Overview
- The reform paper from Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach proposes reducing labor courts from 30 to 15 and eliminating the Cologne Landesarbeitsgericht.
- Hearings would continue at 37 locations through external chambers, local court days with traveling judges, and use of district court facilities.
- Court leaders back consolidation for greater resilience, noting most cases currently clear two instances within a year, said Cologne court president Jürgen vom Stein.
- Thirteen venues would cease hosting hearings, including Iserlohn, Herford, Beckum, Ahaus, Herne, Brilon, Kleve, Moers, Oberhausen, Krefeld, Velbert, Solingen and Siegburg.
- SPD and DGB denounce longer travel and burdens on lay judges, while the CDU supports larger structures; the government plans consultations before a Q1 final proposal and a Landtag vote.