Linklaters has achieved top rankings in the Chambers UK Legal Guide 2026 with the highest number of UK-wide Band 1 department and individual recognitions.

Chambers UK ranks the legal market's best law firms and lawyers based on independent market research, interviewing both lawyers and their clients.

In the latest edition, Linklaters had a record year with 59 practice rankings, including 25 Band 1 rankings, and 198 lawyer recognitions.

This follows Linklaters’ strong performance in Legal 500 UK, where it also secured 59 practice rankings and 168 individual lawyer listings.

Client testimonials highlighted Linklaters’ “exceptional client service”, “deep bench strength”, “outstanding commercial insight”, and the firm’s “depth and quality of expertise”, particularly in dealing with “complex matters”.

Chambers UK: Band 1 rankings

• Capital Markets: Debt
• Capital Markets: Derivatives
• Capital Markets: Equity
• Capital Markets: Securitisation
• Capital Markets: Structured Products
• Competition Law
• Competition Law: Litigation
• Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above
• Corporate Finance: Borrowers: Big Ticket
• Corporate Finance: Lenders: Big Ticket
• Data Protection & Information Law
• Employee Share Schemes & Incentives
• Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International
• Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas
• Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy
• Environment & Climate Change
• Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (Corporates)
• Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory
• Investment Funds: Real Estate
• Pensions
• Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
• Projects: Mainly Domestic
• Projects: Mainly International
• Real Estate Finance
• Restructuring/Insolvency

Legal 500: Band 1 rankings

• Acquisition finance
• Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
• Banking litigation: investment and retail
• Corporate restructuring & insolvency
• Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
• Debt capital markets
• Derivatives and structured products
• Emerging markets
• Employee share schemes
• Employers
• Environment
• Equity capital markets: mid-large cap
• ESG
• EU and competition
• Financial services: contentious
• Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
• Fintech: corporate and commercial
• Fintech: regulatory
• Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing
• Infrastructure: Project finance and development
• IT and telecoms
• Life sciences and healthcare
• M&A: Upper Mid-Market and Premium Deals, £750m+
• Mining and minerals
• Oil and gas
• Pensions (non-contentious)
• Pensions: dispute resolution
• Power (including electricity and nuclear)
• Real estate funds
• Renewables
• Securitisation
• Water

Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España
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Haftung von Luftfahrtunternehmen: Haustiere sind nicht vom Begriff "Reisegepäck" ausgenommen

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Ein Blitzeinschlag in ein Flugzeug kann einen außergewöhnlichen Umstand darstellen

Linklaters has been recognised as a leading employer for social mobility in the UK’s Social Mobility Employer Index for the ninth year running.

The firm ranked third in this year’s Index, up from sixth last year, reflecting the firm’s ongoing commitment to promoting social mobility, and supporting the development and progression of talented people from all backgrounds.

The Social Mobility Employer Index, developed by the Social Mobility Foundation, assesses the steps employers across all UK industries are taking to create inclusive workplaces.

Simon Branigan, Executive Committee Champion for Social Mobility at Linklaters, said: “At Linklaters, we’re very proud of our commitment to building diverse and high-performing teams. We recruit the best talent from all backgrounds and support an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best.”

Linklaters has been recognised as a leading employer for social mobility in the UK’s Social Mobility Employer Index for the ninth year running.

The firm ranked third in this year’s Index, up from sixth last year, reflecting the firm’s ongoing commitment to promoting social mobility, and supporting the development and progression of talented people from all backgrounds.

The Social Mobility Employer Index, developed by the Social Mobility Foundation, assesses the steps employers across all UK industries are taking to create inclusive workplaces.

Simon Branigan, Executive Committee Champion for Social Mobility at Linklaters, said: “At Linklaters, we’re very proud of our commitment to building diverse and high-performing teams. We recruit the best talent from all backgrounds and support an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best.”

Linklaters has announced that it has sponsored the Women of the Year Awards 2025 for the fourth year in a row, celebrating the achievements of exceptional women across the globe.

The event brought together 450 remarkable women, each recognised for making significant contributions within their industries and communities.

