Planet Depos, LLC (JD Supra Germany)

Recently we highlighted Prague as an option to depose your German witnesses, as the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt has momentarily halted all depositions. 

The U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt has put a hold on depositions for the indeterminate future. This should not deter attorneys who need to depose a German witness or witness residing in Germany, however.

Although Germany is a party to The Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters, the German Ministry of Justice has placed certain restrictions regarding how voluntary depositions of German citizens may be conducted.

As discussed in some of our previous blogs, taking depositions in Germany can be tricky. With a little preparation, and breaking everything down step-by-step, you’ll find that depositions in Germany aren’t as bad as initially thought.

As covered by previous blogs, depositions in Germany may be taken only at the U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt, upon approval from the German Ministry of Justice. Once the depositions have been approved and successfully scheduled, there are some additional points to remember. Outlined below are important details to ensure prompt entry to the U.S. Consulate General for your depositions.

Fall is very nearly upon us, and it is even starting to feel a little bit like it here in our nation’s capital. Advertising is underway for local Oktoberfest celebrations, promising good German beer, music, (and, of course, dirndls and lederhosen!) and revelry without having to fly across the Atlantic. This Bavarian tradition, the largest beer festival in the world, has been annually celebrated...

When I was in Germany many years ago, I remember being struck by the efficiency and promptness that was prevalent throughout the country. This was not the case anywhere else we went in Europe. Between strikes and that certain je ne sais quoi, trains and buses outside Deutschland had their own timetables that were not made available to the public. The Germans were by far the leaders in reliability!

Although Germany is a party to The Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters, the German Ministry of Justice has placed certain restrictions regarding how voluntary depositions of German citizens may be conducted.