IHK Erfurt: New Dispute Resolution Panel Members Appointed (2026)

The Presidium of the IHK Erfurt (Industry and Commerce Chamber) announced the composition of its conciliation board on November 10, 2025, for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2026. The board will handle civil disputes involving claims based on the Act Against Unfair Competition.

According to a decision made in accordance with § 8 Abs. 4 of the IHK Erfurt statutes of September 28, 2022, in conjunction with §§ 4, 5 of the Thuringian Regulation on Conciliation Boards according to the Act Against Unfair Competition of December 10, 1991, the following individuals will serve as board members:

Stefan Herda, representing the Handwerkskammer Südthüringen (South Thuringian Chamber of Crafts). Stefan Hoffmann, representing eckpunkt – Die Medienagentur GmbH (eckpunkt – The Media Agency GmbH). Matthias Kwasny, representing the Handwerkskammer Erfurt (Erfurt Chamber of Crafts). Ralf Reichertz, representing the Verbraucherzentrale Thüringen e.V. (Thuringian Consumer Center). Sebastian Schilling, representing the Handwerkskammer Erfurt. Jürgen Schmidt, representing Werra-Blitz-Transportgesellschaft mbH (Werra-Blitz-Transportgesellschaft Ltd.). Elke Wolf, representing Juwelier Jasper Erfurt GmbH + Co. KG (Juwelier Jasper Erfurt Ltd.).

The appointments follow a previous decision by the IHK Erfurt Presidium on November 11, 2024, concerning the composition of the conciliation board, as outlined in a December 1991 regulation. The current appointments are for a one-year term, beginning January 1, 2026.

Robert Hünicke, a lawyer, will serve as Chairman of the board, and Benjamin Heinze, too a lawyer, will serve as Deputy Chairman. Bärbel Hanß, from the IHK Erfurt, will also serve on the board for the duration of the term.

The conciliation boards at the IHK Erfurt, Gera, and Suhl were established to resolve civil disputes related to unfair competition claims within their respective districts, according to the Thuringian Regulation.