Linklaters’ Pioneering Woman of the Year Award was presented to Jaz Rabadia MBE, sustainability leader and advocate for women in STEM by Aedamar Comiskey, Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair.

Aedamar Comiskey commented: “A terrific afternoon celebrating many talented and inspiring women. I was delighted to present Jaz with the Linklaters’ Pioneering Woman of the Year Award. A standout winner not only recognised for her impressive contribution to sustainability but also as a transformational leader inspiring more women to pursue their ambitions in STEM.” On receiving the Award, Jaz Rabadia MBE said: “I feel so honoured to be recognised as Pioneering Woman of the Year. I never set out to win awards, I set out to make things better and push for a more sustainable future. My journey has taken me from supermarket shop floors to coffee shops and all the way to corporate boardrooms. Along the way, I’ve seen how sustainability can transform not just businesses, but lives.

This recognition isn’t just about my work in the sector, it’s about showing others what’s possible when passion meets purpose. I hope it inspires more women to step into STEM and sustainability careers, knowing that their skills and leadership are urgently needed to shape a better future.”

Linklaters has announced that it has sponsored the Women of the Year Awards 2025 for the fourth year in a row, celebrating the achievements of exceptional women across the globe.

The event brought together 450 remarkable women, each recognised for making significant contributions within their industries and communities.

Linklaters’ Pioneering Woman of the Year Award was presented to Jaz Rabadia MBE, sustainability leader and advocate for women in STEM by Aedamar Comiskey, Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair.

Aedamar Comiskey commented: “A terrific afternoon celebrating many talented and inspiring women. I was delighted to present Jaz with the Linklaters’ Pioneering Woman of the Year Award. A standout winner not only recognised for her impressive contribution to sustainability but also as a transformational leader inspiring more women to pursue their ambitions in STEM.” On receiving the Award, Jaz Rabadia MBE said: “I feel so honoured to be recognised as Pioneering Woman of the Year. I never set out to win awards, I set out to make things better and push for a more sustainable future. My journey has taken me from supermarket shop floors to coffee shops and all the way to corporate boardrooms. Along the way, I’ve seen how sustainability can transform not just businesses, but lives.

This recognition isn’t just about my work in the sector, it’s about showing others what’s possible when passion meets purpose. I hope it inspires more women to step into STEM and sustainability careers, knowing that their skills and leadership are urgently needed to shape a better future.”

Kommission/ Griechenland
Vertragsverletzung eines Mitgliedstaats: Da Griechenland einem Urteil des Gerichtshofs aus dem Jahr 2014 nicht nachgekommen ist, werden finanzielle Sanktionen gegen Griechenland verhängt

Claudia Parzani, Senior Advisor at Linklaters, Chair of Borsa Italiana (part of Euronext Group), and Senior Advisor at Brunswick, has been included, for the ninth consecutive year, in the Heroes Role Model ranking promoted by Involve with the support of YouTube. 

This recognition celebrates professionals around the globe for their commitment to supporting inclusivity in the workplace. In the Heroes 100 Executives Role Model category, Claudia Parzani is recognised among women in top roles who are using their influence to advance and develop a new workplace culture. 

Commenting on this recognition, Claudia stated:

“To build the future we dream of, we need all the power of human ingenuity: new energy, bold ideas, and authentic voices. This will enable us to create stronger organisations and a more vibrant society, as well as enrich companies, communities, and local areas.”

Claudia Parzani, Senior Advisor at Linklaters, Chair of Borsa Italiana (part of Euronext Group), and Senior Advisor at Brunswick, has been included, for the ninth consecutive year, in the Heroes Role Model ranking promoted by Involve with the support of YouTube. 

This recognition celebrates professionals around the globe for their commitment to supporting inclusivity in the workplace. In the Heroes 100 Executives Role Model category, Claudia Parzani is recognised among women in top roles who are using their influence to advance and develop a new workplace culture. 

Commenting on this recognition, Claudia stated:

“To build the future we dream of, we need all the power of human ingenuity: new energy, bold ideas, and authentic voices. This will enable us to create stronger organisations and a more vibrant society, as well as enrich companies, communities, and local areas.”

