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HGB (EN) 🇩🇪

HGB-EN · 683 sections

Book 1
Commercial entities▸

Division 1 · Merchants

Section 1Section 1 Section 2Section 2 Section 3Section 3 Section 4Section 4 Section 5Section 5 Section 6Section 6 Section 7Section 7

Division 2 · Commercial register; business register

Section 8Commercial register Section 8aEntries in the Commercial Register; authorisation to issue ordinances Section 8bBusiness Register Section 9Inspection of the Commercial Register and the Business Register Section 9aTransfer of the administration of the Business Register; authorisation to issue ordinances Section 9bEuropean system of interconnection of registers Section 9cExchange of information regarding disqualified persons via the European system of interconnection of registers Section 10Notice by publication of the entries; register notices by publication Section 10aApplication of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 Section 11Disclosure in an official language of a Member State of the European Union Section 12Applications for registration, and submissions Section 13Branch offices of enterprises having their seat in Germany Section 13aEuropean branch offices of share capital companies having their seat in Germany Section 13dSeat or main office abroad Section 13eBranch offices of share capital companies having their seat abroad Section 13fBranch offices of stock corporations having their seat abroad Section 13gBranch offices of limited liability companies having their seat abroad Section 13hTransfer of the seat of a domestic main office Section 14Section 14 Section 15Section 15 Section 15aService by publication Section 16Section 16

Division 3 · Commercial business name

Section 17Section 17 Section 18Section 18 Section 19Section 19 Section 21Section 21 Section 22Section 22 Section 23Section 23 Section 24Section 24 Section 25Section 25 Section 26Section 26 Section 27Section 27 Section 28Section 28 Section 29Section 29 Section 30Section 30 Section 31Section 31 Section 32Section 32 Section 33Section 33 Section 34Section 34 Section 37Section 37 Section 37aSection 37a

Division 5 · General commercial power of representation and commercial authority to act

Section 48Section 48 Section 49Section 49 Section 50Section 50 Section 51Section 51 Section 52Section 52 Section 53Section 53 Section 54Section 54 Section 55Section 55 Section 56Section 56 Section 57Section 57 Section 58Section 58

Division 6 · Commercial employees and commercial apprentices

Section 59Section 59 Section 60Section 60 Section 61Section 61 Section 62Section 62 Section 64Section 64 Section 65Where it is agreed that as a rule, the commercial employee is to receive a commission for transactions concluded or negotiated by them, the provisions applicable to commercial agents in section 87 (1) and (3) and in sections 87a to 87c apply. Section 74Section 74 Section 74aSection 74a Section 74bSection 74b Section 74cSection 74c Section 75Section 75 Section 75aPrior to termination of the employment relationship, the principal may waive the non-compete clause, by means of a written declaration, to the effect that, at the end of one year after the declaration, they will be free of the obligation to pay compensation. Section 75cSection 75c Section 75dThe principal may not invoke rights resulting from an agreement which deviates from the provisions of sections 74 to 75c to the detriment of the commercial employee. This also applies to agreements intended, by way of set-off or other means, to circumvent the statutory provisions concerning minimum compensation. Section 75fSection 75f Section 75gSection 75g Section 75hSection 75h Section 82aSection 82a Section 83Section 83

Division 7 · Commercial agents

Section 84Section 84 Section 85Section 85 Section 86Section 86 Section 86aSection 86a Section 86bSection 86b Section 87Section 87 Section 87aSection 87a Section 87bSection 87b Section 87cSection 87c Section 87dThe commercial agent may demand reimbursement of expenses incurred by them in the ordinary course of business only if this is customary in the trade. Section 88aSection 88a Section 89Section 89 Section 89aSection 89a Section 89bSection 89b Section 90Section 90 Section 90aSection 90a Section 91Section 91 Section 91aSection 91a Section 92Section 92 Section 92aSection 92a Section 92bSection 92b Section 92cSection 92c

Division 8 · Commercial brokers

Section 93Section 93 Section 94Section 94 Section 95Section 95 Section 96Section 96 Section 97Section 97 Section 98Section 98 Section 99Section 99 Section 100Section 100 Section 101Section 101 Section 102Section 102 Section 103Section 103 Section 104Section 104

