Overview

• Berlin’s Kammergericht said its 12th Civil Senate found a legitimate appearance of bias and excluded the judge from the appeal.
• According to Schlesinger’s lawyer, the judge had reported she was previously Schlesinger’s neighbor and had personal contact with her.
• The decision was taken without the judge’s participation, and she will be replaced by a designated substitute as the case proceeds.
• Both RBB and Patricia Schlesinger are appealing a mixed July Landgericht ruling in a dispute over Ruhegeld claims and alleged damages.
• RBB’s legal team had warned that the personal contact could undermine confidence in neutrality, while Schlesinger’s side argued it was unproblematic.