Linklaters has today announced the firmwide implementation of Legora, a market-leading Generative AI platform tailored for legal professionals.

Embedding Legora across all 30 offices is the latest step in Linklaters’ strategy to support the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their most complex, cross-border mandates.

Legora is designed to simplify workflows, accelerate research, drafting and reviewing at scale, and enhance the market-leading strategic advice that Linklaters provides. It builds on Linklaters’ suite of Gen AI and technology tools, including proprietary chatbot Laila, online due diligence platform ReportIQ, and CreateiQ 2.0, the firm’s contract lifecycle management platform.

Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner, said: “More than equipping our teams with the best tools in an AI-enabled world, our partnership with Legora will further strengthen our capabilities and enhance the support we provide our global clients. We are already using it alongside our suite of Gen AI tools and we are energised by how our teams are harnessing it to deliver for our clients on their most complex, cross-border mandates.” Max Junestrand, CEO of Legora, added: "We’re proud to partner with Linklaters on this next phase of their innovation journey. We look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with their market-leading team of lawyers and supporting them in delivering for their global clients."

Linklaters has today announced the firmwide implementation of Legora, a market-leading Generative AI platform tailored for legal professionals.

Embedding Legora across all 30 offices is the latest step in Linklaters’ strategy to support the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their most complex, cross-border mandates.

Legora is designed to simplify workflows, accelerate research, drafting and reviewing at scale, and enhance the market-leading strategic advice that Linklaters provides. It builds on Linklaters’ suite of Gen AI and technology tools, including proprietary chatbot Laila, online due diligence platform ReportIQ, and CreateiQ 2.0, the firm’s contract lifecycle management platform.

Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner, said: “More than equipping our teams with the best tools in an AI-enabled world, our partnership with Legora will further strengthen our capabilities and enhance the support we provide our global clients. We are already using it alongside our suite of Gen AI tools and we are energised by how our teams are harnessing it to deliver for our clients on their most complex, cross-border mandates.” Max Junestrand, CEO of Legora, added: "We’re proud to partner with Linklaters on this next phase of their innovation journey. We look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with their market-leading team of lawyers and supporting them in delivering for their global clients."

Linklaters has hired leading M&A dealmaker, Massimiliano Nitti, as a partner and Head of Corporate in Italy, further strengthening the firm’s global platform.

Massimiliano advises corporate and private capital clients on their most strategic M&A mandates, acting for some of the largest private equity houses and corporates operating in Italy.

He has extensive experience in complex corporate and post-M&A litigation and arbitration proceedings in Italy and across Europe, and is recognised as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 in Corporate, Commercial and M&A, and Private Equity.

Massimiliano joins from Studio Chiomenti, one of the leading Italian firms, where he has held various managerial and organisational roles, including, more recently, as co-head of the Private M&A practice.

Aedamar Comiskey, Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair, commented: “Massimiliano is another terrific addition to our global platform. He’s a leader in the Italian M&A market and working alongside our top tier global practice will help us deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”Roberto Egori, Linklaters’ National Managing Partner in Italy, added: “We are delighted to welcome Massimiliano to Linklaters. He significantly strengthens our offering in Milan and enhances the support we can provide the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their biggest and most complex, cross-border matters. Massimiliano’s hire confirms our ambition to become the leading global firm operating in Italy.”Simon Branigan, Global Head of Corporate, stated: “Italy is one of the most active M&A markets in Europe and we’ve had increasing demand from global clients for our advice in the market. Massimiliano transforms our ability to deliver more deals in Italy for corporate and private capital clients and reinforces our global platform.” Massimiliano Nitti, Partner and Head of Corporate at Linklaters Italy, commented: "I am excited to lead the Corporate department in Italy as the market evolves rapidly. Joining Linklaters offers the chance to contribute my experience to the leading global platform, help develop a talented team, and provide clients with innovative solutions for their most complex transactions in Italy and internationally."

Massimiliano follows a number of recent hires across Linklaters’ global Corporate platform, including Kristina Trauger, Vinita Sithapathy, and Elena Rubinov in New York, Christine Xu in Greater China, Richard Spedding in London, and Hubert Segain in Paris.

