ActiveNews from activelaw — Latest articles from our lawyers in Hanover

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.

Case Study Demonstrates When a Physician’s Testimony is Truly Reliable – Analysis, Risks & Current Jurisprudence Explained

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.

The EZM Group has successfully relaunched following insolvency: thanks to Calfin, as well as the support provided by activelaw and AURICON, locations and jobs have been secured.

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.

The Regional Court of Cologne has prohibited the use of third-party TikTok content for advertising purposes. Image and video rights remain protected.

At the Hannover WeinMeile, activelaw met aspiring legal trainees, engaged in inspiring conversations, and provided valuable insights into both everyday law firm life and the work of our teams.

The comprehensive restructuring of AMEVIDA SE has been successfully concluded. STRÖER X will assume operational stewardship, thereby securing over 2,000 positions.

An increasing number of job applicants are exploiting GDPR access rights to assert claims. Learn how to identify GDPR hopping and respond in full compliance with the law. Submit your case directly to us, and we will get back to you promptly.

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.

The Cologne Regional Court prohibits the spread of rumours of an alleged affair — preliminary injunction dated 28.04.2025 (28 O 109/25)

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.

activelaw supports the ARTUS Group – also on the track: Backing their participation in the 2025 Hannover Marathon

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.

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.

Find out how employers can use the inflation compensation premium tax-free and what legal framework applies according to the ruling of the Düsseldorf Regional Labor Court.

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.

activelaw successfully obtained a preliminary injunction before the Bonn Regional Court against a shareholder who had made false allegations about an entrepreneur during a general meeting of a DAX company. The court rejected the shareholder's objection that his right to information in accordance with Section 131 AktG entitles him to do so.

Reason to celebrate at activelaw: Our law firm has once again received TÜV ISO 9001 certification. But what does that actually mean?

In the run-up to the Real Estate Arena, the “Hannover Real Estate Partners Meet Friends” event took place in the impressive premises of the Hannover Messe. Hartwig von Sass and Dr. Christoph Wolter welcomed guests to the Skylounge on the 18th floor, where Corina Pätsch, President of the headquarters of the Deutsche Bundesbank for Bremen, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, spoke about economic developments and ESG risks.

activelaw has successfully defended two clients who had published critical reporting about a company that was under criminal investigation. The company sought to prohibit the article on the grounds that it identified them. In its decision of May 8, 2024, the Regional Court of Cologne held that a blanket prohibition of an identifying article is inadmissible, as there is a public interest in the events reported. Attorney Dr. Sven Dierkes praised the decision as constitutionally sound and criticized a conflicting ruling by the Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart as unconstitutional. Should the Higher Regional Court of Cologne uphold this decision, the case could ultimately be brought before the Federal Court of Justice.

With a waffle iron and mulled wine maker, the ActiveLaw partners were expecting employees just before Christmas. 🎄

activelaw was represented more than ever at this year's B2Run company run. Stylish in yellow running shirts, our motto was “Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Deadline! “Easy to see even from afar.

Here you can find out what room for manoeuvre you as an employer have when dealing with employees who are not willing to vaccinate.

“I regularly fail at my ideals. Still, it's really important to have them! “Dr. Patrick Brückner has a doctorate in law and has completed his second state law examination as third best in all of Lower Saxony. He has just successfully started his career at activelaw. In an interview, he talks about ambition, ideals and the surprising advice he gives young lawyers. We also found out how his ambitions on the tennis court and his Wimbledon career are doing.

With a donation of 2,000 euros, we have supported the Per-Mertesacker Foundation, which works for socially disadvantaged children.

Ligna's timber experts had barely dismantled their exhibition stands than the real estate experts moved in: 4,500 visitors wandered through the exhibition halls to the Real Estate Arena in search of trends, ideas and contacts.

The digital euro: The Lower Saxony Economic Council and our notary and lawyer Felix Semper invited local entrepreneurs to breakfast and a subsequent presentation.

Notary Dr. Christoph Wolter met the participating investors and company founders of the start-up iotis for certification in the HDI Arena.

It has been worked on for a long time, it has been toned down in parts and now it has also been published in the Federal Law Gazette: The new whistleblower protection law comes into force on July 2, 2023. Good for employees who want to draw attention to corruption or other grievances in the company and have so far feared reprisals or are themselves the subject of an internal investigation. But what does the law mean for you as an employer? In this article, we answer the most important questions about the so-called “Whistleblower Act.”

