Ulrike Manthey becomes the new director of the Zehdenick District Court!

Ulrike Manthey becomes the new director of the Zehdenick District Court!

July 14, 2025 was an important day for the justice system in Brandenburg. In Zehdenick, Justice Minister Benjamin Grimm (SPD) presented the certificate of appointment to Ulrike Manthey as the new director of the district court. The special thing about it: The appointment took place on site to underline the importance of small district courts in Brandenburg. Grimm emphasized that a merger with the Oranienburg district court is currently not an issue and that rural structures need to be strengthened. Manthey succeeds Kathrin Reiter and brings with her valuable experience from her previous 15 years as a judge, including in Zehdenick since 2011.

Manthey, who was born in Hennigsdorf and went to school in Velten, studied law at the University of Potsdam. During her career to date, she has been seconded twice to the Ministry of Justice and to the Neuruppin Regional Court. Her commitment and approach make her the ideal choice to manage the Zehdenick District Court, which includes three judges and a total of 30 employees. There is also a trainee among them, which ensures a well-functioning offspring.

Current developments in the Zehdenick District Court

In 2024, the Zehdenick District Court expects to process over 200 criminal cases. Recent years have shown that the court is busy, with 203 criminal cases, 224 civil cases and 219 family cases handled last year. The average hearing time is three months for criminal matters, four to six weeks for family matters and nine and a half months for civil matters. In order to optimize processes, video hearings were recently introduced, offering a modern and efficient way to interview witnesses and conduct negotiations.

Another exciting point is the implementation of the electronic file (e-file), which has been in use in the Zehdenick District Court since November 2023 for civil and family matters and since February 2024 for criminal matters. [eGovernment] reports that this is part of a broader plan in Brandenburg to modernize the justice system and promote the electronic exchange of files. The piloting of the e-file in criminal cases began on February 24, 2025, and the positive experience is expected to be expanded to all police departments, public prosecutor's offices and criminal courts in the coming years.

The future of justice in Brandenburg

The introduction of the e-file is described as a fundamental step for the justice system in Brandenburg. Interior Minister Katrin Lange sees this as a paradigm shift for law enforcement authorities. The law to promote electronic legal transactions was passed in 2013 and has revolutionized access to courts and public prosecutor's offices for everyone involved. From January 1, 2022, lawyers, notaries and authorities are already obliged to submit their written submissions to the courts electronically. The Brandenburg judiciary is planning the comprehensive introduction of electronic case files for 2026.

Some of the technical framework conditions have already been defined, and the first meeting rooms will also be equipped with video negotiation technology. The goal is clear: we want to increase the efficiency of the judiciary and make case law more contemporary for citizens.

Overall, it is clear that the judiciary in Brandenburg, and especially the Zehdenick District Court, is ready to break new ground and face the challenges of modern times. The appointment of Ulrike Manthey marks an important step towards an innovative future.