Developed under the guidance of Mathias Schmoeckel (Bonn), Joachim Rückert (Frankfurt) and Reinhard Zimmerman (Hamburg), this historic commentary on the German Civil Code provides a long and widely awaited cornerstone for legal research and offers perspectives from primarily younger legal historians. Editing of Volume I (General Part) was undertaken by Mathias Schmoeckel. In preparation for this volume, two symposia took place: the first in September 2000 in Regensburg and the second in September 2001 in Bonn. The volume was released in spring 2003 by Mohr Siebeck. Editing of Volume II was overseen by Reinhard Zimmerman; a first preparatory symposium occurring in September 2002 in Würzberg. Released in the fall of 2007, Volume II has been divided into two parts in light of the complexity of material treating the general law of obligations.

 

 

 

 

The introduction to Volume I describes the goals of the commentary as follows (in translation):
 
“On the 1st of January 2000, the German Civil Code entered into its one hundredth year of existence.  In January 2002, exactly two years later, the Civil Code underwent its most substantial reform since its inception with the modernisation and revision of the law of obligations.  These occurrences present a dual basis for pause and reflection.  On one hand, we are reminded that the Civil Code is a historic marvel, still vital and in legal effect.  On the other hand, the law and the very text of the Civil Code are in a continual state of change.  However, while an historic perspective is essential to fully appreciate the current state of the law, few jurists are so conversant.  Consequently, this undertaking to publish a commentary clarifies the historic origins of the Civil Code and traces its progression.  Some aspects of current law are a considerable departure from the original text of the Code.  These developments emerged out of the historical text of the Civil Code but were also substantially influenced by a broader connection to traditional legal sources as well as a socio-historical context.  A central concern of this commentary is clarifying these influencing contexts and traditions.  This seems particularly important as the earlier ideal of a national legal codification fades away and the contours of a European legal system slowly emerge.  This emerging European legal system can and must similarly build upon existing, historic frameworks.  The national codifications are a part of these frameworks as are the corresponding case-law and jurisprudence.  In turn, these national legal frameworks must open themselves to inquiries regarding their own rationality.  These inquiries must necessarily be undertaken with a historically critical eye:  How have these legal structures developed?  Under which beliefs have they been moulded?  In what ways have they stood the test of time and in what ways have they transformed?  What has been our experience with these structures here in Germany?  What similarities (and what differences) can be identified regarding the legal problems and solutions arising before and after the enactment of the Civil Code?  Which economic, cultural and social factors have shaped our legal systems?  Are we negotiating a productive path or walking instead down a dead-end street?  How are our civil law structures holding up to new challenges and the scrutiny of European institutions?  If we are well-prepared to answer such questions regarding the foundation and evolution of our own legal principles, German jurists can expect a keen and receptive audience in Europe’s commencing and parallel debate.”
 
Contributors to the first two volumes of the commentary:
 
Volume I:

Stefan Stolte (Bonn): An Overview on the Formation of the German Civil Code with Source Texts.
Reinhard Zimmermann (Hamburg): The German Civil Code and the Development of Civil Law
Joachim Rückert (Frankfurt a.M.): The German Civil Code and its Principles: Challenge, Solution and Success
Mathias Schmoeckel (Bonn): The General Part in the System of the German Civil Code, [f1] §§ 164-181
Thomas Duve (Munich): §§ 1-14
Fred G. Bär (Berlin): §§ 21-79
Martin Pennitz (Graz): §§ 80-89, §§ 232-240
Thomas Rüfner (Bonn) §§ 91-103
Martin Josef Schermaier (Münster): vor § 104, §§ 116-124, §§ 142-144
Andreas Thier (Munich): §§ 104-113
Rudolf Meyer-Pritzl (Kiel): §§ 125-129
Peter Oestmann (Frankfurt a.M.): §§ 130-132, §§ 145-156
Stefan Vogenauer (Hamburg): §§ 133, 157
Franz Dorn (Trier): §§ 134-137, §§ 139-141
Hans-Peter Haferkamp (Berlin): § 138, §§ 226-231
Sibylle Hofer (Regensburg): vor § 145
Thomas Finkenauer (Trier): §§ 158-163, §§ 194-225
Hans-Georg Hermann (Munich): §§ 186-193, §§ 194-225
 
Volume II:

Band II:

Part 1:

Ralf Michaels (Durham) und Sybille Hofer (Bern): vor § 241
Franz Dorn (Trier): §§ 241, 241 a, 243-248
Thomas Duve (Buenos Aires) und Hans-Peter Haferkamp (Köln): § 242
Nils Jansen (Münster): §§ 249-255
Peter Gröschler (Mainz): §§ 256-274
Martin Josef Schermaier (Bonn): vor § 275, vor § 276, §§ 275-285
Sebastian Lohsse (Bonn): §§ 286-292
Martin Pennitz (Graz): §§ 293-304

Part 2:

Sibylle Hofer (Bern): §§ 305-310, §§ 315-319
Phillipp Hellwege (Hamburg): §§ 305-310
Stefan Vogenauer (Oxford): §§ 305-310, §§ 328-335
Andreas Thier (Zürich): § 311 I, §§ 346-359
Jan Dirk Harke (Würzburg): §§ 311 II, III, 311a-311c
Mathias Schmoeckel (Bonn): vor §§ 312 ff., §§ 312-312f
Rudolf Meyer-Pritzl (Kiel): §§ 313-314, §§ 414-418
Martin Pennitz (Graz): §§ 320-322
Christian Hattenhauer (Heidelberg): §§ 323-325, §§ 398-413
Martin Josef Schermaier (Bonn): § 326
Hans-Georg Hermann (München): §§ 336-345
Tilman Repgen (Hamburg): §§ 362-386
Reinhard Zimmermann (Hamburg): §§ 387-396
Jens Kleinschmidt (Hamburg): § 397
Sonja Meier (Hamburg): §§ 420-432