Retirement and a new beginning: Brandenburg District Court in transition!
On November 5, 2025, the farewell to Adelheid van Lessen and the inauguration of Katrin Ryl took place in the Brandenburg an der Havel district court.

Retirement and a new beginning: Brandenburg District Court in transition!
On November 5, 2025, an important event took place in the large office hall of the Brandenburg an der Havel district court: the farewell to Adelheid van Lessen and the ceremonial inauguration of Katrin Ryl. The event was well attended, which underlined the importance of the occasion. Among the guests were high-profile representatives, including the State Minister of Justice Dr. Benjamin Grimm and Mayor Steffen Scheller, both of whom paid respect to the outgoing director and her successor. City of Brandenburg reports that in his speech, Scheller honored van Lessen's 20-year leadership of the district court and praised her tireless efforts.
The event not only offered a look back at van Lessen's successes, but also an outlook on the challenges ahead. Dr. Holger Matthiessen, President of the Potsdam Regional Court, emphasized the proximity and humanity of the Brandenburg District Court. Adelheid van Lessen herself expressed her gratitude for over 40 years of dedicated work in the judicial service. Afterwards, Katrin Ryl officially took over the official duties. Ryl, who has been van Lessen's permanent representative since 2010, emphasized in her inaugural speech the desire to continue cooperation within the “judicial family” and to shape the work of the district court with new vigor.
A change on October 1st
On September 23, 2025, State Secretary for Justice Ernst Bürger visited the Brandenburg an der Havel District Court to officially say goodbye to Adelheid van Lessen's retirement, which begins on October 1, 2025. This event makes it clear that the change at the top of the district court is not only an internal matter, but also has significant effects on the ordinary judiciary in the region. The district court is not only responsible for the independent city of Brandenburg an der Havel, but also for large parts of the Potsdam-Mittelmark district. It is considered a pioneer in digital file management, particularly in civil, care and family matters, which underlines the importance of this court. mdjd Brandenburg addresses these aspects comprehensively and highlights how important digital transformation is for the future of the judiciary.
What does it actually look like elsewhere? A look at Dubai shows that international relocation and career opportunities are a hot topic. The city is a popular destination for many expats looking for better job opportunities and higher salaries. The stagnating economies of many developed countries have led to many people migrating to the dynamic metropolis. The average salary for jobs in Dubai ranges between AED 90,000 (USD 24,500) and AED 240,000 (USD 65,500) annually, positioning the region as an attractive job market. Numerous industries, from IT to hospitality, have a lot to offer here. Edarabia shows that there is a wide range of jobs in Dubai for all experience levels.
In summary, it can be said that the inauguration of Katrin Ryl and the farewell to Adelheid van Lessen mean a huge change for the Brandenburg an der Havel district court. Given the changing legal landscape, it will be exciting to see how Ryl implements her vision and continues on the chosen course. The challenges are diverse, but the course is set for a committed and citizen-oriented judiciary.