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Berlin Court Removes Judge From RBB–Schlesinger Appeal Over Perceived Bias

The step seeks to eliminate any doubt about impartiality as the high-value appeal resumes.

Overview

  • The Kammergericht’s 12th Civil Senate excluded a judge for the appearance of bias and decided the matter without her participation.
  • The judge had disclosed she was formerly Schlesinger’s neighbor with personal contact; RBB’s lawyers warned this could erode trust, while Schlesinger’s side called the link harmless.
  • A designated substitute will take the judge’s place, and the appeal will proceed on all contested issues.
  • Both parties appealed a July Landgericht ruling that granted Schlesinger one month of €18,400 in pension payments while upholding RBB damage claims tied to bonuses and an ARD allowance, plus about €24,200 over travel costs.
  • A separate dispute over the shelved Digitales Medienhaus project—nearly €13 million sought by RBB—was severed from the case track.