Division 9 · Provisions on regulatory offences

Section 104aProvision on regulatory offences

Title 1 · Formation of a partnership

Section 105Section 105 Section 106Section 106 Section 107Section 107 Section 108Section 108

Title 2 · Legal relations of partners to one another

Section 109Section 109 Section 110Section 110 Section 111Section 111 Section 112Section 112 Section 113Section 113 Section 114Section 114 Section 115Section 115 Section 116Section 116 Section 117Section 117 Section 118Section 118 Section 119Section 119 Section 120Section 120 Section 121Section 121 Section 122Section 122

Title 3 · Legal relations of partners to third parties

Section 123Section 123 Section 124Section 124 Section 125Section 125 Section 125aSection 125a Section 126Section 126 Section 127Section 127 Section 128Section 128 Section 129Section 129 Section 129aSection 129a Section 130Section 130

Title 4 · Dissolution of the partnership and withdrawal of partners

Section 131Section 131 Section 132Section 132 Section 133Section 133 Section 134Section 134 Section 135Where a personal creditor of a partner, after an attempt to levy compulsory enforcement on the movable property of the partner has proved unsuccessful within the past six months, obtains, by virtue of other than a merely provisionally enforceable title of execution, an attachment and transfer of claim to what is due the partner in the case of a winding up of the partnership, such personal creditor of a partner may terminate the partnership with effect to the end of the fiscal year, irrespective of whether the partnership was entered into for a fixed term or for an indefinite period, by giving notice six months before the end of such fiscal year. Section 139Section 139 Section 140Section 140 Section 143Section 143 Section 144Section 144

Title 5 · Liquidation of the partnership

Section 145Section 145 Section 146Section 146 Section 147Section 147 Section 148Section 148 Section 149Section 149 Section 150Section 150 Section 151Section 151 Section 152Section 152 Section 153Section 153 Section 154Section 154 Section 155Section 155 Section 156Section 156 Section 157Section 157 Section 158Section 158

Title 6 · Statute of limitations. Time limit on liability.

Section 159Section 159 Section 160Section 160

Part 2
Partly limited partnership▸

Section 161Section 161 Section 162Section 162 Section 163Section 163 Section 164Section 164 Section 165Section 165 Section 166Section 166 Section 167Section 167 Section 168Section 168 Section 169Section 169 Section 170Section 170 Section 171Section 171 Section 172Section 172 Section 172aSection 172a Section 173Section 173 Section 174Section 174 Section 175Section 175 Section 176Section 176 Section 177Section 177 Section 177aSection 125a also applies to a partnership in which a limited partner is a natural person. The particulars concerning the partners prescribed under section 125a (1) sentence 2 are required only for the general partners of the partnership.

Part 3
Silent partnership▸

Section 230Section 230 Section 231Section 231 Section 232Section 232 Section 233Section 233 Section 234Section 234 Section 235Section 235 Section 236Section 236 Section 237Section 237

Division 1 · Provisions applicable to all merchants

Section 238Duty to keep books Section 239Maintenance of commercial records Section 240Inventory Section 241Procedures for simplified inventory-taking Section 241aRelease from the duty to keep books and to prepare an inventory Section 242Reporting requirement Section 243Principles governing the process of drawing up reports Section 244Language, currency Section 245Signature

Title 2 · Provisions on recognition

Section 246Completeness, prohibition of set-off Section 247Content of the balance sheet Section 248Items prohibited from inclusion on the balance sheet and options for including items on the balance sheet Section 249Provisions Section 250Accrued and deferred items Section 251Contingent liabilities and commitments

Title 3 · Valuation rules

Section 252General principles of valuation Section 253Initial recognition and subsequent valuation Section 254Creation of combined items for valuation purposes Section 255Standards of valuation Section 256Procedures for simplified valuation Section 256aCurrency translation Section 257Retention of documents Section 258Production of records in a legal dispute Section 259Excerpt of records produced in a legal dispute Section 260Production of records in the case of distributions of assets Section 261Production of documents on image carriers or data carriers Section 262Section 262 Section 263Reservation of the provisions of the laws applicable at the Land level

