New leadership change in the Rhineland-Palatinate labor jurisdiction

New leadership change in the Rhineland-Palatinate labor jurisdiction

This day there was a ceremonial handover of important official positions in the Rhineland-Palatinate Justiwesen. Justice Minister Herbert Mertin presented the new managers of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labor Court and the Mainz Labor Court. Matthias Hambach was officially appointed President of the State Labor Court, while Stephan Eckert takes over the management of the Mainz Labor Court. The event attracted numerous guests from politics, attorney and associations who took part in this important occasion.

The minister paid tribute to Martin Wildschütz's many years of activity, who acted as President of the State Labor Court for over eleven years and has now retired. With his empathetic nature and commitment, he had significantly shaped the labor jurisdiction in Rhineland-Palatinate. Under his leadership, important projects such as the introduction of electronic legal transactions and electronic acts were implemented. Wildschütz designed labor jurisdiction not only through its professional competence, but also by human qualities.

The new incumbent

Matthias Hambach, who previously worked as Vice President of the State Labor Court, brings extensive experience into his new role. Mertin described him as a very friendly and motivating personality that the state labor court will continue in the best hands. Hambach, who entered the service of the Rhineland-Palatinate judiciary in December 1998, acquired an excellent call through various activities in labor jurisdiction. His career led through several labor courts up to the State Labor Court, where he was appointed presiding judge in 2012.

Stephan Eckert, who has headed the Mainz Labor Court since January 2024, was also congratulated by Mertin. Eckert looks back on eight months of successful office and had previously proven itself as a constant representative of the director of the Koblenz labor court. His experiences in this position prepared him well for the challenges in Mainz.

The outgoing director Ulrike von Senden also retired after over 15 years. Minister Mertin also recognized their commitment and their dynamic way of always keeping an eye on the concerns of the employees. The Mainz Labor Court had managed von Senden since 2008 and actively shaped the change in working life, in particular digitization.

In this context, the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labor Court is the top instance in the country's labor law procedures. It ensures that disputes are solved fairly and transparently. The change in the leadership leads to a time when the world of work is constantly changing and the challenge of digitization becomes increasingly challenging. With competent successors such as Matthias Hambach and Stephan Eckert, the course for the future of the Rhineland-Palatinate labor jurisdiction is well set.

The importance of this inauguration goes beyond a mere change of leadership. It illustrates continuity and stability in a time when legal challenges and social changes are steadily increasing. The Mainz Labor Court and the Rhineland-Palatinate State Labor Court are crucial for the protection of the rights of employees and employers in the region.

The Mainz Labor Court is responsible for the cities of Mainz and Worms as well as for the districts of Alzey-Worms and Mainz-Bingen, while the State Labor Court is the second instance in labor court proceedings. These institutions are of central importance for a fair and balanced case law in labor law issues and thus make a significant contribution to legal certainty in the country.