How FIFA, Microsoft, WPs, BP and the Mafia are sued under the same law and pilloried through American glasses, Dr. Johannes Fiala and Dipl.-Math. Peter A. Schramm explain in a multi-part article. The first part was about the “Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act”, a US federal law that makes this kind of jurisdiction […]
Artikel zum Thema: Federal Court of Justice
Benefits to spouses and in the case of non-marital cohabitation are often recoverable
If donations are for the purpose of community protection, but are not gifts…. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH, ruling of 6 May 2014, file no. X ZR 135/11) decided that donations to non-marital partners with the purpose of securing the death of the donor are not gifts. If the cohabitation fails, such donations must […]
Insurance lottery: Does insurance cover depend on chance?
If the cover does not match the risk in the case of insurance policies that differ from the application, what is actually still insured? And what is not? The answer to this question is provided by Dr. Johannes Fiala and Dipl.-Math. Peter A. Schramm. “Once you had the advantage,” said the devil, “but that shall […]
UK of the bAV can permanently reduce insolvency assets
Assets are protected from the insolvency administrator – in the event of death the situation is different: The Federal Court of Justice (BGH, ruling of 08.12.2016, ref. IX ZR 257/15) ruled that the general and insolvency-independent waiver of surrender of the (residual) assets of a provident fund (UK) for occupational pension provision (bAV) can be […]
ECJ: Tax advice to residents by foreign consultants
In its ruling of 17.12.2015 (Case C-342/14), the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that foreign tax consulting companies are authorised to provide tax advice in Germany. According to the Advocate General’s opinion to the ECJ, this requires “the recognition of the company and the appointment of its management bodies as tax advisors” (StB) – […]
Liability for missing documentation, even in case of correct advice: Part 1
A recent ruling of the Higher Regional Court of Cologne of 26.02.2016 (Case No. 20 U 102/15) underlines the “obligation of the broker to inform the policyholder that the intended change to private health insurance (PKV) may affect the insurance cover of his or her spouse and the financial burdens associated with it”. The spouse […]
No claims settlement through insurance brokers
In the view of VDVM, a current ruling by the BGH will have far-reaching consequences for insurance brokers. Even though it will still be some time before the reasons for the judgement are given, it is becoming apparent that the Federal Court of Justice considers the settlement of claims by insurance brokers to be a […]
Foreign insurance – opportunities and risks
Foreign insurance companies, especially those from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union (EU) are increasingly competing with domestic providers. For insurance intermediaries and insurance customers, this creates risks, but also opportunities. EEA and EU insurers must obtain a certificate from their home financial supervisory authority that they have sufficient own funds. […]
When the insolvency administrator takes hold
Direct insurance and term life insurance In the case of insolvency, a distinction is made between the actual insolvency proceedings and the subsequent good conduct phase lasting several years. Insurance benefits from private and company pension schemes (bAV), but also from term life insurance, can be paid out in both phases. The insolvency administrator will […]
When the insolvency administrator takes hold
Direct insurance and term life insurance In the case of insolvency, a distinction is made between the actual insolvency proceedings and the subsequent good conduct phase lasting several years. Insurance benefits from private and company pension schemes (bAV), but also from term life insurance, can be paid out in both phases. The insolvency administrator will […]