Ever wondered where Bavaria’s most critical legal decisions are made? Here we are in front of the Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen und Bayerischer Verfassungsgerichtshof. It’s not just a building. It’s a cornerstone of Bavarian justice.
The Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen is one of three higher regional courts in Bavaria. The others are in Nuremberg and Bamberg. The Free State of Bavaria is the court’s supporting organization. It is assigned to the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice.
The district of the Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen includes Upper Bavaria and Swabia. It also covers the greater part of Lower Bavaria. An exception are the parts of Lower Bavaria belonging to the Regensburg Regional Court. Within this district, 22,313 lawyers are admitted.
Now, let’s talk history. The Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen didn’t always exist in its current form. Its roots trace back to 1803 with the Hofgericht M\u00fcnchen. It evolved through various names and locations before settling here. It became the Oberlandesgericht in 1879. This happened with the introduction of the Courts Constitution Act.
This courthouse is not just about the past. It’s very much about the present. The Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen handles appeals in civil and criminal cases. There are 55 senates at the OLG M\u00fcnchen. 35 are civil senates and five of them are in Augsburg. Nine are criminal senates. Four of them are also fine senates. There is also a senate for building land matters, and a cartel senate.
The Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen also oversees personnel administration for subordinate courts. This includes appointments and disciplinary measures.
However, the history isn’t without its dark chapters. During the Nazi era, five judges were removed from service due to their Jewish heritage. Some were murdered in concentration camps. Others went into exile. The Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen only began to address its past under President Karl Huber.
Since 1959, the President of the Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen has been chosen as President of the Bavarian Constitutional Court. Currently, Hans-Joachim He\u00dfler holds this position since October 1, 2021.
The Bayerischer Verfassungsgerichtshof or Bavarian Constitutional Court resides here. It is one of Bavaria’s three constitutional bodies. The others are the Landtag and the State Government. It was formally established in 1947. However, its roots go back further to the Bayerischer Staatsgerichtshof of 1850.
The Bayerischer Verfassungsgerichtshof is the supreme court for constitutional law issues. It decides on accusations against members of the government or parliament. It also deals with challenges to elections and disputes between state bodies. Citizens can bring cases against state laws.
Both the Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen and the Bayerischer Verfassungsgerichtshof are housed in the Neues Justizgeb\u00e4ude. However, some divisions are spread across other buildings in Munich and Augsburg.
So, as we stand here, remember that this location embodies Bavarian legal history. From its 19th-century beginnings to its role in modern justice, the Oberlandesgericht M\u00fcnchen und Bayerischer Verfassungsgerichtshof shapes Bavaria’s legal landscape.