Über jeden Zweifel erhaben – Feststellung von Völker- gewohnheitsrecht in der BGH-Rechtsprechung zur funktionellen Immunität ausländischer Staatsbediensteter

The Federal Court of Justice (FCJ) identified an exception to functional immunity for certain war crimes under customary international law in 2021 and extended it to all crimes under international law in 2024. The German legislator codified this case law in sec. 20(2), second sentence of the Courts Constitution Act (GVG). However, this case law raises international and constitutional law concerns. Applying a stringent methodology reveals objectively serious doubts about the identified customary rules. Therefore, the FCJ violated its constitutional obligation of referral to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) under art. 100(2) of the Basic Law (GG) in these decisions. A decision by the FCC on the controversial immunity exceptions may remedy the deficient customary international law reasoning of the FCJ’s jurisprudence and its statutory codification. This could enhance the legitimacy of the prosecution of crimes under international law in Germany and its potential contribution to the development of customary international law.