Expert blog

The works council in the company - a practical overview The works council is a central organ of co-determination in the company and influences many personnel and organisational decisions in the company. It is important for employers to understand the role, rights and cooperation with the works council in order to act in a legally compliant and efficient manner. This overview shows the most important basics in practice. What is ...

Corporate housekeeping: checklist for clean corporate governance in start-ups Corporate housekeeping sounds formal - but it is a key building block for investor readiness, liability avoidance and exit readiness. Especially in the growth phase, founders understandably focus on the product, market and financing. Company law formalities quickly fade into the background. However, this is precisely where typical risks arise. Clean corporate governance ...

Working despite retirement: How to continue working after retirement Demographic change and the ongoing shortage of skilled labour mean that more and more employees want to continue working after retirement. For companies, the so-called active pension opens up the possibility of keeping experience and expertise in the company for longer. In legal terms, this is not a separate statutory model, but rather ...

The civil law partnership (GbR) is the simplest form of partnership in accordance with Sections 705 et seq. BGB (GERMAN CIVIL CODE). It is formed when at least two people join together to pursue a common purpose. For start-ups, it can be a quick way to get started - but legally and economically ...

Minimum wage increases - mini-job limit has been adjusted: What employers need to consider The mini-job limit was adjusted on 1 January 2026: the previous monthly limit of 556 euros was raised to 603 euros. The increase in the statutory minimum wage therefore also has a direct impact on marginal employment relationships. For employers, this not only results in a need for arithmetical adjustments, but also ...

The UG (haftungsbeschränkt) as a start-up legal form: opportunity or interim solution? The UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is often referred to as the „little sister“ of the GmbH. For many founders, it is the entry into the limited liability company structure - especially with limited start-up capital. But is the UG a strategic model or merely a preliminary stage to the GmbH? Basic structure of the UG: Limited liability with limited capital ...

Labour Market Reinforcement Act - What is really behind „More work pays“ With the Labour Market Reinforcement Act, the legislator is pursuing a clear goal: to create more incentives to work, increase employment and make work more financially attractive. Tax, social security and labour market policy instruments are to be readjusted under the political motto „More work pays“. But what does this mean in concrete terms for employers - and where ...

Foundation vs. choice of legal form: Guide for start-ups - when is a GmbH the right choice? The choice of legal form is a strategic decision for every start-up. After providing an overview of the common legal forms in the last article, we will now take a closer look at the decision factors - with a special focus on the GmbH as the central legal form for growth-oriented start-ups. ...

The 2026 works council election is approaching. The following applies to employers: structured and legally compliant preparation helps to avoid mistakes and reduce the risk of legal challenges. Even small omissions in the process can make the works council election contestable and cause unnecessary conflicts. Employer obligations vs. neutrality requirement The employer has a clear role in the works council election: it must facilitate the election in organisational terms, but must not influence it. This includes providing rooms, material resources and ...

Deciding on the right legal form is one of the first and most important steps when founding a company. It not only influences liability, capital requirements and organisation, but also the possibilities of attracting investors and scaling the company in the long term. A clear overview helps founders to correctly assess the options right from the start. Why the legal form is important for founders ...