Established in 1468 the Kammergericht stands before you. This is Berlin’s highest state court. Its name Kammergericht meaning Chamber Court is unique in Germany. It originally held court in the chambers of Brandenburg’s prince-electors. A privilegium de non-appellando prevented appeals to higher imperial authorities. The Kammergericht thus became the supreme court.
From 1698 the court resided in Berlin’s Cölln quarter. In 1735 it moved to the Baroque Collegienhaus in Friedrichstadt. This building now houses part of the Jewish Museum Berlin. The Collegienhaus brought together various courts preparing for later legal system unification. The Kammergericht gained a reputation for independence. Notable cases included that of Miller Arnold and Johann Heinrich Schulz. After the 1846 Greater Poland Uprising Polish insurgents were tried here. King Frederick William IV later granted them amnesty.
After German unification in 1877 the Kammergericht retained its name. Other state supreme courts adopted the uniform title Oberlandesgericht. In 1913 the Kammergericht moved to its present Neo-Baroque building. This impressive building sits in Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park. The park replaced a botanical garden relocated in 1898.
During World War II the Kammergericht building hosted a show trial. The People’s Court under Judge Roland Freisler used its rooms. This trial targeted surviving conspirators of the 20 July plot. Nine months later Allied forces used the building. On 18 October 1945 the International Military Tribunal held its opening meeting here. The building served as the council’s official seat. Soviet representatives left in protest in March 1948 ending these meetings. The Four Power Agreement on Berlin was signed here in 1971.
The Kammergericht relocated to Charlottenburg during the Cold War. It returned to its Kleistpark location in 1997. Today extensively restored it houses the Berlin Constitutional Court and the state Attorney General. The Kammergericht’s history is rich in fascinating stories and its legacy continues to shape Berlin’s legal landscape.