Deminor Wiki – Handelsblatt

History

Founded on 16 May 1946 in Düsseldorf by journalist Herbert Gross, Handelsblatt emerged in the post-war period to serve Germany's rebuilding economy. Friedrich Vogel subsequently became publisher, and in 1969, Georg von Holtzbrinck joined as a partner. Since 2009, the newspaper has been owned by DvH Medien GmbH, a holding company established by Dieter von Holtzbrinck.

The newspaper transitioned to tabloid format in 2009 and maintains its headquarters in Düsseldorf. Sebastian Matthes has served as Editor-in-Chief since January 2021. The Handelsblatt Media Group also publishes Wirtschaftswoche, a weekly business magazine. The publication reaches approximately 305,000 decision-makers daily, with circulation figures around 120,000 copies including digital subscriptions.

Professional Rankings and Awards

Handelsblatt publishes several influential professional rankings that shape the German legal and advisory services market. These rankings are particularly relevant to stakeholders in the litigation funding sector.

The Best Lawyers in Germany (Deutschlands Beste Anwälte) ranking, published in partnership with US publisher Best Lawyers, is now in its 17th edition. This annual peer-to-peer survey asks business lawyers to recommend colleagues across specialist areas, producing a comprehensive overview of leading legal practitioners. The ranking includes categories for "Lawyer of the Year" in specific practice areas and "Ones to Watch" for emerging talent.

In 2024, Handelsblatt launched the Best Law Firms in Germany (Deutschlands Beste Kanzleien) ranking, also in cooperation with Best Lawyers. This tiered ranking system evaluates law firms across 23 national practice areas and multiple regional markets, based on client feedback, lawyer assessments, and firm data. The ranking designates a "Law Firm of the Year" in each practice area.

Since 2016, Handelsblatt has commissioned the Hamburg-based research institute SWI Finance to conduct annual rankings of Best Tax Advisors (Beste Steuerberater) and Best Auditors (Beste Wirtschaftsprüfer). These evaluations assess over 4,000 tax advisors and 800 auditors annually, testing specialist knowledge through timed examinations.

Litigation Funding Context

Handelsblatt's professional rankings directly influence the litigation funding market in Germany. The Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms rankings identify leading practitioners in areas critical to funded disputes, including commercial litigation, arbitration, competition law, and securities litigation. Funders and claimants frequently reference these rankings when selecting legal counsel for funded matters.

Beyond its rankings, Handelsblatt's investigative journalism shapes discourse around corporate disputes and investor claims. During the Wirecard collapse of 2020—which triggered mass shareholder litigation with losses exceeding €3 billion—experts frequently cited Handelsblatt's coverage alongside the Financial Times. Similarly, the Volkswagen emissions scandal and subsequent investor proceedings received extensive coverage informing stakeholders about funded claims.

For third-party funders operating in Germany, Handelsblatt serves multiple functions. Its investigative reporting identifies potential cases warranting funded pursuit. Its coverage of regulatory developments, including the Consumer Rights Enforcement Act 2023 introducing collective actions, directly affects the funding landscape. Most significantly, its readership comprises the institutional investors, corporate counsel, and financial advisers that funders seek to reach.

Conclusion

Handelsblatt remains Germany's indispensable business publication, wielding considerable influence over corporate, financial, and legal affairs. Its professional rankings—particularly the Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms directories—serve as essential reference tools for funders, claimants, and corporate counsel selecting legal representation. Combined with its authoritative coverage of corporate disputes and regulatory developments, Handelsblatt functions as both an information source and market-shaping force within the German litigation funding ecosystem.