Once you have finished the first legal state examination, you often want to know where your papers went and how the marks were reached. In North Rhine-Westphalia there is a fixed procedure at the state examination office (Landesjustizprüfungsamt, LJPA). This guide explains how to request inspection of your papers, which deadlines apply and when you can use them.
Short answer: In North Rhine-Westphalia you can request your examination papers either as copies by email, which the page lists as free, or inspect them in Düsseldorf. You must apply for either option within one month of the final examination decision. The responsible body is the state examination office (LJPA). The details come from the undated LJPA NRW page (accessed November 2026) and apply to North Rhine-Westphalia only. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- The deadline for both options is one month and runs from the final examination decision.
- You request copies by email using an application form, which the page lists as free of charge.
- Inspection on site is possible once a month, from 10:00 until at most 12:30.
- If you choose on-site inspection, copies can only be requested after that appointment.
- For on-site inspection, the provisions of the North Rhine-Westphalian law on legal training (JAG NRW) apply.
- The rules are state-specific. Other states apply their own procedures.
When can you apply for inspection?
The page of the state examination office provides for inspection only after the final examination decision. That decision follows the oral examination or, if you have not passed, the notice of failure. The one-month deadline runs from this point. Note the date of the notice, because the month does not begin at the end of the written examinations.
Which ways of inspecting are there?
The page names two ways, which differ clearly in effort and procedure. The table sets them side by side.
| Option | How to apply | Costs according to the page | Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copies by email | application form (PDF) from the page of the LJPA | free of charge | PDF files by email, processed in order of receipt |
| Inspection on site | informal email to [email protected] | no fee stated | once a month, 10:00 to at most 12:30, in Düsseldorf |
On-site inspection covers the written examination papers and the assessments of the examiners. The venue is the state examination office at Martin-Luther-Platz 40 in 40212 Düsseldorf. Plan the journey so that you reach the morning time slot reliably.
Why the order of applications matters
If you choose on-site inspection, you can request copies only after that appointment. If you only want copies, you can skip the trip to Düsseldorf and receive the documents as PDFs. The page notes that your email inbox must have enough storage space.
Decide beforehand whether you want to see the originals or whether copies are enough. In the first case the on-site appointment makes sense, in the second the faster route is email.
How do you apply, step by step?
- Note the date of the final examination decision and calculate the one-month deadline.
- Choose between copies by email and on-site inspection.
- For copies, download the application form from the page of the LJPA, complete it and send it by email.
- For on-site inspection, write informally to [email protected] and name your preferred date within the monthly deadline.
- After the appointment, check whether you also need copies and submit that request separately.
What happens if the deadline has passed?
The page names no explicit rule for late applications. Ask the LJPA as early as possible whether later inspection is still possible. The information hotline of the LJPA is the right contact for this.
Does this also apply in other federal states?
No. Inspection follows the state law of the place where you were examined. The page describes the procedure in North Rhine-Westphalia. In Berlin and Brandenburg, the Joint Legal Examination Office (Gemeinsames Juristisches Prüfungsamt) prepares and conducts the compulsory subject examination. There you have to ask the responsible examination office for the rules instead of transferring the NRW details.
What do the documents you can inspect contain?
The papers contain your solutions and the comments of the examiners. The assessments show the marks awarded and, where stated, the reasons. Read both one after the other, so that you can see whether the reasoning matches the score.
| Area | Guiding question when reading |
|---|---|
| Task | Have I answered the question set in full? |
| Structure | Is the solution structured in a way that can be followed? |
| Reasons for marks | Does the comment match the mark awarded? |
| Individual deductions | Are there deductions that the comment does not explain? |
Inspection does not replace a legal review. It does give you the basis to ask precise questions and to narrow down points that are unclear.
Why inspection also helps with a repeat attempt
If you know the weak spots in your own papers, you can study more purposefully. The comments often show which topics were covered too briefly or where the structure fell down. This matters especially if you plan a repeat. Our article on repeating the state examination (in German) explains which attempts are available to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I inspect my papers before the oral examination?
The page provides this route only after the final examination decision. It names no route before the oral examination. If you want to prepare earlier, ask the LJPA before you invest time.
What does inspection cost?
The page lists copies by email as free of charge. For on-site inspection it gives no fee. Binding information on costs is provided by the LJPA on its information hotline.
Who helps with questions about the procedure?
The LJPA can be reached at [email protected]. The information hotline is 0211 837-1922 and is staffed Monday to Friday from 8 to 18. When you write, include your examination number and examination date so that your file can be found quickly.
Does inspection help with an objection?
Inspection shows you how the papers were assessed. Whether an objection follows depends on the individual case. Our article on the withdrawal from the state examination (in German) describes deadlines, and our article on repeating the state examination (in German) explains the rules on repeat attempts.
Do I have to store the copies myself?
The page refers to the storage space in your mailbox. Save the PDF files additionally on a device of your own, so that they are at hand for any later step.
What you should do now
- Calculate the one-month deadline from the date of the final examination decision.
- Decide between copies by email and on-site inspection.
- Submit the application on time, using the form or an informal email.
- Review your papers calmly and note any questions about the assessment.
- Clarify with the LJPA or a specialist office whether a further step makes sense.
Related reading
- Freiversuch im Staatsexamen: Was zählt und welche Fristen gelten (in German)
- Health Insurance Between Your State Exam and Training
- Staatsexamen and Referendariat: Reforms, deadlines and rules at a glance
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
