Björn Vrooman Jun 3, 2016:

Nah, don't say that, Wendy. This is a contentious issue, even among Germans.

I think an English example would be:
"to make repairs and renovations with a single-close first mortgage, rather than a second mortgage, home equity line of credit, or other, more costly methods of financing."
https://www.fanniemae.com/content/fact_sheet/homestyle-renov...

In some way, it's the same issue: Do you put the comma there or not.

Wendy Streitparth Jun 3, 2016:

Thanks for the Unterstützung Björn. I'm useless at explaining grammar, but I could see that there was nothing wrong with it.

Björn Vrooman Jun 2, 2016:

Mary Late to the party, but oh well.

Just wanted to add something for you here - incidentally, to back up Wendy's explanation as well.

Another example:
"Jeder Vertragsstaat unterrichtet, soweit irgend möglich, die anderen Vertragsstaaten vollständig und fortlaufend über seine Gesetze und sonstigen die Lufttüchtigkeit betreffenden Rechtsvorschriften, einschließlich der ergänzenden Betriebsvorschriften sowie über alle Änderungen dieser Vorschriften."
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/luftfzg_bk/ge...

And:
"Gegenstand der rechtlichen Aufsicht ist die ordnungsgemäße Durchführung des Geschäftsbetriebs einschließlich der Einhaltung der aufsichtsrechtlichen, der das Versicherungsverhältnis betreffenden und aller sonstigen die Versicherten betreffenden Vorschriften sowie der rechtlichen Grundlagen des Geschäftsplans."
https://dejure.org/gesetze/VAG/294.html

There's nothing missing here. These are normal verbs, not auxiliary ones (kann, etc.). I think what may have confused you was the comma after "sonstigen." See:
http://www.dsfo.de/fo/pdf.php?t=14191

Ramey Rieger (X) Jun 2, 2016:

Ah, thank you for the modifier. Now I can rest easy. Take care!

Wendy Streitparth Jun 2, 2016:

I realise that Ramey, but this is to my mind perfectly normal German grammar (if "verkompliziert"!).

Ramey Rieger (X) Jun 2, 2016:

Hi Wendy Yes, IF the second 'die' was in the ST. But as it isn't, the article following the comma infers a verb.

Wendy Streitparth Jun 2, 2016:

There is no verb missing, look at it this way:
Es fehlt daher an Erfahrungswerten, Präzedenzfällen oder sonstigen Auslegungsbehilfen, die die Rechtsanwender binden und leiten.

Mary Burdman (asker) Jun 2, 2016:

verb missing Thanks, Ramey - I agree the phrase could be worked out without a verb, but really should have one. My first attempt is 'There is a lack of experience, cases of precedent or other matters, (to provide) binding and leading interpretations for applying the law.' But your 'guiding' is better!

Ramey Rieger (X) Jun 2, 2016:

Good morning Mary! I'm with you. The 'die' following the comma infers that the guidlines DO something, although you could puzzle it out without the verb. As law is full of grey zones, it is hardly likely that rules would apply here. Guidelines comes closer, but also implies one must stick to them, which with 'bindend' is already in the sentence. Here's an attempt to bring it together, although the preceeding sentence would determine if it works:
Thus, without sufficient experience, precedents or somesuch, (there is a lack of) binding and guiding interpretation assistance (is lacking).

Adrian MM. (X) Jun 1, 2016:

No verb missing Es fehlt daher an Erfahrungswerten, Präzedenzfällen oder sonstigen, die Rechtsanwender bindenden und leitenden **Auslegungsbehelfen**

What is thus lacking are .....or other aids to interpretation and canons of construction binding on and guiding those purporting to apply the law.