Title 1 · General provisions

Section 264Reporting requirement; exemption Section 264aApplication to certain general partnerships and partly limited partnerships Section 264bExemption of the general partnerships and partly limited partnerships within the meaning of section 264a from application of the provisions of this Division Section 264cSpecial provisions for general partnerships and partly limited partnerships within the meaning of section 264a Section 264dPublicly traded share capital company Section 265General principles governing classifications

Title 2 · Balance sheet

Section 266Layout of the balance sheet Section 267Allocation to size categories Section 267aMicro share capital companies Section 268Provisions regarding individual items of the balance sheet Section 269Section 269 Section 270Creation of certain items Section 271Participating interests, affiliated enterprises Section 272Equity capital Section 273Section 273 Section 274Deferred taxes Section 274aEased requirements based on the size of the enterprise

Title 3 · Profit and loss account

Section 275Layout Section 276Eased requirements based on the size of the enterprise Section 277Provisions on individual items of the profit and loss account Section 278Section 278

Title 5 · Notes

Section 284Explanation of the balance sheet and of the profit and loss account Section 285Other mandatory disclosures Section 286Non-disclosure of information Section 287Section 287 Section 288Eased requirements based on the size of the enterprise

Title 6 · Management report

Section 289Content of the management report Section 289aSupplementary requirements for certain stock corporations and public partly limited partnerships Section 289bObligation to draw up a non-financial statement; exemptions Section 289cContent of the non-financial statement Section 289dUse of frameworks Section 289eOmission of detrimental information Section 289fCorporate governance statement

Title 1 · Scope of application

Section 290Reporting requirement Section 291Exemptive effect of consolidated financial statements drawn up in accordance with EU/EEA accounting standards Section 292Exemptive effect of consolidated financial statements drawn up in accordance with the accounting standards of a third state Section 292aSection 292a Section 293Exemptions granted based on the size of the enterprise

Title 2 · Scope of consolidation

Section 294Enterprises to be included, duties to make submissions and provide information Section 295Section 295 Section 296Waiver of inclusion

Title 3 · Content and form of the consolidated financial statements

Section 297Content Section 298Applicable provisions; eased requirements Section 299Cut-off date for drawing up the consolidated financial statements

Title 4 · Full consolidation

Section 300Consolidation principles; Requirement to provide full and complete information Section 301Consolidation of capital Section 302Section 302 Section 303Consolidation of debt obligations Section 304Treatment of interim profits or losses Section 305Consolidation of expenditures and earnings Section 306Deferred taxes Section 307Shares of other shareholders

Title 5 · Valuation rules

Section 308Uniform valuation Section 308aConversion of financial statements presented in a foreign currency Section 309Treatment of the difference

Title 6 · Proportional consolidation

Section 310Proportional consolidation

Title 7 · Associated enterprises

Section 311Definition; exemption Section 312Values recognised for participating interests and treatment of the difference

Title 8 · Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Section 313Explanation of the consolidated balance sheet and of the consolidated profit and loss account, information on possession of participating interests Section 314Other mandatory disclosures

Title 9 · Consolidated management report

Section 315Content of the consolidated management report Section 315aSupplementary provisions for certain stock corporations and public partly limited partnerships Section 315bObligation to draw up a consolidated non-financial statement; exemption Section 315cContent of the consolidated non-financial statement Section 315dConsolidated corporate governance statement

Title 10 · Consolidated financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards

Section 315eSection 315e Section 316Duty to audit Section 316aAudit of public-interest entities Section 317Subject matter and scope of the audit Section 318Appointment of the statutory auditor; removal from office Section 319Selection of the auditors and preclusion criteria Section 319aSection 319a Section 319bNetwork Section 320Duty to submit documents; right to obtain information Section 321Auditor’s additional report Section 321aDisclosure of the auditor’s additional report in special cases Section 322Audit report Section 323Responsibilities of the statutory auditor Section 324Audit committee Section 324aApplication to the standalone financial statements pursuant to section 325 (2a) Section 325Disclosure Section 325aBranch offices of share capital companies having their seat abroad Section 326Eased disclosure requirements, based on the size of the enterprise, for small share capital companies and micro share capital companies Section 327Eased disclosure requirements, based on the size of the enterprise, for medium-sized share capital companies Section 327aEased requirement for certain publicly traded share capital companies Section 328Form, format and content of the documents at disclosure, publication and reproduction Section 329Verification and notification duties of the body maintaining the Business Register Section 330Section 330

