147. What is the work of a judge in Germany?

Answer options

1. To govern Germany
2. To administer justice
3. To draft plans
4. To enact laws

Explanation

Under the principle of separation of powers (Article 20(2) Basic Law), the judiciary is an independent branch entrusted to the courts. Judges administer justice: they adjudicate specific cases independently (Article 97 GG) and are bound by statute and law (Article 20(3) GG), thereby guaranteeing effective legal protection (Article 19(4) GG). Legislation is the task of the legislature and governing that of the executive; judicial development of the law remains a case-bound concretization rather than law-making. Even the Federal Constitutional Court is not a co-legislator, acting at most as a negative legislator by invalidating norms.