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ActiveNews from activelaw — Latest articles from our lawyers in Hanover
DGB-Chefin Yasmin Fahimi fordert ein gesetzliches Hitze-Ausfallgeld für Beschäftigte, die wegen extremer Temperaturen nicht arbeiten können. Für das HR-Fachmagazin Personalwirtschaft hat unser Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht Dr. Anton Barrein eingeordnet, welche Ansprüche heute schon bestehen und warum eine gesetzliche Lösung erhebliche Folgefragen aufwirft.
activelaw advised BISON Polymers GmbH on a state-guaranteed EUR 27 million syndicated financing provided by a banking consortium comprising Sparkasse Siegen as agent and security trustee, NRW.BANK and further regional savings banks. activelaw prepared the application for the guarantee of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and drafted the entire credit documentation.
The commercial law firm activelaw is significantly expanding its expertise at the intersection of administration and law: With the arrival of Dirk-Ulrich Mende, the firm gains a distinguished administrative lawyer and former Lord Mayor to strengthen its "Public Sector" team.
A medical certificate continues to carry substantial evidentiary weight – yet courts now examine such certificates more closely than in the past. Under what circumstances can a certificate of incapacity for work be rebutted? What risks arise for employers and employees? An overview with practical guidance and reference to the current article in DER SPIEGEL.
Certificates of incapacity for work are considered a central piece of evidence in labour law. A recent ruling by the Düsseldorf Regional Labour Court, however, demonstrates that if the evidential value of such a certificate is undermined, the certificate alone is no longer sufficient—even if the treating physician testifies in court. This is particularly relevant in the context of dismissals, where the requirements for full proof of incapacity for work are becoming increasingly precise. This article outlines what courts focus on, highlights common weaknesses, and explains the practical significance of a physician’s testimony.
As the year draws to a close, it is customary for every successful law firm to pause, reflect, and celebrate shared achievements. At activelaw, your law firm in Hanover, we took this opportunity to conclude 2025 in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. On December 17, we held our annual Christmas celebration at the Winter Village at Lister Tower in Hanover ❄️🎄—a setting that provided the perfect winter backdrop for a relaxed and convivial evening. For us as lawyers and as a team, it was an ideal occasion to come together away from the demands of our daily legal work.
By the end of 2025, the Crypto Asset Tax Transparency Act is expected to enter into force. It will require crypto service providers to report user and transaction data to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). North Rhine Westphalia is already conducting investigations in thousands of cases.
As part of its strategic realignment, AMEVIDA SE has initiated debtor-in-possession proceedings aimed at swiftly repositioning its business model while maintaining full operational capacity. activelaw is leading the restructuring process and, together with its partners, is implementing a robust and forward-looking turnaround concept. This marks a clear commitment to stability and the preservation of approximately 2,400 jobs in Gelsenkirchen.
An inspiring evening on the 11th floor: Altin Lala, once captain of Hannover 96 and now a successful entrepreneur, was a guest at our real estate meeting Hannover Real Estate Partner Meet Friends — and told a story that goes far beyond soccer and entrepreneurship.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we shed light on the perspectives of women in the legal profession. Katrin A. Herre, a family law attorney at activelaw, shares insights into the challenges female lawyers face and reflects on her positive experiences at the firm. A conversation about equality, work-life balance, and the future of women in law.
Whether you operate a consumer-facing online shop, develop specialized software for ATMs, or manufacture tablet hardware—new legal accessibility requirements will take effect starting in June 2025. Many companies will need to adapt their online stores, and the new rules will also impact manufacturers of technological products with digital user interfaces.
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The latest ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on negative interest rates applied to savings and overnight deposit accounts could have far-reaching implications. Not only private consumers, but also companies should now consider whether they may be entitled to reclaim custody fees they have paid.
Hannover / Berlin, 10 February 2025 – Continuing on its path of dynamic growth, activelaw is proud to announce the opening of a new branch office in Germany’s capital city. This strategic expansion strengthens the firm’s nationwide presence and further cements its reputation as a trusted legal partner for medium-sized enterprises across the country. Following the recent launch of a new office in Düsseldorf, the Berlin location marks yet another milestone in activelaw’s national expansion strategy.
Effective January 1, 2025, the updated Düsseldorf Table—Germany’s central guideline for calculating child maintenance obligations—will come into force. Revised annually to reflect economic trends and rising living costs, the table ensures a balanced approach that takes into account the financial realities of both families and those obliged to pay maintenance.
