Dr. Karl Schwarz

Phone: +49 (0) 30 / 59 00 47-0

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Dr. Karl Schwarz has practised as a lawyer in Berlin since 2002 and is a partner with KNH. Since the beginning of his career, he has specialised in construction, architectural and real property law.  He advises and represents his clients both in and out of court, particularly in the framework of legal consultation during construction projects. A particular focus of his work is designing and negotiating construction and planning contracts. 

  • Humboldt University, Berlin
  • 2004 PhD 
  • 2002 to 2008 lawyer with CMS Hasche Sigle in Berlin  
  • Joined KNH in 2008

Fields of activity:

  • Architectural and engineering law
  • Private construction law
  • Property law
  • Rental law
  • Real estate transactions, including due diligence
  • Dispute settlement and arbitration

Language(s) spoken:

  • English

Memberships:

  • AIV Architekten- und Ingenieurverein zu Berlin
  • Construction law working group in the Deutscher Anwaltverein
  • Berliner Anwaltsverein
  • Bibliotheksgesellschaft der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  • Deutscher Baugerichtstag
  • DVP Deutscher Verband für Projektmanagement in der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft e. V.

Publications (a selection): 

1.       Specialist literature

  • Comments on the German Construction Contract Procedures (VOB) – construction procurement law, construction contract law, construction procedural law, 7th Edition 2020, Munich (Werner Verlag), author of the § 17 VOB/B and of §§ 650e, 650f BGB
  • Practical handbook on engineering and architectural law, 2017, joint publisher and author
  • Construction law for construction companies, 2nd Edition 2010, Munich (Werner Verlag), author of chapters 3 (contract deadlines) and 4 (obstructions)
  • Access to lawyers commissioned as notaries in light of article 12 (1) GG, Berlin (Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Berlin), 2004

2.       Essays

  • Security pursuant to §648a also for disputed supplementary claims?, BauR 2007, 1
  • Problems with construction and property owner work communities – legal nature, insolvency of one partner and security within the meaning of §648a BGB, ZfBR 2007, 636

3.       Judgment reviews

  • Braunschweig/BGH – No emergency exit concept, no delay!, IBR 2021, 400
  • OLG Hamm/BGH – No specific volume flow agreed: No liability of the TA planner!, IBR 2021, 190
  • OLG Brandenburg – No agreement on billing in accordance with HOAI: No contract!, IBR 2020, 464
  • OLG Celle – Major planning error: Architect has no redress!, IBR 2020, 186
  • OLG Koblenz – Building lived in for six months: Architect’s services accepted!, IBR 2020, 78
  • OLG Munich – Joint liability of building owner when instructing a financially weak construction company?, IBR 2019, 147
  • OLG Zweibrücken – Exceptions prove the rule!, IBR 2019, 22
  • OLG Cologne – Bedding material endangers the groundwater: Contractor liable for compensation!, IBR 2018, 254
  • OLG Oldenburg – No estimate of costs drawn up: No compensation, but a reduction!, IBR 2017, 440
  • OLG Düsseldorf – Architect must advise on various technically possible variants!, IBR 2017, 326
  • OLG Munich – The construction supervisor is (jointly) liable for lack of fire protection!, IBR 2017, 266
  • OLG Brandenburg – Approval planning utilised and paid for: Service accepted!, IBR 2017, 143
  • OLG Saarbrücken – Intended implementation unsuitable: Structural engineer must warn construction owners!, IBR 2017, 86
  • OLG Schleswig/BGH – Architect is not obliged to help with the enforcement of claims for defects!, IBR 2016, 590
  • OLG Cologne – Underground garage parking place not “properly” usable: Architect and structural engineer liable!, IBR 2016, 352
  • OLG Brandenburg – BGP construction contract: Can the client enforce defect rights even before acceptance?, IBR 2016, 210
  • OLG Munich – Contract for full-circle architecture: No partial acceptance after performance phase 8!, IBR 2015, 611
  • OLG Brandenburg – Payability of fee and reduction even without acceptance!, IBR 2015, 209
  • KG – When does the “optimisation phase” end?, IBR 2014, 675
  • OLG Saarbrücken - When do negotiations suspend the statute of limitations?, IBR 2014, 181
  • OLG Oldenburg – Surety holdback not paid out until full acceptance: Clause in Ts &Cs invalid!, IBR 2014, 84
  • OLG Zweigbrücken / BGH Malicious concealment of construction supervision error in the case of serious construction defects?, IBR 2014, 28
  • OLG Munich – No protection against water containing chloride: Planning deficient!, IBR 2013, 630
  • OLG Hamm / BGH – The contractor must provide clarifications concerning (its own) severe defects!, IBR 2013, 468
  • OLG Cologne – Execution of vapour control layer is requires particular supervision!, IBR 2013, 352
  • Zeitschriftenschau – No supplement to professional the unless determined by planning target!, IBR 2013, 132
  • OLG Munich – Billable costs: How must the construction owner provide information?, IBR 2013, 31
  • OLG Jena – Payment due date and expiry occur even without an invoice!, IBR 2012, 615
  • KG – Litigation value of third-party intervention: Is this limited to the own interests of the intervener?, IBR 2002, 650