers of certain single-use plastic products pay a levy. This flows into a fund that is paid out to the local […]

In the case of a pre-leasing, the tenancy only begins at a later date, usually the handover date. In such cases, the contracting parties usually assume that the fixed-term tenancy agreement cannot be terminated even before the start of the contract. Now, surprisingly, the BGH has ruled that ordinary termination is possible under certain circumstances […]

Teachers and lecturers are often hired on a self-employed basis. This practice makes the German pension insurance fund sit up and take notice. It is increasingly checking the social security status of freelancers and demanding payment of social security contributions from the clients, often music and adult education centers. The social courts have repeatedly ruled […]

According to the coalition agreement, the future government wants to “resolutely combat” money laundering and financial crime. The coalition partners have announced that legal transactions by legal entities in excess of EUR 10,000 may no longer be carried out by the obligated parties if the beneficial owners cannot be identified. To date, prohibitions on contracting […]

In the coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed: “We will also abolish the National Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).” At first glance, a clear and absolute statement. On closer inspection, however, one comes to the conclusion that an “abolition” is obviously not intended in such a sweeping manner. Rather, a differentiated and staggered […]

Climate protection has achieved a level of importance in the coalition agreement that was not expected. It had not played a significant role in the election campaign. Climate protection has also come under pressure globally. The USA has once again withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement. The EU wants to simplify sustainability reporting with the […]

The coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD also has an impact on the financial sector. Here is an overview. Increasing the energy supply The coalition partners want to increase the energy supply and thus stabilize and reduce electricity costs. Within this framework, all the potential of renewable energies should be utilized. In addition to […]