Germany's political landscape is undergoing a shift. With the dissolution of the traffic light coalition, numerous questions remain unanswered—not only politically, but especially for entrepreneurs. Several legislative initiatives that were intended to shape the economy and society significantly did not cross the finish line. Navigating this complex environment is a challenge. To provide clarity, we have compiled the most relevant legislative changes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2025.
Hannover is looking to the future: With his vision for the VW Tower, investor Oliver Blume aims to create affordable housing and breathe new life into an iconic landmark. In dialogue with the city’s real estate sector, he showcased how innovative concepts and urban collaboration can foster forward-looking solutions.
With our expansion to Düsseldorf, Thorsten Prigge has joined the activelaw family. His expertise in restructuring and corporate recovery brings precisely the strategic mindset companies need during challenging times. In this interview, he offers insights into his daily work, shares what drives him, and explains how his know-how benefits both activelaw and our clients.
A Legal Sector in Transition: The second German Legal Tech Summit once again highlighted how innovation and connectivity are shaping the future of the legal profession. With inspiring keynotes, groundbreaking technologies, and over 400 participants, the event set a new benchmark for digitalisation and collaboration in the legal industry.
Starting 1 November 2024, activelaw is opening a new office in Düsseldorf—marking a significant step in our journey to become even more accessible and solution-oriented for our clients in western Germany. This expansion isn’t just about geography—it’s about strengthening our services where they are most needed.
The Cologne District Court Confirms Clear Separation of Operator and Shareholder Liability: A journalist represented by us was facing personal liability for sending formal responses to copyright claims on YouTube—despite not having created the content himself. This perspective could have had far-reaching consequences for anyone operating in the digital space. With its ruling, the Cologne District Court strengthens the protection of media professionals and demonstrates that the mere execution of administrative tasks, such as sending counter-notifications, does not lead to personal liability. This is a crucial step in making work in the digital environment safer.
A special culinary experience awaited Hannover's real estate partners and friends this time: 2-star chef Tony Hohlfeld from the multi-award winning Jante Hannover not only conjured up fantastic dishes, but also shared stories and insights into the world of award-winning cuisine.
If a management agency simply continues after an immediate termination, it is not only brazen but also illegal. An influencer represented by activelaw had to experience exactly that: After ending their collaboration, the agency continued to use her image and acted as if everything was the same. Thanks to Dr. Sven Dierkes' quick response and legal commitment, a preliminary injunction was successfully obtained before the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg. The Higher Regional Court of Hamburg not only confirmed the violation of their personal rights, but also clarified that Section 627 BGB — contrary to the agency's contract clause — was effectively applied. A clear victory and an important signal for all media professionals!
In today's modern working world, what motivates employees to stay with the same employer for 30 years? One thing in advance: It is not the fruit basket. In conversation with Gülsen Yilmaztürk, who has worked at activelaw for three decades, we shed light on her career path, significant developments in the law firm and the “discovery” of the Internet for the business world.
Tobias Bathon has been part of activelaw for 10 years. He began his career as a lawyer and is now a partner in the law firm. In an interview, Tobias talks about the significant developments of the last decade and the personal milestones he has achieved.
activelaw advises List + Lohr on the pioneering partnership with Prom12 and the founding of the ploon.it group. The group of managed service providers brings together regional and supra-regional IT service providers to promote their growth.
On July 5, 2024, the Federal Government adopted a comprehensive package of measures that will significantly change the German working world. The package, which will be fully implemented during the year, includes tax and social security free supplements for overtime, flexible working time arrangements and easier sick leave. It also offers new opportunities for retirement pensioners to continue working for a limited period of time and strengthens company pension plans. These measures are aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the German labor market and combating the shortage of skilled workers.
Digital and traditional media complement each other ideally, as the collaboration between activelaw and Papair shows. A LinkedIn comment initiated a partnership that led to strategic investments and large media exposure, and underlines the potential of this media combination for startup success.
When building contractors, investors, notaries and realtors meet in Hanover, it can only mean that the “Hannover Real Estate Partners Meet Friends” have invited to the event again. At the third event of the industry meeting, our notaries Dr. Christoph Wolter and Richard Prechtel welcomed almost 50 guests to the premises of PSD Bank.
The Growth Opportunities Act provides significant tax breaks and administrative simplifications for companies, in particular for SMEs and the construction and real estate sector. Important changes include an increase in special depreciation to 40%, a degressive depreciation for residential buildings and an increased research allowance of 35%. These measures promote investments, innovations and the rapid refinancing of construction projects.