What does the subdistrict court do and when do I go there?

The short answer

The subdistrict court is the court for 'ordinary people' without a legal background. You go there for financial disputes up to €25,000, such as problems with suppliers, damage caused by third parties or breach of contract. Labor conflicts (dismissal, wages, discrimination) and rental disputes also fall under the subdistrict court, regardless of the amount. The procedure is more informal and you can plead your own case without a lawyer. This keeps the costs low and makes legal proceedings more accessible.

What does the law say?

The jurisdiction of the subdistrict court is described in the Code of Civil Procedure. The legislator has deliberately chosen this accessible form of justice to avoid discouraging citizens from seeking their rights. The subdistrict court is part of the district court but works with simplified procedures. For certain cases, such as rental and labor, the subdistrict court has exclusive jurisdiction regardless of the amount.

What do you need to watch out for?

Although you don't need a lawyer, you do need to prepare your case well. Collect all relevant documents such as contracts, invoices, correspondence and photos. Pay attention to the deadlines: some claims must be filed within a certain time. The court fees are lower than in other procedures, but you do pay costs upfront.

Example from practice

Jan buys a used car for €15,000. After two weeks, the engine breaks down due to a hidden defect. The seller refuses to take back the car or repair it. Jan can go to the subdistrict court because the amount is under €25,000. He collects the purchase agreement, the mechanic's report and the correspondence with the seller. Without a lawyer, he presents his case to the judge, who rules that the seller must take back the car in exchange for a full refund.

What can you do?

Always start by trying to reach an amicable settlement before going to court. If that doesn't work, you can have a summons drawn up and served through a bailiff.