Ten articles covering January to October 2026. Publication dates remain transparent: these retrospective articles were prepared on 13 November 2026. Some months identify a decision or effective date; others organise practical editorial topics.
January 2026
EU procurement thresholds 2026: assess total contract value
Revised EU thresholds apply from 1 January 2026. For ordinary supply and service contracts awarded by other public contracting authorities, the threshold is EUR 216,000 excluding VAT; a different threshold applies to central government authorities. The authority, contract type and estimated total value therefore need to be identified before selecting the procedure.
February 2026
Whistleblowing systems 2026: responsibilities and availability
A whistleblowing system must work in everyday practice. Confidentiality, cover during absences, competent handling and traceable follow-up are important review points for 2026. The duty to establish an internal channel depends on workforce size and activities; special rules apply to certain businesses.
March 2026
Nature conservation: compensation for waterlogged forest land
On 26 March 2026, the Federal Administrative Court clarified the assessment of compensation for nature-conservation restrictions affecting forest land waterlogged by beaver dams. The assessment of whether the burden is reasonable concerns the specifically affected land. The decisions do not create automatic compensation for every instance of natural damage.
April 2026
Electronic court filings: delegated public authorities
On 23 April 2026, in case 2 C 11.25, the Federal Administrative Court held that the mandatory electronic filing rule in section 55d VwGO also applies to private entities entrusted with public powers when acting as authorities in a functional sense. Private-law organisation does not itself exclude the duty.
May 2026
Supply contracts: deadlines, replacement purchases and loss
When supply fails, the commercial response should be coordinated with contractual requirements. Replacement purchases, termination and damages are different remedies. Late or defective delivery does not automatically justify every response; the contract, due date and any required additional period for performance need review.
June 2026
Collective redundancy notices: assessing the effect of errors
On 25 June 2026, in case 6 AZR 7/26, the Federal Labour Court held that dismissals can remain effective despite certain errors in a collective redundancy notification. In the case decided, the stated number of employees to be dismissed was slightly too high. The significance of the error for the notification procedure's purpose was central.
July 2026
EU design reform: clear representations of digital designs
The second phase of the EU design reform has applied since 1 July 2026. EUIPO information describes contemporary dynamic and animated representation formats. Businesses still need to ensure that the claimed subject matter is identifiable and that the submitted views are consistent.
August 2026
AI transparency: chatbots and synthetic content
From 2 August 2026, AI Act transparency requirements apply to certain AI uses, including direct interaction with AI and obligations concerning synthetic content. Provider and deployer roles, the particular application and relevant exceptions require separate assessment.
September 2026
Arbitration clauses: agreement and jurisdiction
A clear dispute resolution clause can determine whether an international dispute begins in an orderly way. Arbitration must be validly agreed and capable of proof. Seat, institution, language and disputes covered should fit together; inconsistent clauses in contracts and standard terms create avoidable jurisdiction disputes.
October 2026
Press information rights: limits in intelligence matters
On 29 October 2026, the Federal Administrative Court dismissed claims concerning particular public-relations activities of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service. In cases 10 A 5.25 and 10 A 6.25, specific public protective interests prevailed in the court's assessment. The cases concern particular intelligence matters and are not a general rejection of press access to official information.
Earlier articles and the complete archive in German
Discuss your matter
Tell us the parties involved, your objective and any deadlines. Our main office is in Hanover, Lower Saxony. We advise on German-law matters nationwide and coordinate cross-border work with locally qualified counsel where required.
Send an enquiry — all fields optional · +49 511 3573560
We check conflicts and agree the scope and fees before accepting instructions. An enquiry alone does not create an engagement or preserve a deadline.