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Naumburg: Court stops gender language in judgments – clarity counts!
OLG Naumburg overturns the judgment of the Dessau-Roßlau district court; Gender neutrality in judgments classified as inappropriate.
Naumburg: Court stops gender language in judgments – clarity counts!
The discussion about the use of gender-neutral language in court rulings has taken a new turn in Germany. In a recent judgment dated June 12, 2025, the Naumburg Higher Regional Court decided that judgments may not contain gender bias unless the persons concerned expressly request this. This reports Picture.
The court's central concern was to maintain the clarity and comprehensibility of judgments. The background to the decision was a case in which a speeder was sentenced to a fine of 480 euros and his driving license was revoked for a month. The district judge used gender-neutral terms such as “affected person” in his ruling, which the Higher Regional Court deemed inappropriate. Authorities spokesman Klaus Tewes noted that it was disrespectful to reduce those involved in the proceedings to a gender neutral and that judgments must be clear and understandable, as required by the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Why gender doesn't fit in every case
The OLG largely followed the arguments of the Naumburg Public Prosecutor's Office, which had filed a legal complaint and strongly criticized the use of gender-neutral formulations without any particular reason. Loud Law.cc Language in judgments should not only be inclusive but also precise. The court found that neutral terms appear impersonal and do not respect the identity of those involved.
This decision is viewed differently in the legal world. While some lawyers advocate for more freedom in linguistic design, others are of the opinion that clear and generally understandable language, as recommended by the Higher Regional Court, is of central importance. And not without reason, because simple, clear words in legal texts can help avoid misunderstandings.
The decision of the Naumburg Higher Regional Court is not only important for the current case, but also has a signaling effect for future legal practice in Germany. Outdated formulations in judgments should be a thing of the past. The German Language Association, represented by Dorota Wilke, supports this approach and supports the decision to restrict the use of gender-neutral terms in judgments.
A call for clarity
Overall, it is clear that the use of gender-appropriate language in the legal system is an area of tension in which clarity and respect must be balanced. With its decision, the Higher Regional Court has opened the way for the conscious and sensible use of language in court and clearly rejects hasty experiments in legal communication.
The debate remains exciting, and further legal assessments and possibly adjustments to court practice are expected to follow in the coming months. It remains to be seen how the courts and lawyers will respond to this call for clarity and whether a uniform approach to gender-neutral terms will be established in case law.