Translation of document 3435-PS

          1935 REICHSGESETZBLATT, PART I, PAGE 851

First ordinance for execution of the law
concerning procedure for decisions in legal
affairs of the Protestant Church of 3 July 1935

On the basis of Para. 4 of the law concerning
procedure for decisions in legal affairs of the
Protestant church of 26 June 1935 (Reichsgesetzbl.
1, page 774) it is hereby ordained:

                           Para. 1

(1)  The Office for Decisions in legal matters of the
  Protestant church makes decisions in a sitting of three
  members.  The president and the associates must possess
  qualifications for the judgeship or for higher
  administrative service posts.

(2)  The Reich Minister of the Interior appoints the
  members, including the president, and their alternates.

                           Para. 2

Following deferment of the case of court
officially forwards the documents to the Office
for Decisions in the Reich Ministry of the
Interior.

                           Para. 3

(1)  The Office for Decisions shall give to the parties in
  the lawsuit as well as to the State Churches which are
  involved and to the German Protestant Church and opportunity
  to be heard.  It can disregard this if it leaves the
  decision to the court (Par. 3 of the law).  It can order
  oral proceedings before the Office for Decisions.

(2)  The Office for Decisions may on its own authority
  conduct further inquires, particularly the interrogation
  under oath of witnesses and experts, to supplement the
  document laid before it.

(3)  The provisions of the rules for civil lawsuits apply,
  according to their sense, in the summoning of the parties
  and the production of evidence.  The courts as well as the
  administrative offices of the Reich and the States are
  required to provide legal and official aid to the Office for
  Decisions.

(4)  The Office for Decisions can request information and
  opinion from the highest state officials.

                           Para. 4

Fees will not be collected for the activity of the
Office for Decisions.  Witnesses and experts are
entitled to recompensation rates established by
the rules applying to the lawsuit.  Other than
that payments are not authorized.  Costs arise
from the proceedings before the Office for
Decisions do not belong to the costs of the
lawsuit.

Berlin, 3 July 1935.
                The Reich Minister of the Interior
                                             Frick