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The legal education system and preparatory service for law graduates in Germany are facing growing challenges, sparking a need for systemic improvements. In response, the Bundesverband rechtswissenschaftlicher Fachschaften (BRF) recently established the Referendariatskommission (RefKo), a dedicated commission to advocate for the interests of law trainees. RefKo's agenda addresses several key issues, including the enhancement of study groups and mitigating mental stress among trainees.

In April 2024, Hamburg hosted the first nationwide assembly for legal trainees, organized by the BRF, the umbrella association for German law student councils. This gathering officially marked RefKo’s launch, allowing the commission to begin its work after a year of foundational setup.

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A particularly urgent issue emerged when North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) announced cuts to legal trainee positions, reducing available slots from 4,500 to 3,000 and shortening the preparatory period by one month, which also cuts trainee maintenance allowances. In response, RefKo voiced strong opposition and launched a petition, which has already gathered over 6,000 signatures. These changes come at a time when the legal field is already facing a shortage of qualified professionals amid a wave of retirements.

RefKo’s efforts to unify trainee representation across Germany reveal the organizational challenges posed by varying degrees of trainee support structures across states. While some, like NRW, maintain formalized trainee committees under state law, others, such as Bavaria and Thuringia, rely on more informal associations. Additionally, high turnover among trainees complicates continuity. To address this, RefKo seeks to consolidate representation and offer nationwide advocacy.

As part of its ongoing efforts, RefKo has established channels to bridge communication between local representatives and national policymakers, supporting local advocacy, as seen in their recent efforts against NRW’s budget cuts. Currently, RefKo comprises six elected members and ten state representatives, rotating leadership every six months to ensure seamless knowledge transfer and continuity. Read: imigration attorney law write for us

RefKo’s agenda is ambitious yet crucial. Through initiatives such as trainee surveys and mental health task forces, the commission is actively gathering data to push for structural enhancements. In the coming years, RefKo’s priorities will include increasing maintenance allowances, reducing workloads during training, and enhancing the quality of study groups—steps that promise a more supportive and effective legal training experience in Germany.