News: More than just the law: Why the legislature owes the sovereign an explanation

New publication: Michael Köckeis, a student assistant at the Chair of Public Law, Commercial and Business Law, and Administrative Sciences, has published his first essay. The article, published in the latest issue of the Zeitschrift für Gesetzgebung (ZG 2026, 67–83), is based on the seminar paper Köckeis wrote during the winter semester 2024/2025 on the topic ‘Does the legislator owe more than the law? On the question of duties to state reasons in the legislative process’, which won the Best Paper Award. In his article, the author develops a conceptual and functional understanding of the legislative explanatory memorandum grounded in the Basic Law, critically examines the case law of the Federal Constitutional Court, examines possible obligations to provide justification, particularly against the backdrop of applicable constitutional principles, and proposes a reform designed to amend the Rules of Procedure and thus the working methods of the Bundestag. The conclusion: The legislature owes more than the mere law – it is also obliged to provide a formal justification. You can view the article in the juris database (external link, opens in a new window) (subject to a fee). You have free access via the University of Regensburg’s network (external link, opens in a new window). Professor Hartmann and the Chair are delighted to have such a dedicated colleague as part of their team.