Title 1 · Penal provisions and provisions as to administrative fines

Section 331Incorrect presentation Section 331aIncorrect assurance Section 332Breach of reporting obligations Section 333Breach of confidentiality obligations Section 333aBreach of duties entailed by statutory audits Section 334Provisions concerning administrative fines

Title 2 · Coercive fines

Section 335Imposition of coercive fines; powers to issue statutory instruments Section 335aComplaint against the imposition of a coercive fine; complaint on points of law; power to issue statutory instruments

Title 3 · Common provisions for criminal proceedings, proceedings for the imposition of administrative fines and proceedings for the imposition of coercive fines

Section 335bApplication of the penal provisions and of the provisions as to administrative fines as well as the provisions concerning coercive fines to certain general partnerships and partly limited partnerships Section 335cNotifications made to the Auditor Oversight Body Section 336Duty to draw up annual financial statements and a management report Section 337Provisions concerning the balance sheet Section 338Provisions concerning the notes Section 339Disclosure

Title 1 · Scope of application

Section 340Section 340

Title 2 · Annual financial statements, management report, interim financial statements

Section 340aApplicable provisions Section 340bRepurchase agreements Section 340cProvisions concerning the profit and loss account and the notes Section 340dMaturity breakdown

Title 3 · Valuation rules

Section 340eValuation of assets Section 340fProvisions for general banking risks Section 340gSpecial item for general banking risks

Title 4 · Currency translation

Section 340hCurrency translation

Title 5 · Consolidated financial statements, consolidated management report, interim consolidated financial statements

Section 340iReporting requirement Section 340jEnterprises to be included

Title 6 · Audit

Section 340kSection 340k

Title 7 · Disclosure

Section 340lSection 340l

Title 8 · Penal provisions and provisions as to administrative fines, coercive fines

Section 340mPenal provisions Section 340nProvisions as to administrative fines Section 340oImposition of a coercive fine

Title 1 · Scope of application

Section 341Section 341

Title 2 · Annual financial statements, management report

Section 341aApplicable provisions

Title 3 · Valuation rules

Section 341bValuation of assets Section 341cRegistered bonds, mortgage loans and other receivables Section 341dInvestment stock of unit-linked life insurance

Title 4 · Insurance technical provisions

Section 341eGeneral accounting principles Section 341fLife assurance provision Section 341gProvisions for claims outstanding Section 341hEqualisation provisions and similar provisions

Title 5 · Consolidated financial statements, consolidated management report

Section 341iDrawing up, time limits Section 341jApplicable provisions

Title 6 · Audit

Section 341kSection 341k

Title 7 · Disclosure

Section 341lSection 341l

Title 8 · Penal provisions and provisions as to administrative fines, coercive fines

Section 341mPenal provisions Section 341nProvisions as to administrative fines Section 341oImposition of a coercive fine Section 341pApplication to pension funds of the penal provisions and the provisions concerning administrative fines and coercive fines

Title 1 · Scope of application; definitions

Section 341qScope of application Section 341rDefinitions

Title 2 · Report on payments to governmental bodies, consolidated report on payments to governmental bodies and disclosure

Section 341sDuty to draw up the report on payments to governmental bodies; exemptions Section 341tContent of the report on payments to governmental bodies Section 341uLayout of the report on payments to governmental bodies Section 341vConsolidated report on payments to governmental bodies; exemption Section 341wDisclosure

Title 3 · Provisions as to administrative fines, coercive fines

Section 341xProvisions as to administrative fines Section 341yProvisions on coercive fines

Title 1 · Scope; definitions

Section 342Scope Section 342aDefinitions

Title 2 · Duty to issue reports on income tax information

Section 342bUnaffiliated enterprises having their seat in Germany Section 342cUltimate parent enterprises having their seat in Germany Section 342dSubsidiary enterprises having their seat in Germany of ultimate parent enterprises having their seat in a third state Section 342eDomestic branch offices of unaffiliated enterprises having their seat in a third state Section 342fDomestic branch offices of affiliated enterprises having their seat in a third state

