All articles by Dr. iur. Irma Ambauen

"Arbitration before litigation" is firmly anchored in the Swiss culture of dispute resolution. In principleproceedings may only be initiated after the parties have attempted mediation. But what exactly does conciliation mean? What rules apply and what are the challenges?

Swiss corporations will be able to have corporate disputes decided by an arbitration court based in Switzerland as of January 1, 2023.

Even though many of the provisions of the new Federal Data Protection Act (FADPA) are not new, they have taken on a new significance, not least because of the expanded enforcement mechanisms. This article shows where Swiss SMEs need to take action.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having major effects onthe economy both in Switzerland and further afield. Thousands of contracts now cannot be honoured at all, or at least not to the extent stipulated. There is uncertainty concerning the financial and legal consequences of such disruptions to performance. Arbitral tribunals can issue binding decisions swiftly, and thus ensure legal certainty between the parties within a relatively short space of time.

On 18 March 2020, the Federal Council ordered an extraordinary suspension of limitation periods under debt enforcement and bankruptcy law. The ordinary debt enforcement holiday suspensions appliesfrom 5 April 2020 until Sunday 19 April 2020. However, exceptions from this rule are permitted.