German Government Faces Mounting Legal Costs in Mask Procurement Disputes

Despite spending €73 million on legal fees, the Health Ministry struggles with ongoing lawsuits over pandemic-era mask contracts.

The German Health Ministry is embroiled in approximately 70 legal cases related to mask purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The total disputed amount in these cases is around €2.3 billion, with additional costs potentially arising from interest and legal fees.
The ministry has already spent €73 million on external legal counsel but has seen limited success in court so far.
Recent defeats in the Cologne Higher Regional Court have prompted the ministry to seek intervention from the Federal Court of Justice.
Minister Karl Lauterbach has appointed a special envoy to review the procurement processes and legal strategies employed by his predecessor.