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Baden‑Württemberg High Court Hears First Test Cases on COVID Aid Repayments

The appeals are meant to guide how the state handles widespread refund demands after post‑payment reviews.

Overview

  • Four model cases were argued in Mannheim today, with two more scheduled for Tuesday, and rulings are expected only after those additional hearings.
  • The proceedings are in the second instance after earlier judgments, including a win for hairdresser Holger Schier in Stuttgart, were appealed.
  • L‑Bank says it paid about €2.3 billion to roughly 245,000 recipients and later sought repayments in around 117,000 cases, with nearly 1,600 lawsuits filed by end‑June and about 1,400 still pending.
  • Schier received €15,000 in aid and is asked to repay about €10,400; his case opened the hearing series and reflects disputes over documented pandemic losses.
  • L‑Bank argues the grants were based on forecasts that had to be checked later, while entrepreneurs contend the funds were non‑repayable subsidies used to cover verified downturns.