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Germany : legal resources: Constitution & Court

Grundgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

The literal translation of Grundgesetz is Basic or Fundamental Law: the choice of name reflecting its origin in the post Second World War political landscape of a divided Germany.

However, the re-unification of Germany did not lead to the drafting of a new constitution (Verfassung) as the Grundgesetz (GG) had proved its worth over time.

The Grundgesetz is the supreme norm in the German legal system: see Articles 1 III and 20 III GG.

Official abbreviation is GG

The first division is the Artikel. An Artikel is often made up of paragraphs Absatz or Abs., and paragraphs of  clauses Satz or S.

Some English language commentary and analysis. Remember also to check for articles (in all languages!) in law journals via IFLP, ILP etc

German Constitutional History

Be prepared to see that SOLO searches uncover useful titles held by other parts of the Bodleian

Bundesverfassungsgericht (BVerfG)

The file references in citations reveal the type of application - about which follow the first link below

BvB  Party-Ban Proceedings
BvC Electoral Complaints 
BvE Organstreit Proceedings against Constitutional Organs
BvF Abstract Judicial Review of Statutes 
BvL Specific Judicial Review of Statutes
BvM Review of Public International Law as Part of Federal Law 
BvQ Preliminary Injunctions
BvR Constitutional Complaints 
PBvU Plenary decision 
Vz Verzögerungsbeschwerde Delay appeal