Introduction to Swiss Law

Transcription

1 Introduction to Swiss Law Third Edition Edited by F. Dessemontet and T. Ansay KLUWER LAW NTERNATIONAL

2 Table of Contents General Introduction Acknowledgements Abbreviations xvii xviii xix Chapter 1. Introduction 1 Joseph Voyame I. Overview of Swiss History and Political Institutions 1 A. Birth, Growing Pains B. Ancient Historical Institutions: The Diet and Confederal Arbitration C. Modern Times II. Sources of Law 5 A. Enacted Law B. Customary Law C. Judicial Decisions D. Works of Legal Scholars III. Divisions of the Law (Public Law and Private Law) 8 IV. The 'Rule of Law' 10 A. In Theory B. In Practice C. Jus et Equitas V. Three Official Languages 11 VI. Conclusion 12 Chapter 2. The Swiss Federal Constitution 15 J.-F. Aubert and E. Grisel I. A Brief Description of the Constitution 15 A. The Nature ofthe Constitution B. The Style ofthe Constitution II. History of the Constitution 16 A. Until 1848 B. The Constitution of 1848 C. The Constitution of 1874 D. The Partial Revisions between 1874 and 1999 E. The Lang Way to a Totally Revised Constitution III. Modes of Revision 19 IV. General Contents ofthe Constitution 20 A. Fundamental Rules B. Injunctions upon the Legislator

3 vi Introduction to Swiss Law V. Unwritten Rules Implied in the Constitution 23 VI. Measures of Control over the Application of the Constitution 23 A. Political Controls B. Judicial Controls VII. The Constitution and Political Reality 24 Selected Bibliography 26 Chapter 3. Cantonal and Federal Administrative Law of Switzerland 27 Thomas Fleiner I. Introduction 27 II. Constitutional Influences on Swiss Administrative Law 28 A. Federalism B. Cantonal and Federal Administration C. Democracy D. Court System III. General Principles of Swiss Administrative Law 33 A. The Administrative Order B. The Principle oflegality C. The Principle ofdue Process D. The Principle of Proportionality - Appropriateness E. The 'Estoppel' Principle: The Obligation of the Administration to Act in Good Faith IV. New Public Management 41 V. The Protection of Property 42 A. The Protection ofreal Property and ofvested Rights B. State Responsibility C. