On 20 April 2020, the commission of experts appointed by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection presented the so-called Maurach draft for the modernization of the law on partnerships. The draft provides in particular for the introduction of a public register for civil law partnerships, the codification of a right of non-decision in partnership law and the opening up of partnerships to members of liberal professions. Partners in partnerships should keep an eye on further efforts in the legislative process to identify the resulting need for adjustment and implement it in good time.

The legislator has substantially expanded and sharpened the scope of application of the review of foreign investments. Instead of an actual threat to the public safety or order, the likeliness to affect the public safety or order is now sufficient for a prohibition. In addition, an enforcement ban has now also been introduced for transactions regarding companies active in the critical technologies and branches listed in the catalogue of section 55 para. 1 sentence 2 German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance that has been further complemented by companies active in certain fields of the health sector.