The client's revenge for an unfavourable outcome of the proceedings – regardless of whether the lawyer was responsible for this – often takes the form of a subsequent Google review. In the case now decided by the Bamberg Higher Regional Court (14 June 2024, 6 U 17/24e), the case did not even go to trial because the client did not pay the necessary advance. Nevertheless, the lawyer received the rating “not particularly capable”.
The colleague considered this – quite understandably – to be an unobjective defamatory review with an insulting character. Unfortunately, the Higher Regional Court judges disagreed and considered the review to be covered by freedom of expression.
