German Attorneys
for the
Automotive Industry

The German automotive industry is one of the largest employers, boasting a labour force of more than 900,000 people. Outside of the automotive chain itself, having a good affiliation with sectors like steel and derivatives, machinery and equipment, electronic materials and more; are also crucial for any investment in the automotive industries.

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte consists of a team of lawyers with experience and knowledge across a wide field of legal areas in Germany. From our offices in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen and conference rooms across Germany, your business can benefit from full legal service from one source. Our practise group for the German automotive industry is composed of professionals with in-depth knowledge of the regulations and the needs and opportunities of the industry. Our team is familiar with the concepts and terminology of the industry and highly qualified to serve customers at all points of the vehicle production chain, from the manufacture of parts to automakers, carriers, dealers and sales. Contact us today to start a productive legal partnership.

To ensure the long-term success of one’s company and comply with the legal regulations that have come into force, it is crucial to implement efficient whistleblowing systems. Without such systems, employees who want to uncover wrongdoing in the company can quickly feel moved to go public. This can lead to significant reputational damage and loss of revenue.

Since the Whistleblower Protection Act came into force on 2 July 2023 in Germany, it has been incumbent on all German companies with more than 249 employees to set up an internal whistleblower system. Companies not complying with this obligation will face significant legal consequences (including hefty fines) from December 2023.

The German law firm Schlun & Elseven offers a competent and committed legal service to provide companies with the necessary support in implementing this legal requirement. Our lawyers will explain which preventive measures you can take to prevent whistleblowing while effectively complying with all legal obligations. By implementing an efficient whistleblowing system following the applicable ISO standards, we ensure that whistleblowers are protected by the law while your company benefits from the information provided.

The automotive industry is ever-changing as new technological developments and new regulations are set to significantly impact how businesses operate. With moves toward electric vehicles and other hybrid models planned, it is more important than ever for your business to stay ahead of the competition and maintain its legal protections. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, we advise experienced companies within the area and new companies looking to establish themselves. Our corporate lawyers advise on:

• Business structures and organisation,
• Competition law and how to avoid antitrust practices,
• Corporate restructuring.
• Compliance measures,
• Environmental law and regulations,
• Strategic partnerships for your company,
• The rights and responsibilities of managing directors.

The above listed are just some areas where our corporate lawyers advise; contact us directly for further advice.

The automotive industry consists of many different partners, between equipment manufacturers, supply chains and distributors. Not surprisingly, the need for lawyers with a keen understanding of contracts and commercial agreements is crucial for success. Our commercial lawyers can be relied upon for all matters concerning commercial contracts, such as supply contracts, distribution agreements, and software and technology contracts.

Where disputes arise regarding the supply chain or distribution, our lawyers are seasoned negotiators who will aim to ensure that your concerns are prioritised. Should cases reach the courts, you can rely on us to provide comprehensive representation.

To prevent allegations of breaches of contract or disputes over licences, a contract lawyer is necessary. Our contract lawyers thoroughly analyse contracts when drafting and reviewing them on behalf of our clients. Furthermore, we will be by your side if your company requires legal representation to enforce contractual obligations.

With so many people employed in the automotive industry, it is essential for companies involved to have practices and procedures in place to avoid legal disputes from arising. Our certified specialists in employment law, Dr. Thomas Bichat and Mr. Jens Schmidt, advise corporate groups on measures to reduce the likelihood of employment law disputes.

Our legal team assists companies in designing anti-bullying and harassment measures, implementing mechanisms by which employees can complain and overseeing of training of managers and supervisors to ensure that they are compliant with their legal expectations.

On the manufacturing side of the automotive industry, companies must have suitable safety measures in place to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Companies that allow dangerous working conditions and companies that fail to implement safety measures leave themselves wide-open to legal action. Our lawyers advise private individuals on their options when considering legal action against their employer on these matters.

Standing out in the automotive industry can be achieved through your intellectual property. If your company develops a reputation for reliability and high-performance it is crucial to ensure that your copyrights, trademarks and other forms of intellectual property are kept protected. For those in the industry looking to get ahead by means of creativity and cutting-edge technology, it is critical to have dependable advice regarding what can be patented.

Our lawyers advise all forms of companies, including start-ups and more traditional businesses, as to their rights under intellectual property law. Not protecting your creativity by applying copyrights or patents where applicable can leave your company vulnerable to competitors and may result in your company not benefiting from its ideas and vision. The automotive industry remains at the forefront of technological advances and with the right legal partner, your company’s ideas can be hugely profitable.

When looking to resolve disputes in Germany, it is crucial to have legal assistance. Our lawyers will where possible and where it is in our clients’ interests, look to resolve such matters outside of court through arbitration means. Arbitration procedures tend to be more cost-efficient, time-saving and allow companies to avoid damaging negative publicity. Our lawyers can oversee your preparations for such arbitration measures as our industry-specific knowledge will be applied in such disputes.

However, some cases do end up in court and need to be resolved in that manner. Our lawyers are very familiar with the courts in Germany and in litigation, they are ready to represent your company. From disputes over supply chain issues to shareholder litigation, our lawyers will be by your side. Furthermore, our team is ready to provide their considered legal opinions in the case of disputes or legal questions. Contact us now if your company finds itself involved in litigation or if you are looking to bring a lawsuit in Germany.