The Reich Minister and Chief of the Reich Chancellery

Dr. Lammers

The Chief of the Party Chancellery

M. Bormann

FUEHRER DECREE, 21 MARCH 1942, CONCERNING SIMPLIFICATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

1942 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 139

The defense of people and Reich necessitates smooth and quick work in the administration of justice. In order to enable the courts and the public prosecutors to continue the fulfilling of their tasks under the extraordinary conditions, I decree the following:

I

The procedure in penal cases including the administration of punishment, in civil cases and in matters of voluntary jurisdiction, is to be simplified and expedited, by eliminating all dispensable measures and by utilizing all available manpower, as far as it is compatible with the purpose of the procedure. In particular, in penal cases the enforcement of the indictment by the offended party, and the formal decree of the court opening, the trial will be eliminated; the authority of the local court in penal matters is to be enlarged, and the admissibility of writs of punishment to be extended.