The present volume compiles the German National Reports on Public Law that are to be presented at the XVIIth Congress of the Inter- tional Academy of Comparative Law, which will take place from 16 ¿ 22 July 2006 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. By publishing the conference report before the conference itself has taken place, we hope to enable interested scholars and practitioners to gain information in greater - tail as it will be possible during the conference, and in this way to stimulate and inspirit the overall discussion. The Congress, like its predecessors, will bring together academics and practitioners from all over the world and thus offer an excellent opportunity for discussion and comparison on a wide range of current and interesting issues. The articles of this volume map out the current situation and doctrinal ramifications of a specific comparative project, as designed by the C- gress organisers. Each contributor provides both a full picture of the subject area and sets out his or her view on the topic, which will, given our experiences from the previous conferences, stimulate and enrich the discussions at this year¿s conference. This volume contains eight reports focussing on specific topics of G- man Public Law and two dealing with questions of European Consti- tional Law.
