North Rhine-Westphalia reforms labor courts to be closer to citizens!

North Rhine-Westphalia reforms labor courts to be closer to citizens!

On June 30, 2025, an important key points paper on labor courts in North Rhine-Westphalia was presented in Düsseldorf. Minister of Justice Dr. Benjamin Limbach made it clear that this initiative aims to ensure the long-term performance of the labor courts and bring them closer to the citizens. In an age in which demographic change and falling numbers of procedures represent major challenges, it is even more important to make structures fit for the future. As reported by [land.nrw](https://www.land.nrw/pressemitigung/nordrhein-westfalen-startet- Beteiligungverfahren-zur-arbeitsgerichtslichkeit-der), the number of proceedings has fallen by around 20% in the last ten years, which has also resulted in a decline in staff.

The excellent work of the labor courts, which act quickly and competently, must not be neglected. Dr. Limbach sees the need to support this positive trend through a participation process with relevant groups. By the end of 2025, it will be determined how the labor courts can carry out their tasks efficiently. The focus is on three central goals: ensuring proximity to citizens, the use of digitalization and the modernization of structures in order to make the court locations sustainable.

Digital challenges and solutions

A look at Bavaria shows that the digital solutions that are also being sought in North Rhine-Westphalia are already being successfully implemented in the Bavarian labor courts. The electronic court file (e-file) has been used at all labor courts since November 15, 2023, with the last rollout in Rosenheim on December 1st. The e-file makes it possible to process procedures paperlessly and to facilitate communication between citizens, lawyers and courts. Bavaria's Labor Minister Ulrike Scharf praised this development as significant progress. According to stmas.bayern.de, the Bavarian labor courts successfully completed around 47,000 proceedings in 2023.

Digitalization is also of great importance in legal training courses. As the Federal Bar Association emphasizes, legal training structures urgently need to be adapted to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The increasing use of digital records and the need to provide critical data skills are important components of continuing to ensure access to justice for the population.

Diversity and demographic changes

In addition, the focus is on diversity and demographic change. Here, too, it becomes clear that legal training needs to be made more diverse in order to reduce the risk of discrimination and give different groups a voice. The decline in the number of fully qualified lawyers could make access to justice more difficult for many citizens, which makes future measures even more important. It is therefore necessary that legal training not only deals with legal content, but also addresses current social challenges.

The next federal government is called upon to address these questions. It should work closely with the countries and associations to develop solutions that meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements. One thing is certain: only if legal training remains sustainable will labor courts be able to fulfill their important role in society in the coming years.