Linklaters’ Corporate practice is ranked Band 1 by Chambers in Corporate/M&A Global: Multi-Jurisdictional 2025.

Linklaters has hired leading M&A dealmaker, Massimiliano Nitti, as a partner and Head of Corporate in Italy, further strengthening the firm’s global platform.

Massimiliano advises corporate and private capital clients on their most strategic M&A mandates, acting for some of the largest private equity houses and corporates operating in Italy.

He has extensive experience in complex corporate and post-M&A litigation and arbitration proceedings in Italy and across Europe, and is recognised as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 in Corporate, Commercial and M&A, and Private Equity.

Massimiliano joins from Studio Chiomenti, one of the leading Italian firms, where he has held various managerial and organisational roles, including, more recently, as co-head of the Private M&A practice.

Aedamar Comiskey, Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair, commented: “Massimiliano is another terrific addition to our global platform. He’s a leader in the Italian M&A market and working alongside our top tier global practice will help us deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”Roberto Egori, Linklaters’ National Managing Partner in Italy, added: “We are delighted to welcome Massimiliano to Linklaters. He significantly strengthens our offering in Milan and enhances the support we can provide the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their biggest and most complex, cross-border matters. Massimiliano’s hire confirms our ambition to become the leading global firm operating in Italy.”Simon Branigan, Global Head of Corporate, stated: “Italy is one of the most active M&A markets in Europe and we’ve had increasing demand from global clients for our advice in the market. Massimiliano transforms our ability to deliver more deals in Italy for corporate and private capital clients and reinforces our global platform.” Massimiliano Nitti, Partner and Head of Corporate at Linklaters Italy, commented: "I am excited to lead the Corporate department in Italy as the market evolves rapidly. Joining Linklaters offers the chance to contribute my experience to the leading global platform, help develop a talented team, and provide clients with innovative solutions for their most complex transactions in Italy and internationally."

Massimiliano follows a number of recent hires across Linklaters’ global Corporate platform, including Kristina Trauger, Vinita Sithapathy, and Elena Rubinov in New York, Christine Xu in Greater China, Richard Spedding in London, and Hubert Segain in Paris.

Linklaters’ Corporate practice is ranked Band 1 by Chambers in Corporate/M&A Global: Multi-Jurisdictional 2025.

Linklaters has announced the appointment of Lynne Burns as Chief People Officer, with effect from 15 September.

Lynne has more than 30 years’ experience as a leader in HR, talent and transformation. She joins from HSBC where she held a number of senior HR roles, most recently serving as Global Head of Talent. Prior to HSBC, Lynne held senior HR and Commercial positions at Royal Bank of Scotland.

Lynne will lead Linklaters’ people function globally from London and work closely with Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair, Aedamar Comiskey, and Firmwide Managing Partner, Paul Lewis.

Aedamar Comiskey, Senior Partner and Chair at Linklaters, commented:

“We are thrilled to have Lynne on board. Her deep experience in talent development and transformation will be invaluable as we build on the terrific momentum we have as a firm, supporting our high-performing teams, and putting us in the strongest position to attract and develop the market’s top talent.”

Linklaters has announced the appointment of Lynne Burns as Chief People Officer, with effect from 15 September.

Lynne has more than 30 years’ experience as a leader in HR, talent and transformation. She joins from HSBC where she held a number of senior HR roles, most recently serving as Global Head of Talent. Prior to HSBC, Lynne held senior HR and Commercial positions at Royal Bank of Scotland.

Lynne will lead Linklaters’ people function globally from London and work closely with Linklaters’ Senior Partner and Chair, Aedamar Comiskey, and Firmwide Managing Partner, Paul Lewis.

Aedamar Comiskey, Senior Partner and Chair at Linklaters, commented:

“We are thrilled to have Lynne on board. Her deep experience in talent development and transformation will be invaluable as we build on the terrific momentum we have as a firm, supporting our high-performing teams, and putting us in the strongest position to attract and develop the market’s top talent.”

