Staatsexamen Jura

Overview

Qualifying as a full lawyer (Volljurist) in Germany takes two state-run stages, set out in the German Judges Act (DRiG): a university law degree that ends with the first exam, then a practical traineeship that ends with the second state exam (Zweites Staatsexamen). Passing both gives the qualification for judicial office. Federal law sets the framework, and each state (Land) fills in the details, so dates, subjects and procedures differ between states. Check your own state's examination office.

Levels or stages

First exam (Erste Prüfung)

The law degree takes four and a half years under the federal framework, though you can finish sooner if you have the required coursework. At least two years must be spent at a university in Germany. You must also show a successful foreign-language law course or a language course aimed at law, unless state law allows another proof, and complete practical study periods of at least three months in total.

The first exam has two parts: a university exam in your elective area (Schwerpunktbereichsprüfung), with at least one written piece, and a state exam in the compulsory subjects (staatliche Pflichtfachprüfung), with written and oral parts. The compulsory subjects cover the core of civil law, criminal law, public law and procedural law, including European law links and legal methods. The material is meant to be completable within five years of study. You can repeat the state compulsory exam once.

Traineeship (Vorbereitungsdienst) and second state exam

The traineeship lasts two years, or two and a half years if done part-time. Compulsory placements are at a civil court, at a public prosecutor's office or criminal court, at an administrative authority and with a lawyer, plus one or more elective placements. Each compulsory placement lasts at least three months, except the lawyer placement, which lasts nine months. The written parts of the second state exam take place between the 18th and 21st month of training.

Marking and results

Both exams use the same 0 to 18 point scale for individual results.

Overall grades are worked out from the point average, for example 4.00 to 6.49 is ausreichend and 9.00 to 11.49 is vollbefriedigend. The examining body may deviate slightly from the calculated overall mark where the overall impression fits better, as long as the change does not decide pass or fail.

FAQs