Document background
The Plaintiff Demand Letter (Mahnschreiben) is a critical document in German debt collection procedures, used when previous attempts to secure payment have been unsuccessful. It serves as a formal prerequisite before initiating legal proceedings in German courts. This document is typically employed when a clear debt exists, payment is overdue, and the creditor wishes to create a formal record of demand before pursuing legal action. The letter must comply with German Civil Code requirements and include specific elements such as exact amount owed, payment deadline, and consequences of non-payment. It's particularly important as it can affect the creditor's ability to claim default interest and legal costs in subsequent proceedings. The document can be used in both B2B and B2C contexts, though consumer protection regulations may apply in B2C cases.