Linklaters is delighted to announce that Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations Partner Muhammad Faridi has been recognized as an Attorney of the Year finalist by The American Lawyer, honoring his remarkable impact on the U.S. legal system over the past year.
 
As President of the New York City Bar Association — one of the country’s most powerful and prestigious bar associations — Muhammad made history in 2024 as both the youngest person and the first Muslim -American to hold this role. Muhammad has led the City Bar through unprecedented challenges over the past year, including taking decisive action to uphold the rule of law and defend judicial independence nationwide. Under his leadership, the City Bar published a major report advocating for ethics reform at the U.S. Supreme Court. Muhammad also drove significant progress in state court reform, championing efforts to remove the cap on New York State Supreme Court justices to enhance court efficiency. Additionally, he established a major task force on artificial intelligence and digital technologies that has set a national standard for how the legal profession addresses the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by these rapidly evolving technologies.

In the courtroom, Muhammad has led on landmark cases over the past year. He and Baher Azmy of the Center for Constitutional Rights co-chaired a significant pro bono case where their team secured a landmark verdict finding contractor CACI Premier Technology, Inc. liable for its role in the torture of Iraqi men at Abu Ghraib prison, ordering $42 million in damages in November 2024. This case not only delivered rare accountability for post-9/11 abuses, but also set a significant legal precedent for holding private military contractors responsible for human rights violations. The team also included Bonita Robinson, now a senior associate at Linklaters, whose incisive examinations of critical witnesses were instrumental to the verdict; Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights; Michael Buchanan (co-listed with Muhammad as a finalist for the award), Andrew Haddad, Scott Kim, and Alex Mahler-Haug, of Patterson Belknap; former Patterson Belknap associates Michael Fisher and Thomas Kicak; Shereef Hadi Akeel of Akeel & Valentine PLC; Mohammed Alomari of Azimuth Legal Services PLLC; and Charles B. Molster III of the Law Offices of Charles B. Molster III PLLC. The team was also assisted by paralegals Joyce Addae and Sean O’Shea, and by project assistant Kaihan Rahimi. 

More recently, Muhammad and Linklaters Partner Diana Conner led a pro bono team representing Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) in a successful federal lawsuit against the Town of Oyster Bay, challenging discriminatory practices that hindered MOLI’s efforts to expand a mosque in Bethpage, New York. The team garnered the support of the U.S. Department of Justice and argued that the town’s newly enacted parking ordinance violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, as well as constitutional and state protections for equal treatment and religious exercise. The team secured a highly favorable settlement for MOLI, with the Town agreeing to approve MOLI’s application to expand their mosque as is, update its Town Code to address and resolve claims regarding the legality of the parking ordinance, and make a payment to MOLI totaling $3.95 million, inclusive of attorneys’ fees and costs. The team also included Linklaters Counsel Julia Long, Senior Associate Peter Vogel, and Associate Kailyn LaPorte.
 
Muhammad joined Linklaters in January 2025 as part of the addition of a preeminent 11-lawyer trial team from a leading New York litigation firm. His arrival marked a new milestone as Linklaters continues to grow its U.S. practice into a preeminent disputes and transactional powerhouse, anchored by one of the world’s strongest global legal platforms. Our nationally recognized commercial litigation and trial practice, market-leading white collar defense group, and top-tier international arbitration team operate within a 400-strong litigation, arbitration, and investigations bench across the globe. 

Linklaters is delighted to announce that Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations Partner Muhammad Faridi has been recognized as an Attorney of the Year finalist by The American Lawyer, honoring his remarkable impact on the U.S. legal system over the past year.
 
As President of the New York City Bar Association — one of the country’s most powerful and prestigious bar associations — Muhammad made history in 2024 as both the youngest person and the first Muslim -American to hold this role. Muhammad has led the City Bar through unprecedented challenges over the past year, including taking decisive action to uphold the rule of law and defend judicial independence nationwide. Under his leadership, the City Bar published a major report advocating for ethics reform at the U.S. Supreme Court. Muhammad also drove significant progress in state court reform, championing efforts to remove the cap on New York State Supreme Court justices to enhance court efficiency. Additionally, he established a major task force on artificial intelligence and digital technologies that has set a national standard for how the legal profession addresses the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by these rapidly evolving technologies.

