Amtsgericht Köln

Cologne ranks among Germany's largest cities, yet its district court handles cases for the entire city through a single court — unlike Berlin and Hamburg, which split their district-court jurisdiction across multiple courts. This is why Cologne's Amtsgericht ranks second nationally despite serving a smaller population than both cities. Women make up 63 percent of the court's workforce.

Because the court also has jurisdiction over Cologne/Bonn Airport, airline passenger rights claims form a substantial part of its workload. In 2023 alone, roughly 37,700 such cases were filed — a volume that sets it apart from most other German district courts.

Most of the court shares the Justizzentrum in Sülz with the public prosecutor's office and the regional court. Several specialist departments — including the land registry, commercial register, probate court, and foreclosure court — are housed alongside the Court of Appeal at the historic Reichenspergerplatz courthouse in Neustadt-Nord.

Before 1879, Cologne was served by four peace courts (Friedensgerichte I–IV). On 1 October 1879 these were dissolved and the Royal Prussian District Court of Cologne was established, covering both the city and the surrounding district. By 1880 it already had eleven judgeships — the largest in its circuit — and also served as the Rhine shipping court. The court's district shrank in 1916 when the Amtsgericht Brühl was created as a separate court.