Title 3 · Enterprises to be included; content and form of the report on income tax information

Section 342gEnterprises to be included Section 342hMandatory disclosures Section 342iInformation shown by country Section 342jCurrency Section 342kOmission of detrimental particulars Section 342lForm sheet; machine readable electronic format

Title 4 · Disclosure and publication

Section 342mDisclosure in the Business Register Section 342nPublication on the company website

Title 5 · Provisions concerning administrative fines; coercive fines

Section 342oProvisions concerning administrative fines Section 342pCoercive fines Section 342qFinancial reporting committee incorporated under private law Section 342rFinancial reporting advisory council

Book 4
Commercial transactions▸

Division 1 · General provisions

Section 343Section 343 Section 344Section 344 Section 345Section 345 Section 346Section 346 Section 347Section 347 Section 348Section 348 Section 349Section 349 Section 350Section 350 Section 351Section 351 Section 352Section 352 Section 353Section 353 Section 354Section 354 Section 354aSection 354a Section 355Section 355 Section 356Section 356 Section 357Section 357 Section 358Section 358 Section 359Section 359 Section 360Section 360 Section 361Section 361 Section 362Section 362 Section 363Section 363 Section 364Section 364 Section 365Section 365 Section 365aSection 365a Section 366Section 366 Section 367Section 367 Section 368Section 368 Section 369Section 369 Section 370Section 370 Section 371Section 371 Section 372Section 372

Division 2 · Commercial sale of goods

Section 373Section 373 Section 374Section 374 Section 375Section 375 Section 376Section 376 Section 377Section 377 Section 378Section 378 Section 379Section 379 Section 380Section 380 Section 381Section 381 Section 382Section 382

Division 3 · Transactions on a commission basis

Section 383Section 383 Section 384Section 384 Section 385Section 385 Section 386Section 386 Section 387Section 387 Section 388Section 388 Section 389Section 389 Section 390Section 390 Section 391Section 391 Section 392Section 392 Section 393Section 393 Section 394Section 394 Section 395Section 395 Section 396Section 396 Section 397Commission agent’s lien Section 398Section 398 Section 399Section 399 Section 400Section 400 Section 401Section 401 Section 402Section 402 Section 403Section 403 Section 404Section 404 Section 405Section 405 Section 406Section 406

Division 4 · Freight business

Section 407Contract of carriage Section 408Consignment note, authorisation to issue statutory instruments Section 409Evidentiary effect of the consignment note Section 410Dangerous goods Section 411Packaging, labelling Section 412Loading and unloading, authorisation to issue statutory instruments Section 413Accompanying documents Section 414Sender’s liability in special cases, irrespective of fault Section 415Termination by the sender Section 416Right to carriage of part of a consignment Section 417Carrier's rights if loading time is not complied with Section 418Subsequent instructions Section 419Obstacles to carriage and delivery Section 420Payment, calculation of freight Section 421Rights of consignee, duty to pay Section 422Cash on delivery Section 423Delivery period Section 424Presumption of loss Section 425Liability for loss of or damage to goods and for delay in delivery, loss sharing Section 426Exclusion of liability Section 427Particular grounds for exclusion of liability Section 428Responsibility for other persons Section 429Compensation based upon value Section 430Assessment costs Section 431Maximum amount of liability Section 432Compensation for other costs Section 433Maximum liability in cases of other pecuniary loss Section 434Non-contractual claims Section 435Cessation of the exemptions and limitations Section 436Liability of employees Section 437Actual carrier Section 438Notice of damage Section 439Prescription Section 440Carrier's lien Section 441Subsequent carrier Section 442Ranking order of several liens Section 443Consignment bill, authorisation to issue statutory instruments Section 444Effect of the consignment bill, entitlement Section 445Delivery in exchange for the consignment bill Section 446Carrying out instructions Section 447Objections Section 448Title function of the consignment bill Section 449Contractual modifications regarding liability Section 450Application of maritime law Section 451Removal contract Section 451aDuties of the carrier Section 451bConsignment note, dangerous goods, accompanying documents, duties to report and provide information Section 451cSection 451c Section 451dParticular grounds for exclusion of liability Section 451eMaximum amount of liability Section 451fNotice of damage Section 451gCessation of exemptions and limitations Section 451hContractual modifications Section 452Contract of carriage involving various modes of transport Section 452aKnown place of damage Section 452bNotice of damage, prescription Section 452cRemoval contract relating to carriage involving various modes of transport Section 452dContractual modifications

