Examination (2026 Edition)German Civil Code
– General Part (BGB Allgemeiner Teil
Question 1
According to the structure of the German Civil Code,
a Willenserklärung (declaration of intent) primarily serves to:
A. Create criminal liability
B. Establish, modify, or terminate legal consequences through a
legally relevant expression of will
C. Establish constitutional rights
D. Create administrative regulations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A declaration of intent is the central element of every
legal transaction under the BGB. It is directed toward producing
legal consequences recognized by private law.
Question 2
,Which of the following elements belongs to the objective
component of a declaration of intent?
A. Business motive
B. Economic expectation
C. External manifestation of intent
D. Personal preference
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The declaration must be objectively recognizable to
the outside world. Pure internal intentions without external
manifestation generally have no legal significance.
Question 3
A legally effective contract generally requires:
A. Two identical court judgments
B. Offer and acceptance
C. Registration by a notary in every case
D. Administrative approval
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Under §§145 ff. BGB, contracts are generally
concluded through corresponding declarations consisting of an
offer and an acceptance.
Question 4
Which principle best characterizes the concept of private
autonomy (Privatautonomie)?
A. The government determines all contractual terms.
B. Individuals are generally free to regulate their legal
relationships.
C. Courts create contracts for private citizens.
D. Every legal transaction requires judicial approval.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Private autonomy is one of the fundamental
principles of German civil law, allowing individuals to shape
their legal relationships within statutory limits.
Question 5
A person who has not yet reached the statutory age of seven
years is generally:
, A. Fully legally competent
B. Partially legally competent
C. Legally incapable of contracting
D. Only liable in commercial transactions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Children below the statutory age threshold are
generally incapable of making legally effective declarations of
intent on their own.
Question 6
A minor between seven and eighteen years of age is generally:
A. Fully competent
B. Absolutely incapable
C. Possessing limited legal capacity
D. Automatically represented by every adult
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Minors between seven and eighteen generally
possess limited legal capacity and often require parental
consent for legal transactions.