The German Civil Code (BGB) is the central code of German civil law. It regulates legal relations between private persons (individuals and legal entities) and is divided into five books.
- Book: General Part The first book of the Civil Code contains the general provisions of civil law. Here, among other things, terms and basic principles of private law are defined, such as legal subjects, legal capacity, legal transactions and statute of limitations.
- Book 2: Law of Obligations The second book of the German Civil Code deals with the relationship between creditor and debtor under the law of obligations. It governs the formation, content and termination of contracts, as well as the legal consequences in the event of breaches of contract.
- Book: Property Law The third book of the German Civil Code regulates property law. It includes the legal regulations on ownership, possession and other rights in rem to things.
- Book: Family Law The fourth book of the BGB deals with family law. It contains provisions on marriage, divorce, alimony, parental care, adoption and other family law matters.
- Book: Law of Succession The fifth book of the BGB deals with the law of succession. It contains regulations on inheritance, the drafting of wills, succession and the division of the estate.
The BGB forms the basis of German private law and is an important source of law for regulating everyday life and business transactions. It is continuously being developed and adapted to changes in society. The BGB is also relevant in other countries with similar legal traditions, such as Austria and Switzerland.