Electronic citizen and organizations mailbox (eBO) with the eBO Gateway
The number of people required to use electronic legal transactions (ERV) to communicate with courts continues to grow:
The electronic citizen and organizations mailbox (eBO) was introduced in 2022.
The electronic court and administration mailbox (EGVP) communication system, which has been in place since 2004, provides various roles through which identified participants can securely transmit electronic documents to participating courts, government authorities, lawyers, and notaries.
While government authorities have had access to electronic legal transactions (ERV) since 2018 (beBPo), notaries since 2018 (beN), and lawyers since 2016 (beA), it will also be possible for other professionals involved in proceedings to send electronic files and receive documents sent electronically by courts directly via the eBO. This will help to greatly avoid media disruptions.
With the eBO, individuals and organizations that are typically involved in court proceedings will now be included in the ERV. This refers to “professional users”, such as experts, companies, bailiffs, interpreters, pension consultants or legal guardians. And also includes associations, trade unions, consumer advice centers, and debt collection agencies.
The legal framework of the eBO provides that sending from the eBO replaces the written form. This means that the often legally required “written form” or “written form requirement” is fulfilled. This eliminates paper, qualified signatures on electronic documents, and inconvenient delivery methods.
The eBO is based on the German “Law on the expansion of electronic legal transactions with the courts.” This law requires users to identify themselves only once when opening the eBO, which can be done with a local notary.
While it may not be very interesting for general citizens to open such a mailbox, it makes life a lot easier for the aforementioned professionals, who frequently work with the courts.
Soon enough, the printed form will likely disappear from legal transactions forever.
