Artikel 38

1. If in the course of criminal or non-criminal proceedings or hearings before a court or authority of a force or of the Federal Republic it appears that the disclosure of an official secret of either of the States concerned, or the disclosure of any information which could prejudice the security of either of them might result, the court or the authority shall, prior to taking further action, seek the written consent of the appropriate authority to the disclosure of the official secret or information. In the event that the appropriate authority advances considerations against disclosure, the court or authority shall take all steps in its power, including those to which paragraph 2 of this Article relates, to prevent such disclosure, provided no constitutional right of any party to the proceedings is thereby impaired.
2. The provisions of Sections 172 to 175 of the German Judicature Act (Gerichtsverfassungsgesetz) on the exclusion of the public from hearings in criminal and non-criminal proceedings, and of Section 15 of the German Code of Criminal Procedure on the transfer of criminal proceedings to a court in a different district, shall be applied mutatis mutandis in cases before German courts and authorities where there is a threat to the security of a force or of a civilian component.