Gewaltenteilung im digitalen Staat

Digitalization is leading to far-reaching changes in the area of jurisdiction. The use of specialist applications and the nationwide introduction of eFiles in all courts by January 1, 2026 means that judicial activities are increasingly permeated by technology. Central IT service providers are required to organize digitization and perform tasks in the area of data storage and data center operation. In most countries, the central IT service providers of the general administration are also responsible for this in the courts. Against this background, it is questionable to what extent such organizational models are compatible with the principle of separation of powers. The principle of the organizational independence of the courts under Art. 20 para. 2 sentence 2 in conjunction with Art. 92 Basic Lawis of central importance. Frederik Thomasen sets out minimum requirements for the separation of their IT infrastructures in order to avoid inadmissible interdependence between courts and administrations. In addition, digitalization poses new risks to judicial independence, which is protected under Article 97 of the Basic Law. On the one hand, there is a threat from the use of software as a digital tool, in particular the use of automated software and applications that use artificial intelligence methods to support judicial decision-making. On the other hand, new possibilities for accessing judicial data pose a threat. The author then develops basic measures to protect judicial independence from these dangers. Of particular importance here is the control of data processing by IT control commissions made up of judges.