Division 5 · Forwarding business

Section 453Forwarding contract Section 454Arranging for the dispatch of the goods Section 455Handling of the goods, accompanying documents, duties to report and provide information Section 456Due date for payment of remuneration Section 457Claims of the sender Section 458Forwarder acting as carrier (Selbsteintritt) Section 459Forwarding at fixed costs Section 460Collective consignment (Sammelladung) Section 461Liability of the forwarder Section 462Responsibility for other persons Section 463Prescription Section 464Forwarder's lien Section 465Subsequent forwarder Section 466Contractual modifications regarding liability

Division 6 · Warehousing business

Section 467Warehousing contract Section 468Handling of the goods, accompanying documents, duties to report and provide information Section 469Collective storage Section 470Receipt of the goods Section 471Preservation of the goods Section 472Insurance, storage with a third party Section 473Duration of storage Section 474Reimbursement of expenditures Section 475Liability for loss or damage Section 475aPrescription Section 475bWarehouse keeper's lien Section 475cWarehouse warrant, authorisation to issue statutory instruments Section 475dEffect of the warehouse warrant, entitlement Section 475eDelivery in exchange for the warehouse warrant Section 475fObjections Section 475gTitle function of the warehouse warrant Section 475hContractual modifications

Book 5
Maritime trade▸

Chapter 1 · Persons involved in shipping

Section 476Reeder Section 477Ausrüster Section 478Ship’s company Section 479Rights of the master; ship’s log Section 480Responsibility of the Reeder for the ship’s company and pilots Section 481Primary duties; scope of application Section 482General information regarding the goods Section 483Dangerous goods Section 484Packing; leading marks Section 485Seaworthiness and cargoworthiness Section 486Handover of the goods for carriage; loading; reloading; discharge Section 487Accompanying documents Section 488Liability of the shipper and of third parties Section 489Termination by the shipper Section 490Carrier’s rights if the goods are not handed over for carriage in due time Section 491Subsequent instructions Section 492Obstacles to carriage and delivery Section 493Payment; calculation of freight Section 494Rights of consignee; duty to pay Section 495Carrier’s lien Section 496Subsequent carrier Section 497Ranking order of several liens

Subtitle 2 · Liability for loss of or physical damage to the goods

Section 498Grounds for liability Section 499Particular grounds for exclusion of liability Section 500Inadmissible loading and stowing of goods on deck Section 501Responsibility for other persons Section 502Compensation based upon value Section 503Assessment costs Section 504Limit of liability in the event the goods are damaged Section 505Unit of account Section 506Non-contractual claims Section 507Conduct barring exemptions from liability and limitations of liability Section 508Liability of servants and of the ship’s company Section 509Actual carrier Section 510Notice of damage Section 511Presumption of loss Section 512Divergent arrangements

Subtitle 3 · Accompanying documents

Section 513Entitlement to issuance of a bill of lading Section 514“On-board” bill of lading; “received-for-shipment” bill of lading Section 515Contents of the bill of lading Section 516Bill of lading format; authorisation to issue statutory instruments Section 517Evidentiary effect of the bill of lading Section 518Position of Reeder when carrier data are inadequate Section 519Entitlement under the bill of lading; legitimation Section 520Carrying out instructions Section 521Delivery in exchange for the bill of lading Section 522Objections Section 523Liability for inaccurate information in the bill of lading Section 524Transfer effected by the bill of lading (“effect of tradition”) Section 525Divergent provision made in the bill of lading Section 526Sea waybill; authorisation to issue statutory instruments