In the courtroom, Muhammad has led on landmark cases over the past year. He and Baher Azmy of the Center for Constitutional Rights co-chaired a significant pro bono case where their team secured a landmark verdict finding contractor CACI Premier Technology, Inc. liable for its role in the torture of Iraqi men at Abu Ghraib prison, ordering $42 million in damages in November 2024. This case not only delivered rare accountability for post-9/11 abuses, but also set a significant legal precedent for holding private military contractors responsible for human rights violations. The team also included Bonita Robinson, now a senior associate at Linklaters, whose incisive examinations of critical witnesses were instrumental to the verdict; Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights; Michael Buchanan (co-listed with Muhammad as a finalist for the award), Andrew Haddad, Scott Kim, and Alex Mahler-Haug, of Patterson Belknap; former Patterson Belknap associates Michael Fisher and Thomas Kicak; Shereef Hadi Akeel of Akeel & Valentine PLC; Mohammed Alomari of Azimuth Legal Services PLLC; and Charles B. Molster III of the Law Offices of Charles B. Molster III PLLC. The team was also assisted by paralegals Joyce Addae and Sean O’Shea, and by project assistant Kaihan Rahimi. 

More recently, Muhammad and Linklaters Partner Diana Conner led a pro bono team representing Muslims on Long Island (MOLI) in a successful federal lawsuit against the Town of Oyster Bay, challenging discriminatory practices that hindered MOLI’s efforts to expand a mosque in Bethpage, New York. The team garnered the support of the U.S. Department of Justice and argued that the town’s newly enacted parking ordinance violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, as well as constitutional and state protections for equal treatment and religious exercise. The team secured a highly favorable settlement for MOLI, with the Town agreeing to approve MOLI’s application to expand their mosque as is, update its Town Code to address and resolve claims regarding the legality of the parking ordinance, and make a payment to MOLI totaling $3.95 million, inclusive of attorneys’ fees and costs. The team also included Linklaters Counsel Julia Long, Senior Associate Peter Vogel, and Associate Kailyn LaPorte.
 
Muhammad joined Linklaters in January 2025 as part of the addition of a preeminent 11-lawyer trial team from a leading New York litigation firm. His arrival marked a new milestone as Linklaters continues to grow its U.S. practice into a preeminent disputes and transactional powerhouse, anchored by one of the world’s strongest global legal platforms. Our nationally recognized commercial litigation and trial practice, market-leading white collar defense group, and top-tier international arbitration team operate within a 400-strong litigation, arbitration, and investigations bench across the globe. 

Berlin (DAV). Das Bundesinnenministerium (BMI) will bei Änderungen nach dem Selbstbestimmungsgesetz (SBGG) die früheren Eintragungen dauerhaft speichern und bei zahlreichen behördlichen Vorgängen als Information zur Verfügung stellen lassen. Der Deutsche Anwaltverein (DAV) kritisiert diesen Vorstoß scharf: Datenschutzrechtlich und mit Blick auf das Grundrecht auf informationelle Selbstbestimmung ist dieses Vorhaben höchst bedenklich. Die Notwendigkeit ist nicht ersichtlich. Dafür erhöht sich die Gefahr einer wiederholten Diskriminierung.

In einem Verordnungsentwurf hat das BMI vorgeschlagen, im Falle von Änderungen des Vornamens und Geschlechtseintrags nach dem SBGG die früheren Eintragungen in gesonderten Datenblättern zu speichern. Diese Informationen sollen beispielsweise bei jedem Umzug gegenüber der jeweiligen Anmeldebehörde mitgeteilt werden – um Personen leichter identifizieren zu können.

„Nicht alles, was ‚praktisch‘ wäre, ist auch rechtmäßig – gerade in puncto Datensammlung“, betont Prof. Niko Härting, Vorsitzender des Ausschusses Informationsrecht sowie Vielfaltsbeauftragter des DAV. Es gelte der Grundsatz der Datensparsamkeit – vor allem bei solchen Daten, die eine hohe Gefahr in sich tragen, für Diskriminierungen missbraucht zu werden.

