In Germany, the legal framework guiding administrative procedure and judicial review of administrative actions sport distinct features that have proven to run into conflict with European Union law and the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus-Convention). Pursuant to German provisions such as Sections 45, 46 of the Administrative Procedure Act (Verwaltungs­verfahrensgesetz, VwVfG), the absence of a mandatory environmental impact assessment or its defective execution did not regularly entail the nullification of the pertinent administrative decision. Moreover, standing of environmental protection associations and individuals concerned was limited to scrutiny of so-called individual public rights. Finally, the scope of judicial review is constrained to the impairment of individual rights. In all these respects, European Union law and in particular Court of Justice of the European Union jurisprudence have led to profound adjustments in Germany in recent years. The paper analyzes the history of Germany’s defensive strategy and aims to evaluate the options for future development both in legislation and adjudication.