Title 2 · Voyage charter contract

Section 527Voyage charter contract Section 528Port of loading; loading wharf Section 529Notice of readiness for loading Section 530Loading time; laytime on demurrage Section 531Loading and stowing goods Section 532Termination by the shipper Section 533Partial carriage Section 534Termination by the carrier Section 535Discharge from the ship Section 536Scope of application Section 537Definitions Section 538Liability of the carrier for personal injuries Section 539Liability of the carrier for physical damage to luggage and damages resulting from delays in the re-delivery of luggage Section 540Responsibility for other persons Section 541Limit of liability for personal injury Section 542Limit of liability for physical damage to luggage and damages due to delays in the re-delivery of luggage Section 543Interest and costs of court proceedings Section 544Unit of account Section 545Conduct barring limitation of liability Section 546Actual carrier Section 547Liability of the carrier’s servants and of the ship’s company Section 548Concurrent claims Section 549Notice of damage Section 550Lapse of claims to compensation of damages Section 551Divergent agreements Section 552Carrier’s lien

Subchapter 1 · Chartering a ship

Section 553Bareboat charter contract Section 554Turning over and returning the ship; maintenance Section 555Safeguarding the owner’s rights Section 556Termination

Subchapter 2 · Time charter

Section 557Time charter contract Section 558Time charter party Section 559Provision of the ship Section 560Maintenance of the ship in contractually agreed condition Section 561Use of the ship Section 562Notification obligations Section 563Loading and discharge of goods Section 564Costs of operating the ship Section 565Hire Section 566Owner’s lien Section 567Breach of duties Section 568Right of retention Section 569Return of the ship

Subchapter 1 · Collision of ship

Section 570Obligation to compensate for damages Section 571Contributory fault Section 572Damage without collision Section 573Involvement of an inland waterway vessel

Subchapter 2 · Salvage

Section 574Duties of the salvor and of other persons Section 575Prevention or minimisation of damages to the environment Section 576Right to a reward Section 577Amount of the salvage reward Section 578Special compensation Section 579Exclusion of a claim to remuneration Section 580Salvor’s misconduct Section 581Claim to apportionment Section 582Plurality of salvors Section 583Saving human life Section 584Conclusion of a salvage contract and retroactive review of its content by a court Section 585Lien, right of retention Section 586Ranking order of several liens Section 587Provision of security

Subchapter 3 · General average

Section 588Preservation from common peril Section 589Fault or neglect of a party to the adventure or of a third party Section 590Assessment of the average Section 591Contribution in general average Section 592General average disbursements Section 593Rights of maritime lienors Section 594Lien of the parties entitled to a general average disbursement; prohibition of delivery Section 595Settlement of the average

Chapter 5 · Maritime lienor

Section 596Secured claims Section 597Lien held by maritime lienors Section 598Object of the lien held by the maritime lienors Section 599Lapse of the claim Section 600Lapse by passage of time Section 601Satisfaction of the maritime lienor Section 602Precedence of the liens held by maritime lienors Section 603General ranking of liens held by maritime lienors Section 604Ranking order of liens listed under the same number

Chapter 6 · Statutory prescription period

Section 605One-year statutory prescription period Section 606Two-year statutory prescription period Section 607Commencement of statutory prescription periods Section 608Extension of the prescription period Section 609Arrangements as to the prescription period Section 610Concurrent claims

Chapter 7 · General limitation of liability

Section 611Convention as to the limitation of liability Section 612Limitation of liability for claims arising from the removal of a wreck Section 613Limitation of liability for small ships Section 614Limitation of liability for damages to harbours and waterways Section 615Limitation of the pilot’s liability Section 616Conduct barring limitation of liability Section 617Procedure for limiting liability

Chapter 8 · Procedural Rules

Section 618Injunction by a salvor Section 619Service of documents to the master or skipper of a ship

Book 1 · Commercial entities › Division 1 · Merchants › Section 4

Section 4

(repealed)

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EU legislation sourced from the Official Journal of the European Union via EUR-Lex; German federal statutes sourced from gesetze-im-internet.de (Bundesministerium der Justiz / Bundesamt für Justiz). eucite is an independent reference index, not an official publication of either — always confirm against the official source for legal purposes.