This order comes into force on...................., 1940.

Berlin,...................., February 1940

Berlin, 14 February 1940

Reference: Reich Chancellery 2573 B

Subject: Introduction of the German civil and commercial law in the Incorporated Eastern Territories

1. Comment—The Minister of Justice transmits a letter addressed to the Supreme Reich Agencies containing two drafts of the orders concerning the introduction of the German civil and commercial law in the Incorporated Eastern Territories. He asks for the submission of wishes for possible alterations. The drafts provide for the introduction of the entire civil and commercial law in the Incorporated Eastern Territories, excluding only the tenant protection law, the hereditary farm law, and the law for the clearance of debts and reduction of interest. Fundamentally, the German law as applicable in the Reich proper must be introduced; it will, however, be adapted by special supplementary regulations for the districts formerly under the jurisdiction of Austrian law.

The Minister of Justice justifies this by stating that the judges de facto already apply the German law, since they are in practice unable to interpret the Polish law. Although it was suggested during a conference of the under secretaries in the autumn of this year that more discretion should be used when introducing the German law for the present, the competent Reich governors now deem the introduction necessary; Reich Governor Greiser expressed this also in writing, as may be seen from the letter from the Minister of Justice, dated 3 February 1940, a copy of which is enclosed. The Minister of Justice asks that the introduction be effected at an early date.

No comments are necessary.