Right to Choose a Lawyer in Germany [Freie Anwaltswahl]

Key takeaways

• You have the right to choose a lawyer to represent you.
• We have partnered with several English-speaking lawyers who can support you with different legal situations. Some of the lawyers even offer free initial consultation. You can book a call with the lawyers here.
• Almost every legal insurance company in Germany offers the right to choose a lawyer (Freie Anwaltswahl).
• The legal insurance provider also recommends a lawyer. However, you should be cautious about following this recommendation. The lawyer may prioritize the insurer’s interests over yours.
• In our comparison and test, we found that KS-Auxilia*—Jurprivat, Arag*—Aktiv-Premium, and WGV—Optimal PBV are the best legal insurance plans.

Table of Contents

What is the right to choose a lawyer in Germany (Freie Anwaltswahl)?

When you face a legal dispute, you should be free to choose your lawyer. You can pick any lawyer you wish if you pay the lawyer’s fee and court costs from your pocket.

However, you can freely choose a lawyer only if your legal insurance contract includes the right to choose a lawyer. Otherwise, you have to rely on the lawyer recommended by the insurer.

Thus, ensure that your legal insurance policy includes the right to choose a lawyer (Freie Anwaltswahl). 

In our comparison and test, we found that KS-Auxilia*—Jurprivat, Arag*—Aktiv-Premium, and WGV—Optimal PBV are the best legal insurance plans.

Unfortunately, no legal insurance provider in Germany offers services in English. Insurance agents like Feather* and Getsafe* offer basic English support. However, when you need legal advice, you must contact the insurance company, which only offers advice in German.

Feather and Getsafe sell Roland’s legal insurance plans.

NOTE: Top rating agencies in Germany rated Arag—Aktiv-Premium, WGV—Optimal PBV, and KS / Auxilia—Jurprivat as the best legal insurance plans in Germany (as of Jan 2025).

Why is the right to choose a lawyer important?

Here are some reasons why having the right to choose your lawyer is important.

Pick a lawyer who keeps your best interests in mind.

The lawyer recommended by the legal insurance provider must consider both your and the insurer’s interests, which could lead to a conflict of interest. 

The legal insurance company wants to keep legal expenses to a minimum, which means settling the case as soon as possible is the best solution.

On the other hand, settling early for less may not be best for you. Achieving the best results takes time and money.

Hence, ensure that your legal insurance contract includes the right to choose a lawyer (Frei Anwaltwahl).

You trust the lawyer you pick

You must trust the lawyer representing you. If you already know a lawyer you trust, it’s best to avail yourself of their services instead of those recommended by the insurer.

You can even ask your friends and family if they know a good lawyer suitable for the legal dispute.

Find a lawyer with expertise in the legal area of dispute

Like any other field, there are specializations in the legal world. It’s recommended to choose a specialized lawyer with experience in the legal area in which your dispute falls.

For example, you would prefer a lawyer specializing in real estate law to represent you in conflicts with your landlord. Similarly, you would prefer a lawyer specializing in immigration law in case of conflicts with the immigration office.

How do you find a lawyer in Germany?

• Ask your friends and family for recommendations.
• Your legal insurance provider can recommend lawyers. But you don’t necessarily have to hire the lawyer the insurer recommends.
• We have partnered with several English-speaking lawyers who can support you with different legal situations. Some of the lawyers even offer free initial consultation. You can book a call with the lawyers here.
• There are many lawyer search portals in Germany that you can use to find a lawyer in your area.
  • Official nationwide register of lawyers in Germany.
  • German lawyers’ association
• A quick Google search can also list lawyers near you.

What should you consider while hiring a lawyer in Germany?

• The lawyer specializes in the legal field that covers your dispute.
• The lawyer has positive ratings on the internet.
• Some law firms even have quality certificates issued by TÜV and Dekra. This is another proof of the high standards practiced in the law firm. Lawyers running solo practice usually don’t have such certificates.
• You feel comfortable with the lawyer.

Can the legal insurance company reject the lawyer of my choice?

You can pick any lawyer if your legal insurance includes the right to choose a lawyer clause. However, in rare cases, your insurance provider can reject the lawyer of your choice.

In this situation, you must recommend three other lawyers to the insurance company, and the insurer must approve one of them.

References

• https://www.moneyland.ch/de/rechtsschutz-anwalt-wahl
• https://www.jochen-versichert.de/blog/allgemein/darf-ich-bei-der-devk-rechtsschutzversicherung-meinen-anwalt-frei-waehlen/
• https://www.check24.de/rechtsschutzversicherung/fragen/freie-anwaltswahl/
• https://www.transparent-beraten.de/rechtsschutzversicherung/freie-anwaltswahl/