Die systemkonforme Auslegung

Interpretation in conformity with the legal system is the phenomenon of interpreting legal norms using the law which has a higher ranking as a criterion. Against the backdrop of the European harmonization of law, this specific interpretation plays a large role in the legal decisions made by the European Court of Justice and the highest German courts. This applies particularly for the interpretation which conforms to directives and Community law. Interpretation in conformity with the system had a special position during the reorganization of the German legal system according to National Socialist guidelines after 1933 as well as in the light of the German Basic Law after 1949. Nevertheless, up to now there has not been a firm methodological basis for this. Clemens Höpfner studies the complete phenomenon of interpretation in conformity with the system for the first time. In doing so, he creates the theoretical foundation necessary to recognize interpretation in conformity with the system as an independent methodological category and to make it practicable.