All Posts By

Bernhard Schmeilzl

Business in GermanyConveyancing GermanyGerman Citizenship and ImmigrationGerman Corporate LawGerman Labor LawGerman LawGerman ProbateInternational Divorce CasesInternational LitigationInternational Probate

A Bigger Stage for Anglo-German Law

Specialist Anglo-German Legal Practice Meets Full-Service German Law Firm Strategic alliance brings together specialist Anglo-German expertise and the resources of a full-service German law firm We are delighted to announce that Bernhard Schmeilzl, founder of Graf & Partner and a long-standing specialist in English and Anglo-German law, has joined Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte as Of Counsel. This strategic alliance brings together two complementary strengths: the specialist expertise and personal approach of an established boutique practice,…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
November 12, 2026
German Corporate LawGerman LawGerman Tax LawGerman Tort Law

German Legal Expert Witness Services — CPR Part 35 Compliant

Instruction of Experts on German Law for UK Court Proceedings When English litigation involves cross-border elements, proving German law as a question of fact requires an expert who not only possesses authoritative knowledge of the German legal system but also fully appreciates the rigorous procedural demands of the jurisdiction of England and Wales.   The German law firm Schlun & Elseven (www.SE-Legal.de) specializes in providing Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 35 compliant expert reports on…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
November 2, 2026
Civil actionLitigation in Germany

Same Cue, Different Game: Why Litigators Lawyers Can’t Just Switch Tables between Germany and the UK

Meet the German Lawyer many UK Firms rely on to help navigate continental Clients and Witnesses through the High Court You wouldn't expect a World Snooker Champion to seamlessly dominate a fast-paced American pool tournament; despite using the same cue, the tables, pockets, and strategic angles are fundamentally different. The exact same trap awaits elite trial lawyers attempting to cross the English Channel. While a top-tier German litigator (Prozessanwalt) and a UK barrister share the…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 27, 2026
Business in GermanyBusiness Tax & Fiscal ObligationsCriminal LawGerman Tax Law

Navigating German White-Collar Criminal Investigations 

Navigating a tax fraud (Steuerermittlung) or other white-collar criminal investigation (Wirtschaftsstrafverfahren) in Germany is a daunting experience even for a German citizen, let alone for foreign executives. The German legal system operates under an inquisitorial civil law framework that differs significantly from US or UK common law jurisdictions. Whether your company just experienced a dawn raid by German customs (Zoll), by a German tax investigation unit (Steuerfahndung) or the German criminal police, is faced with…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 27, 2026
Estate PlanningGerman ProbateGerman Succession & Inheritance LawInternational Probate

Adopted in the US? Why Your German Inheritance Is on Hold

How to Access the German Estate of your Adoptive Parent: A Practical Guide The German Inheritance Law Situation if Your Adoptive Parent Owned German Assets You were adopted as a child in the USA (or another non-EU country) many years or even decades ago and you quite naturally think of your adoptive parents as your "real parents". Sadly, one of your adoptive parents has now passed and that parent owned property or has held a…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 23, 2026
Civil actionGerman LawGoing to courtProfessional Regulations

Hiring a Lawyer in Germany: Everything UK Clients Need to Know

If you are a UK business or individual facing a legal dispute in Germany, your first instinct might be to brace yourself for mountains of paperwork, extensive "know your client" (KYC) checks, and lengthy engagement letters. Fortunately, the German legal system works quite differently. In Germany, civil law is a highly codified system, meaning that almost every aspect of the client-lawyer relationship is already regulated by federal black-letter law. Because these statutory protections are already…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 20, 2026
Conveyancing GermanyEstate PlanningEuropean ProbateGerman ProbateGerman Real Estate LawGerman Tax LawInternational Probate

Why You Should Sell Inherited German Property Within 12 Months from the Date of Death

German Inheritance Tax on Property If you inherit real estate located in Germany, it is generally subject to German inheritance tax (Erbschaftsteuer). Whether you actually have to pay tax in Germany depends on the total value of the estate (Erbmasse) and your familial relationship to the deceased (Verwandtschaftsverhältnis). However, a potential German tax liability always looms. How the German Tax Authorities Value Property The German tax office (Finanzamt) assesses the property through a specialized department…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 20, 2026
Civil actionGerman Corporate LawGerman Labor LawGerman LawGerman ProbateInternational Litigation

SJE Reports on German Law for English Courts

Experienced German Lawyers provide Expert Reports in Matters of German Law for Litigation in the UK In many legal disputes before the courts in England and Wales – ranging from cross-border commercial litigation, international family law cases, to inheritance and probate matters – the way in which German law governs certain facts of a case may become relevant at one point or another. From the perspective of an English judge, this foreign law aspect of…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 2, 2026
Civil actionGerman Tort LawInternational LitigationLitigation in Germany

When do German Courts have Jurisdiction in Cross-Border Civil Proceedings?

International Jurisdiction of German Civil Courts This article deals with the assessment of the jurisdiction of a German civil court in disputes where the parties have not entered into a contractual agreement on the international venue (Gerichtsstandsvereinbarung). The primary source of law governing international jurisdiction within the EU is the Brussels Ia Regulation (EuGVVO). This Regulation governs the jurisdiction of the courts of a Member State where the defendant is domiciled within the territory of…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
September 16, 2026
Business in GermanyEmployment Law GermanyGerman Citizenship and Immigration

How to Get Your UK Qualifications Recognized in Germany

An Expat Guide for British Professionals and Skilled Workers Germany is facing an aging population and a growing skilled labor shortage. This offers great career opportunities for skilled workers and academics. For British citizens looking to build a career in Germany, the biggest question is often: Will my degree or vocational certificate be recognized? Since Brexit, the rules have changed. The United Kingdom is now legally considered a third country (a non-EU state). However, this…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
September 16, 2026