Berlin District Court: Laughter is not noise – but it’s not inexhaustible either

A man from Berlin tries to sue his neighbor for laughing too loudly. The Berlin Regional Court dismisses the claim (case no.: 53 S 167/23).

Laughter is a natural human reaction that is not necessarily disturbing. The Berlin Regional Court ruled that laughter could not be regarded as noise within the meaning of the law. Noise is an unwanted sound that is capable of disturbing the peace and quiet of others. However, this was not the case with laughter. Laughter is a natural human reaction that is not necessarily disturbing.

Criticism of the decision

The decision of the Berlin Regional Court is not without controversy. Some legal experts argue that laughter can also be considered noise if it is excessively loud or takes an unreasonable amount of time. In this case, however, it could not be assumed that the neighbor’s laughter disturbed the man in an unreasonable manner. The man had not stated how loud his neighbor’s laughter had been or at what time of day he had laughed.
The decision of the Berlin Regional Court shows that laughter also has a special status in German law. Laughter is a fundamental right that is protected by the constitution. However, laughter is not inexhaustible. If laughter is too loud or too frequent, it can also be perceived as disturbing. In this case, it may well be that a neighbor feels disturbed by the laughter and can take legal action.

Contents of the decision

The decision of the Berlin Regional Court is a plea for the freedom to laugh. It shows that laughter should also be protected in everyday life. Nevertheless, it is important to show consideration for others and not to laugh too loudly or too often.laughter is a fundamental right under German law that is protected by the constitution.
In its decision, the Berlin Regional Court referred to Section 1004 of the German Civil Code, which guarantees protection against unreasonable interference with property. The court found that laughter could not be regarded as noise within the meaning of this provision. Noise is an unwanted sound that is capable of disturbing the peace and quiet of others. However, this is not the case with laughter. Laughter is a natural human reaction that is not necessarily disturbing.
Assessment of the decision:
The decision of the Berlin Regional Court is a plea for the freedom to laugh. The court makes it clear that laughter is a fundamental right that is protected by the constitution. Laughter is an important social function that promotes well-being. Nevertheless, it is important to be considerate of others and not to laugh too loudly or too often.