Millions of customers are now reclaiming their bank charges. But how do they proceed? Those affected should know that now.

Our team has grown to include a new colleague and a new area of law: Andreas Rissling is a specialist lawyer for inheritance law.

In this article, we give you a brief overview of the taxation of influencers and bloggers.

Numerous court rulings show that SOKA-Bau often wrongly demands contributions from companies. We would be happy to review your situation.

activelaw advised Kamke Pension Consulting GmbH on the sale of Kamke Versicherungsmakler GmbH to the Summitas Group.

The Trade Secrets Act (GeschGehG): We advise you on what measures you must take now as an entrepreneur.

Tobias Bathon has worked at activelaw since June 2014. During this time, he obtained two specialist lawyer titles. He is now our 7th partner!

We provide information about the changes and requirements for the digitization of employment contracts in Germany in accordance with the Bureaucracy Relief Act 4. Find out how your company can benefit from this. In an economic landscape that often struggles against bureaucratic hurdles, the latest bureaucracy relief law represents a significant relief. The reforms are aimed at simplifying and digitizing employment contracts. This article gives you a detailed overview of the most important changes and their practical significance for your company.

The law firm activelaw has successfully defended itself before the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court against the prohibition of identifying reporting on behalf of an animal welfare organization. By means of a preliminary injunction issued by the Ellwangen Regional Court (Jagst) dated March 29, 2023, a rabbit breeding business and its owner had prevented the organization from continuing to disseminate an article in which investigative footage from the farm was reported, mentioning the name and location.

There is no obligation to work during short-time work “zero”. For this reason, there are no vacation claims during this period.

At this year's Lower Saxony Durchstarter Prize ceremony, the most promising startups were once again in the spotlight. With categories such as Social Innovation, Newcomer/Scale-up, Science Spin-Off and Life Science, the most innovative and future-oriented companies from Lower Saxony were celebrated. The award ceremony, which honors startups for their exceptional achievements and groundbreaking innovations every year, has once again proven that Lower Saxony is fertile ground for revolutionary ideas. As a sponsor, we are proud to be part of this inspiring event - although not on site in Osnabrück this year, as our partner Jörg Offenhausen was unable to attend due to illness.

Does your shop offer digital content? Then you must adjust your cancellation policy — otherwise fines will be due from May 28, 2022!

Dolce Vita on our 11th floor: We were delighted to welcome a special guest to the “Hannover Real Estate Partners Meet Friends” meeting...

We welcome a new colleague: Family and Tax Law Specialist Anja Brinkmann-Rissling is now joining our team!

End of construction: We have reopened our reception on the 11th floor of the CTH building. In addition to a modern reception lounge in walnut wood, visitors to our office can now expect views of Hanover: The Ägidien and Marktkirche, the “warm brothers” and the old television tower.

What do I have to consider when I accept refugees? Is there government aid? Here you can find answers to the most important legal questions.

As a result of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has decided to impose the strictest sanctions against Russia. These sanctions also apply to air transport.

After the Federal Court of Justice recently made influencers breathe a sigh of relief, it is now rowing back with its latest verdict.

At the beginning of June 2021, lawmakers are expected to partially ban the division of apartment buildings into individual condominiums in some cities.

Are workers required to get vaccinated against COVID-19? Can a vaccination appointment be made during working hours?

These are terrible images that are reaching us from Ukraine these days. They leave us speechless — and raise many questions.

Our team has had several visits from a pizza truck in recent weeks. So it was time to get out into the fresh air, ventilate masks.

Influencers' work usually starts as a hobby. Over time, followers/subscribers are added to the various channels and what once began as a hobby becomes a business with sometimes considerable income. This income is subject to tax.

An employer terminates an employee. The employment relationship will therefore come to an end in accordance with the applicable notice period. Only a few hours after the dismissal, the employer again receives mail from his employee: A sick note, the employee is unfortunately ill. And probably for the exact length of the notice period, with expected recovery on time by that date. Of course, the employee is entitled to continued payment of his salary in the event of an actual illness proven by a certificate of incapacity for work. It just means he doesn't have to work anymore.

