GRP Rainer LLP

If the testator is at acute risk of death, it is possible to draft what is referred to in German as a "Nottestament", or nuncupative will, before three witnesses.

Many German citizens prefer to spend their twilight years in warmer climates. Instead of holidaying in Majorca, the island becomes the centre of their lives. However, this has implications for inheritance.

The number of what are referred to as patchwork or blended families is increasing, with these sometimes giving rise to problems in inheritance cases.

The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's Federal Cartel Office, has imposed fines amounting to just under 11 million euros on two companies from the clothing industry on account of illegal vertical resale price maintenance agreements.

Monitoring an employee using a keylogger is only permissible if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence or a serious breach of duty has been committed.

If someone submits a bogus application without serious intent in response to a job advertisement,they are not entitled to demand compensation if the employer violates Germany's Allgemeine Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG)[General Act on Equal Treatment]

The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's Federal Cartel Office, has imposed fines totalling around 28 million euros against two manufacturers of industrial batteries for entering into illegal arrangements.

If close relatives of a testator are excluded from inheriting in a will or contract of inheritance, they are still entitled to their share of the statutory compulsory portion.

Germany's lower house of parliament, has voted in favour of what it is referred to in Germany as "Ehe für alle" (marriage for all), i.e. marriage equality. Spouses are automatically accounted for under the rules of intestate succession

According to a ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Frankfurt [Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt] from July 21, 2016, dentists offering tooth cleaning or bleaching services at a fixed flat rate are violating competition law (Az.: 6 U 136/15).