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For over 50 years, Karlsruhe has symbolically stood for the modern, democratic constitutional state of Germany as the "seat of justice." The highest German legal institutions are located here. The Federal Constitutional Court, the Federal Court of Justice, and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office are all based in Karlsruhe. Decisions known as "Karlsruhe rulings" are announced here.
The Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) is the highest German court. The Federal Constitutional Court is considered the guardian of the constitution because it reviews the actions of all other state organs, but it is also part of the judicial power in the field of constitutional and international law.
Since its foundation in 1951, the Federal Constitutional Court has been based in Karlsruhe. Until 1969, it was housed in the Prinz-Max-Palais, after which it moved to the building designed by Paul Baumgarten on Schlossplatz. Due to a lack of space, it was expanded by Berlin architect Michael Schrölkamp in 2007, retaining its open design to continue to symbolize democratic transparency. Particularly striking is the steel framework of the façade, which is reminiscent of a kind of shelf. The rational geometric shape of the building thus stands in stark contrast to its natural surroundings, the Botanical Garden. The court consists of two senates, each with eight members. Half are elected by the Bundestag, the other half by the Bundesrat, each with a two-thirds majority. The term of office is twelve years. Re-election is not possible.
Since 2007, the research staff have been housed in the annex with a green façade designed by Berlin architect Michael Schrölkamp. From 2011 to 2014, the Baumgarten building underwent a complete renovation.
Source: DZT Knowledge Graph
