Zivilsenat

This term German term "Senat" is translated inconsistently as either "division", "chamber", "panel" or in some cases as "senate". The reasons for this inconsistency can be attributed to the old "apples" and "oranges" problem and the fact that such organizational indicators are classic system-bound problems - each country has its own unique approach to organizing its judiciary. In Germany, the term "Senat" refers to the unit of the court that hears and administers certain subject matter areas, and not to the stage of the judicial process (like pre-trial, trial, motions, or appeals). In the United States, at least, each judiciary has its own way of organizing its work and responsibilities. The term "division", as used in various jurisdictions and in international settings (e.g., the International Criminal Court or ICC), usually refer to different phases of a case (e.g., pre-trial, trial and appeals).