The committee is in particular responsible for considering the following issues:
Private law
- The Civil Code
- Consumer protection law
- Private law matters pertaining to unification
- Private international law
Criminal law, administration of penal justice
- The Criminal Code
- Criminal procedure and law of prison administration
- Regulatory offences
Public law
- The Basic Law
- Constitutional rules governing public finances
- Jurisdiction of the Constitutional Court
The administration of justice
- Law on judges, notaries, lawyers and judicial officers
- Procedural law
- Law of enforcement of civil judgements
- Law pertaining to registries, insolvency, notarial or judicial recording of transactions
Mercantile and business law
- Company, accounting and copyright law
The Committee on Legal Affairs is responsible for examining bills that have been drawn up under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Justice or one of the state Ministries of Justice, or that fall within their sphere of competence. The committee is involved in discussions of other bills too if the areas mentioned above are also affected.
The Committee on Legal Affairs also always checks that the bills are in keeping with the constitution. In addition, the Committee on Legal Affairs is responsible for examining all amendments to the Basic Law.