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RBB–Schlesinger Appeal Hits Recusal Review After Judge Reveals Past Ties

The Kammergericht must decide on a recusal request after the presiding judge disclosed prior personal contact with Patricia Schlesinger.

Overview

  • The presiding judge informed both parties that she had previously been Schlesinger’s neighbor and had personal contact with her, then invited written statements.
  • According to media reports, RBB’s lawyers seek the judge’s exclusion for the appearance of bias, while the broadcaster and the court’s press office declined public comment.
  • Schlesinger’s lawyer confirmed the judge’s disclosure and said there is no indication of partiality, adding that all participants acted appropriately.
  • The Kammergericht will rule on the recusal question without the judge’s participation, temporarily affecting how the appeal proceeds.
  • A July Landgericht ruling produced split results, awarding Schlesinger one month of Ruhegeld (€18,400) and upholding certain RBB damage claims (about €24,200 for travel costs), with a separate case over the Digitales Medienhaus claim of nearly €13 million still pending.