From 24.11.2021, the 3G regulation at the workplace comes into force. But how must this be implemented in companies?

Suddenly, almost all private car loans are inadmissible: Numerous customers can now cancel their car contract, some of which is old for years.

Are you a managing director? Then we have important information for you: In future, almost all companies will be required to make certain notifications to the transparency register.

We are pleased to announce a special professional development within our team: Alptekin Kırcı, MdL a.D., as well as lawyer and tax law specialist in our firm, has successfully completed further training as a certified innovation manager in accordance with ISO 56002.

Curtains up for the first summit of the German Legal Tech Hub! At the network event for all players in the legal sector who are passionate about digitization, artificial intelligence and legal tech, 200 visitors listened to lectures about the future of our profession. GLTH, an activelaw partner network, invited not only lawyers, but also guests from the insurance, banking, private sector, legal tech solution providers, public administration, universities and politics.

The law firm activelaw has successfully defended itself against a preliminary restraining order in favour of an influencer.

Have you already revised your terms and conditions? And checked whether there will be tax benefits for your company in the coming year?

In the new year, all sorts of new laws and regulations come into force. We have compiled the most important new features for you.

For employers, portals such as Kununu are both a curse and a blessing. On the one hand, they give us valuable insights into employee satisfaction. On the other hand, negative reviews often lead to reputation damage and the loss of potential applicants.

A further ruling by the Federal Labour Court strengthens the rights of employers to critically question such cases.

The BAG has published the reasons for its decision on the time recording requirement — and provides an overview of the tasks facing employers.

The Aviation Desk was founded two months ago. So far, it has been able to support four transactions involving used aircraft.

Edward Stoye advises clients on commercial and corporate law as well as medical law. We were allowed to ask Mr. Stoye a few questions.

In a recent ruling by the Federal Labour Court (BAG) dated February 16, 2023, a significant signal was sent against equal pay between women and men. The decision underlines that discrimination based on gender cannot be justified by individual salary negotiations alone.

German sales law is being digitized. The focus is on consumer protection in e-commerce.

Tom Cruise performs magic tricks on TikTok, Queen Elizabeth dances in a Christmas speech, and Mark Zuckerberg admits that he wants to control the world with his data — unbelievable, isn't it? And rightly so, because these are so-called DeepFakes. Although this technique often appears amusing and harmless, it poses serious risks, particularly when used to create DeepNudes. This manipulative content can not only have profound emotional effects; it also violates privacy and violates applicable law. In this article, we will inform you about the legal background and give you advice on how you can effectively defend yourself in the event of damage.

A matching evening was recently held at our law firm in collaboration with Invest-Impuls and Banson e.V. The purpose of the event was to bring promising startups together with investors and business angels. There are numerous innovative ideas in Hanover and the region — and young entrepreneurs can become even more successful if they benefit from experience and partnership with business angels.

In this article, you can find out when your workers in isolation/quarantine are entitled to continued payment of their wages — and when they are not.

We have summarized for you what you as an employer need to know about the new electronic certificate of incapacity for work.

The Whistleblowing Directive has stated that companies and authorities must set up a whistleblowing system from December 2021 with a number of >250 employees and from December 2023 with a number of >50 employees.

Companies can present themselves on Facebook. The data protection conference warns of data protection pitfalls.

As of January 1, 2024, significant changes in maintenance law will come into force, which are set out in the updated Düsseldorf table. These changes have far-reaching effects both on the amount of child support and on the deductibles of maintenance obligations and reflect adjustments to current economic conditions.

The big meeting of the real estate industry took place under the motto “Turning time: Good solutions for asset classes and people! “instead of.

“Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Deadline!” : During the big comeback of the Hanoverian B2Run, we sent a small team to the start.

Helma Eigenheimbau AG, based in Lehrte, has filed for insolvency with the Gifhorn District Court. Are you affected by your property? We offer legal advice.

The German economy is facing an enormous challenge: the shortage of skilled workers. This problem affects companies of all industries and sizes. The solution could lie in the immigration of qualified specialists from non-EU countries. To this end, the Act on the Development of Skilled Immigration was promulgated on August 16, 2023, which entails a number of changes. With this article, we would like to show you the most important new features:

Big law firm partner quiz, visit to Heide Park Soltau and a cozy barbecue evening: That was the ActiveLaw summer party 2022