unbeschadet

Without Prejudice to (Unbeschadet)

Level 5

unbeschadet is a high-level, formal preposition used to state that one rule or fact remains valid even though another is being mentioned. It is most common in legal and administrative German.

How It Works

In the world of Legal German and Administrative German, unbeschadet is an essential tool.

1. Meaning and Usage
While words like obwohl (although) or trotzdem (nevertheless) highlight a conflict, unbeschadet highlights coexistence. It literally means 'without doing harm to.' In a contract, it signals that 'Provision A' stays 100% valid even if 'Provision B' seems to overlap with it.

2. Grammatical Case
It usually governs the genitive case. Plural nouns work best with an article or an adjective that shows the genitive (e.g., unbeschadet der Rechte Dritter, unbeschadet anderer Bestimmungen).

3. Position in the Sentence

  • Preposition: Usually placed before the noun (e.g., unbeschadet des Gesetzes).
  • Postposition: In very formal or older texts, it can follow the noun (e.g., des Gesetzes unbeschadet).

4. Adjective and Adverbial Use
Outside of legal prepositions, unbeschadet can also mean 'unharmed,' 'safe,' or 'intact.' In this sense, it functions as a predicate adjective or adverb (e.g., Er überstand den Unfall unbeschadet - He survived the accident unharmed).

5. Word Order
When unbeschadet starts a sentence as a prepositional phrase, the entire phrase counts as 'Position 1.' Therefore, the verb must come immediately after the phrase due to the verb-second rule.

Examples (6)

  1. Unbeschadet der Bestimmungen in Absatz 1 bleibt das Kündigungsrecht bestehen.

    Without prejudice to the provisions in paragraph 1, the right to terminate remains in effect.

    Word by Word: Without-prejudice the provisions in paragraph 1 remains the termination-right exist.

    This is a classic legal sentence. It confirms that the right to terminate is not canceled out by whatever was written in the first paragraph.

  2. Diese Regelung gilt unbeschadet etwaiger Ansprüche Dritter.

    This regulation applies without prejudice to any claims by third parties.

    Word by Word: This regulation applies without-prejudice any claims (of) third-parties.

    Here, 'unbeschadet' ensures that the new regulation doesn't accidentally wipe out the legal rights of other people.

  3. Unbeschadet seiner großen Verdienste musste er entlassen werden.

    Notwithstanding his great services, he had to be dismissed.

    Word by Word: Without-prejudice his great merits must he dismissed be.

    In a non-legal but formal context, this acknowledges the person's past achievements while stating the current necessity of their dismissal.

  4. Seines hohen Alters unbeschadet nimmt er noch an jedem Marathon teil.

    Notwithstanding his advanced age, he still participates in every marathon.

    Word by Word: His high age without-prejudice takes he still at every marathon part.

    This example shows 'unbeschadet' used as a postposition (placed after the noun), which is extremely formal and literary.

  5. Er ist unbeschadet nach Hause gekommen.

    He arrived home unharmed.

    Word by Word: He is unharmed to home come.

    In this context, 'unbeschadet' functions as an adjective/adverb meaning 'unharmed' or 'safe', rather than a preposition.

  6. Unbeschadet Rechten Dritter wird der Vertrag unterzeichnet.

    Without prejudice to the rights of third parties, the contract is signed.

    Word by Word: Without-prejudice rights (of) third-parties is the contract signed.

    This sentence uses an article, so the genitive plural 'der Rechte' is clearly marked. Unbeschadet normally takes the genitive.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative case instead of the genitive.

    Unbeschadet dem Gesetz...
    Unbeschadet des Gesetzes...

    Because 'unbeschadet' is a high-register word, it strictly requires the genitive case. Using the dative makes the speaker sound inconsistent in their level of formality.

  • Incorrect word order after a starting phrase.

    Unbeschadet der Risiken, er investierte sein Geld.
    Unbeschadet der Risiken investierte er sein Geld.

    The prepositional phrase occupies the first position. In German, the verb must be the second element in a main clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

unbeschadetLevel 5Without Prejudice to (Unbeschadet)

Learn This First

To use 'unbeschadet' correctly, a learner must be comfortable with the genitive case system, including the specific article forms and noun endings it triggers. Since it is a formal, legalistic preposition, it builds directly on the foundational knowledge of genitive prepositions.

Words in This Pattern

unbeschadet