Civil Law in Switzerland
Civil law constitutes the cornerstone of legal relations between private individuals in Switzerland. Our law firm is specialised in representation and advice on all questions relating to civil law. Given the complexity of the Swiss Civil Code (CC) and the Code of Obligations (CO), our experienced jurists accompany you with expertise and precision. Whether involving family, succession, contractual or civil liability disputes, our team places its expertise at your disposal to defend your interests and guide you towards the solutions best adapted to your personal situation, always in compliance with the Swiss legal framework.
Family Law and Divorce
Family law represents a particularly sensitive area of Swiss civil law, touching on the most personal aspects of individuals' lives. Our law firm intervenes with tact and professionalism in all proceedings falling under this branch of law.
In divorce matters, our lawyers accompany you throughout the procedure, whether for a mutual consent divorce or a contested divorce. We advise you on:
- Liquidation of the matrimonial property regime and asset division
- Setting maintenance contributions
- Attribution of parental authority and child custody
- Establishing a balanced right of visitation
For unmarried couples, we offer legal advice on cohabitation agreements, recognition of children and maintenance contribution questions.
Child Protection and Guardianship Measures
Our team intervenes in procedures relating to child protection, working closely with the Child and Adult Protection Authority (CAPA). We handle questions of:
- Educational guardianship
- Withdrawal of parental authority
- Placement of children
- Representation of minors in civil proceedings
Succession Law: Planning and Dispute Resolution
Succession law constitutes a fundamental pillar of Swiss civil law. Our law firm offers comprehensive support, both in succession planning and in resolving disputes after a death.
In succession planning, we help you organise the transmission of your estate in accordance with your wishes, while respecting the statutory inheritance portions provided for by Swiss law. Our services include:
- Drafting wills and succession pacts
- Advice on donations and advances on inheritance
- Establishing mandates in case of incapacity
- Setting up optimised patrimonial structures
Estate Settlement and Succession Disputes
When settling an estate, our team accompanies you in all administrative and legal steps:
- Obtaining the certificate of inheritance
- Succession inventory
- Distribution of assets among heirs
- Managing fiscal aspects of the succession
In the event of a succession dispute, our lawyers intervene to defend your rights, whether through negotiation or before the Swiss courts:
- Actions for reduction of gifts infringing statutory inheritance portions
- Contesting wills
- Actions for partition
- Claims of disadvantaged heirs
Contract Law and Obligations
Contract and obligations law constitutes the foundation of economic and legal relations between individuals and entities in Switzerland. Our law firm accompanies you in all contractual phases, from negotiation to execution, through drafting and dispute resolution.
Our expertise in contract drafting allows you to secure your legal commitments. We intervene for:
- Analysis and negotiation of contractual terms
- Custom drafting of contracts adapted to your specific needs
- Review of existing contracts and identification of potential risks
- Adaptation of contracts to Swiss legislative changes
Civil Liability Law: Defence and Compensation
Civil liability law concerns situations where a person causes harm to another, thus engaging their legal responsibility. Our law firm accompanies you both on the side of victims and of persons whose liability is called into question.
For damage victims, we intervene to obtain fair compensation:
- Assessment of material and moral prejudice
- Determination of the causal link between the fault and the damage
- Negotiation with civil liability insurers
- Judicial actions for compensation
Types of Civil Liability
Our expertise covers all liability regimes provided for by Swiss law:
- Fault-based liability (art. 41 CO): when faulty conduct causes harm
- Vicarious liability: employers, parents, animal owners
- Property owner liability (art. 58 CO): for damage caused by defective buildings or structures
- Product liability: for defective products placed on the market
Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution in Switzerland
Swiss civil procedure, governed by the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), establishes the rules applicable to disputes brought before the civil courts. Our law firm is perfectly familiar with these procedural mechanisms and offers you a strategic approach adapted to your situation.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
Before engaging in judicial proceedings, we systematically explore amicable routes:
- Mediation: voluntary process facilitated by a neutral third party
- Conciliation: mandatory attempt in most Swiss civil proceedings
- Direct negotiation: seeking agreement between parties
- Arbitration: resolution of the dispute by an arbitral tribunal
When the judicial route proves necessary, our team represents you with rigour at every stage: drafting of procedural acts, taking of evidence, oral arguments before first instance courts and courts of appeal, enforcement of judgments obtained.