The civil courts are being called upon more and more frequently in trivial disputes and small claims. This often leads to bitter and costly disputes through all instances in lengthy proceedings with extensive pleadings. However, court proceedings should be reserved for cases that cannot be resolved with a little good will and "common sense".

A contested judgment does not always lead to success.

The arbitration office is the first port of call for "minor" criminal cases. This applies, for example, to cases of trespassing, insults, violation of the confidentiality of correspondence, assault, threats and damage to property. In these cases, the injured party must first go to the arbitration office before they can bring a private action before the criminal court.

The Arbitration Office can also be called upon in everyday disputes concerning civil law claims. For some claims and disputes, however, there is no way around the arbitration office. This applies to certain neighbor disputes and in disputes over claims for personal honor violations that have not been committed in the press or on the radio. In these cases, the arbitration office (or another conciliation office) must be called upon first in order to be able to take legal action at the local court if the attempt at conciliation is unsuccessful.

First to the arbitration office and then to the court.

There are often only losers in arbitration cases, especially when it comes to disputes between people who still have to get along in their daily lives: Neighbors, colleagues, suppliers or customers, etc. The legal peace is disturbed, the relationship remains tense, the conflict continues to smoulder beneath the surface. The dispute resolution offered by the arbitration offices is often the better, more amicable and also much more cost-effective way. The fees for an arbitration hearing are low in comparison to those for court proceedings and only amount to a few euros.

The volunteer, experienced arbitrators work patiently and objectively to settle disputes in a private atmosphere - often at home. As a result, it is often possible to restore social peace and work out a compromise together that both parties to the dispute can live with. The arbitrators live in your district. This is why they often know the background to a dispute and have practical, suitable suggestions for resolving it. In many cases, "crisis meetings" can turn into successful "peace negotiations".

There are no losers in an agreement, only winners.