German Society for Law and Informatics

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Recht und Informatik e.V. (DGRI) — also referred to as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Informationstechnik und Recht — is a German registered voluntary association founded in 1992. It addresses questions at the intersection of informatics, law and business, and promotes cooperation between teaching, research and practice in three core fields: legal questions of information processing, the use of information technology in the legal system, and the creation of legal frameworks for information technology. Its target audience comprises researchers and practitioners working in this field, with whom the DGRI seeks to exchange knowledge, experience and opinions. The insights gained are used to inform members and other interested parties, and, where possible and appropriate, to support legislation and jurisprudence. The association's substantive work is carried out in specialist committees (Fachausschüsse), of which there are currently nine: Legal Tech; Data Protection and Data Economy; Social Media and Intermediaries on the Internet; Cloud Computing and Outsourcing; AI, IoT and Blockchain; Software Protection; Digital Compliance; Telecommunications and IT Security; Arbitration; and Corporate Lawyers. These committees prepare and conduct internal and public events, and the DGRI also organises public conferences, workshops and similar events on current topics in its field. It is active in promoting young academics and career entrants through special events and, in particular, by financing awards of the Deutsche Stiftung für Recht und Informatik for outstanding academic achievements. The DGRI also cultivates intensive personal exchange among its members in a friendly atmosphere. The DGRI has around 800 members. Its chair is Herbert Zech, professor at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and director of the Weizenbaum Institute; deputy chairs are Axel Funk and Caroline Gaul; and the managing director is Romy Fiolka. An advisory board (Beirat) chaired by Dr. Anselm Brandi-Dohrn includes representatives from law firms, universities, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal Court of Justice, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Google Germany and the Higher Regional Court of Celle. The association cooperates with Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt, including on the journal Computer und Recht and on IT law events such as the Kölner Tage. It regularly holds congresses and seminars, including the annual D-A-CH conference (formerly the three-country meeting) and its annual conference (Jahrestagung). The 31st D-A-CH conference took place from 4 to 6 June 2025 in Munich, and the 2025 annual conference from 12 to 14 November 2025 in Berlin. Upcoming events include the 2026 annual conference in Berlin under the theme "Freiheit im Digitalen", marking 50 years of DGRI, and the 2027 D-A-CH conference in Vienna.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Recht und Informatik e.V. (DGRI) was founded in 1992 as a registered voluntary association. It emerged in a period when information technology was rapidly entering legal practice and the need for a dedicated forum at the intersection of informatics, law and business became apparent. From its inception, the association pursued three core fields: legal questions of information processing, the use of information technology in the legal system, and the creation of legal frameworks for information technology. It also comments on legislative projects and legal policy issues affecting its field. Over the decades, the DGRI developed a structure centred on specialist committees (Fachausschüsse), which carry out the association's substantive work. These committees have addressed evolving topics, from software protection and data protection to cloud computing, social media and intermediaries, AI, IoT, blockchain, digital compliance, telecommunications and IT security, and arbitration. The committee on Legal Tech, for example, now deals with the transformation of legal work through artificial intelligence and large language models such as ChatGPT. The association has also built a public profile through conferences and publications. It cooperates with Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt, including on the journal Computer und Recht and on IT law events such as the Kölner Tage. Its regular events include the D-A-CH conference (formerly the three-country meeting) and the annual conference (Jahrestagung). The 31st D-A-CH conference took place from 4 to 6 June 2025 in Munich, and the 2025 annual conference from 12 to 14 November 2025 in Berlin. The 2026 annual conference is scheduled for 12–13 November 2026 in Berlin under the theme "Freiheit im Digitalen" and is described as marking 50 years of DGRI, while the 2027 D-A-CH conference is planned for Vienna. Leadership has included Herbert Zech as chair, Axel Funk and Caroline Gaul as deputy chairs, and Romy Fiolka as managing director. The advisory board, chaired by Dr. Anselm Brandi-Dohrn with Prof. Dr. Indra Spiecker genannt Döhmann as deputy, brings together representatives from law firms, universities, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal Court of Justice, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Google Germany and the Higher Regional Court of Celle. The DGRI has around 800 members and also promotes young academics and career entrants, notably by financing awards of the Deutsche Stiftung für Recht und Informatik for outstanding academic achievements.

• 2026

  Annual conference scheduled for 12–13 November 2026 in Berlin, marking 50 years of DGRI.

• 2025

  31st D-A-CH conference held 4–6 June 2025 in Munich.

• 2025

  Annual conference held 12–14 November 2025 in Berlin.

• 1992

  DGRI founded as a registered voluntary association.

• D-A-CH conference scheduled for 10–11 June 2027 in Vienna.

Non-profit professional and scientific association at the interface of informatics, law and business, informing members and supporting legislation and jurisprudence.

• Fachausschuss Legal Tech

  Deals with the transformation of legal work through AI and large language models.

• Fachausschuss Datenschutz und Datenökonomie

  Covers EU data protection regulation, cloud computing and legislative projects.

• Fachausschuss Social Media und Intermediäre im Internet

  Focuses on copyright and media law questions relating to internet intermediaries.

• Fachausschuss Cloud Computing, Outsourcing

  Addresses legal aspects of cloud computing and outsourcing.

• Fachausschuss KI, IoT, Blockchain

  Deals with legal aspects and challenges of AI, IoT and blockchain.

• Fachausschuss Softwareschutz

  Covers copyright, performance, patent and know-how protection and licensing of software and databases.

• Fachausschuss Digital Compliance

  Addresses compliance through digitalisation, 'Compliance by Design' and 'Compliance by Default'.

• Fachausschuss Telekommunikation und IT-Sicherheit

  Covers telecommunications market and IT security law, including net neutrality, 5G/6G and KRITIS.

• Fachausschuss Schlichtung

  Deals with alternative dispute resolution in IT, from arbitration to mediation.

• Fachausschuss Unternehmensjuristinnen und Unternehmensjuristen

  Addresses current IT law questions and case scenarios relevant to corporate lawyers.

1. 1DGRI official websitedgri.de
2. 2Über uns - DGRIdgri.de
3. 3Beirat - DGRIdgri.de
4. 4Vorstand - DGRIdgri.de
5. 5Deutsche Gesellschaft für Recht und Informatik – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Deutsche Gesellschaft für Informationstechnik und Recht – Wikidatawikidata.org