At Taylor Wessing Germany (“TW”), we firmly believe that responsible and transparent lobbying is an important and legitimate building block of policy-making. It gives those who feel the impact of political decisions an opportunity to express their needs and wishes to the decision-makers. Lobbying then helps the decision-makers to tailor their decisions to the needs of those affected.
TW is therefore happy to support its clients with the process of responsible lobbying. In this context and within the scope of their activities, the professionals working at TW are already obliged in their professional capacity to act openly, transparently, honestly, with integrity and within the framework of the applicable law.
This Code of Conduct explicitly reiterates the above principles and ensures that TW fulfils its obligations under Section 5 (1) of the Act on the Introduction of a Register on Lobbying at the German Federal Parliament and the Federal Government (Lobby Register Act).
Openness
TW does not act in secret when carrying out its lobbying work. Accordingly, TW acts exclusively on the basis of a written mandate and remuneration agreement.
Transparency
Where legal policy initiatives are communicated by TW and addressed to officials, the clients for whom TW is acting are clearly named. The identity and concerns of both the client and TW are disclosed. In addition, reference is made to any entry in the Lobby Register and to this Code of Conduct when contact is made with officials for the first time.
Honesty
TW is committed to honest dealings with clients, political institutions, legislative and law enforcement bodies and political decision-makers. This also applies to the media, unless the lawyer’s duty of confidentiality requires otherwise. Therefore, in the context of the representation of interests, accurate information about our firm and our mandate is always provided.
Integrity
The professionals working for TW and all employees are bound by the professional law (in particular BRAO and BORA) and the legal system of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. The acceptance of mandates with conflicting interests is therefore excluded after examination.
TW shall not exert unfair, improper, inappropriate, discriminatory or unlawful influence on any Member of Parliament or public official in articulating and pursuing the interests of clients.
Fees are paid on an hourly basis plus taxes and additional expenses, depending on the assignment of the legal professionals and staff. Contingency fees are excluded.
The fees are based in each case on the written mandate and remuneration agreement concluded in advance.
Confidential information that TW receives in the course of its lobbying work will only be used or passed on in a permissible manner and in a manner individually agreed with the clients or officials.
Compliance Management
The professionals at TW also practice an ethically and culturally responsible profession beyond their statutory and/or professional requirements. Should professionals nevertheless observe behaviour in individual cases that does not comply with such standards, they can contact their supervisor or the management in confidence at any time.
Scope of Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct shall enter into force on 1 January 2022. It applies to all mandates accepted by TW for communication and representation of interests in the context of legal policy initiatives in relation to the German Bundestag, the Federal Government and the European Parliament. It also applies in relation to the federal state parliaments as well as public administration at all levels.
It applies personally to all TW employees at the five locations in Germany - Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich.
Communication of Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct shall be made available to all partners and employees at TW.
This Code of Conduct is publicly available on our website.
Düsseldorf, December 2021