Reichsgericht
The Reichsgericht (Court of the German Empire) was the highest court of the Deutsches Reich. It was established on October 1, 1879 when the Reichsjustizgesetze came into effect, building a widely regarded body of jurisprudence.[1]
During the rise of the Nazi regime, the Reichsgericht was enlisted to support the Nazi agenda. During and after the Nazi period, it received criticism for the ease, and even willingness, with which it transitioned. It provided the highest level of formal legal justification for Nazi programs.[2] Immediately after the end of World War II the Reichsgericht was dissolved, and reformed into the German High Court for the Unified Economic Region, the occupation zones of France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Located in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, the Reichsgericht building was designed by Ludwig Hoffmann and Peter Dybwad, and construction was completed in 1895. It is designed in the Italian renaissance style and features two large courtyards, a central cupola and a large portico at the entrance.[3]
After the reunification, the former Reichsgericht building in Leipzig was made the seat of the Bundesverwaltungsgericht.
51°19′59″N 12°22′11″E / 51.33306°N 12.36972°E
References
- ^ "Federal Court of Justice Celebrates 50th Anniversary", German Law Journal, November 2000
- ^ "Federal Court of Justice Celebrates 50th Anniversary", German Law Journal, November 2000
- ^ Reichsgericht, Leipzig