Die geschlechtliche Identität gehört zu den besonderen Kategorien personenbezogener Daten im Sinne der DSGVO, geschützt durch das Grundrecht auf informationelle Selbstbestimmung. Eine zu sorglose Streuung solcher Informationen kann großen Schaden anrichten. „Viele irrationale Ängste wurden in den vergangenen Jahren auf trans, inter und nicht-binäre Menschen projiziert – Ängste, die zunehmend in Hass und Gewalt umschlagen. Der Staat sollte es unbedingt vermeiden, diese vulnerable Gruppe von Menschen systematisch zu outen, wenn er seiner Schutzpflicht nachkommen möchte“, mahnt Härting.

Es fehle auch schlicht an der Notwendigkeit einer gesonderten Datensammlung und -übermittlung, die sich durch die Einführung des SBGG ergeben haben könnte, wie der DAV-Vielfaltsbeauftrage erläutert: „Änderungen von Geschlechtseinträgen und Vornamen sind bereits seit dem Inkrafttreten des damaligen Transsexuellengesetzes im Jahr 1981 möglich und Realität. An der Identifizierbarkeit dieser Personen hat es in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten nicht gemangelt – auch weil sich etwa die Steuer-ID nicht ändert.“ Ein Mehrwert durch die zusätzlichen Datenblätter und die wiederkehrende Streuung dieser Daten sei nicht erkennbar – eine Diskriminierungsgefahr umso mehr.

Auch die Regelung im Verordnungswege ist bedenklich, da es an parlamentarischer Kontrolle fehlt.

Berlin (DAV). Im Rahmen eines neuen „Sicherheitspakets“ will Bundesinnenminister Dobrindt Software für biometrische Gesichtserkennung und das umstrittene Datenanalyseprogramm „Gotham“ von Palantir für die Polizei verfügbar machen. Das Bundeskabinett soll den Entwurf heute auf den Weg bringen. Der Deutsche Anwaltverein (DAV) warnt eindringlich.

„Biometrische Gesichtserkennung ist ein schwerer Eingriff in das Recht auf informationelle Selbstbestimmung“, erklärt Rechtsanwältin Lea Voigt, Vorsitzende des Ausschusses Recht der Inneren Sicherheit des Deutschen Anwaltvereins (DAV). Die Kameras würden nicht nur gesuchte Personen erfassen, sondern alle, die den Aufnahmebereich betreten. „Wir haben schon in der Vergangenheit vor solchen Maßnahmen gewarnt. Mit ihnen wird die Möglichkeit, sich anonym im öffentlichen Raum zu bewegen, in Frage gestellt. Und zwar für alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger“, erinnert Voigt. Gesichtserkennung werde bereits in einigen Bundesländern wie Sachsen verwendet. Mangels Statistiken zum Erfolg der Technik sei der tatsächliche Nutzen jedoch kaum zu beurteilen.

Bedenken hat die Rechtsanwältin auch beim geplanten Einsatz der Analysesoftware „Gotham“ des Anbieters Palantir: „Mit den Daten, die Palantir erfasst, könnten ‚auf Knopfdruck‘ Persönlichkeitsprofile von Bürgerinnen und Bürger erstellt werden.“ Das berge erhebliche grundrechtliche Problematiken. „Noch dazu ist die Funktionsweise der Algorithmen völlig intransparent“, bemängelt Lea Voigt. Es sei kaum nachvollziehbar, auf welchen Wegen die gigantischen Datenmengen miteinander verknüpft würden.

„Immer neue Überwachungsmaßnahmen unter dem Label der ‚Sicherheit‘ zu bewerben, macht sie nicht zu sinnvollen und verhältnismäßigen Instrumenten im Rechtsstaat“, so Anwältin Voigt. Sie gibt außerdem zu bedenken, dass viele Maßnahmen sich kaum rückgängig machen lassen. Es bedürfe daher einer sorgfältigen Abwägung, bevor Befugnisse immer weiter ausgeweitet werden.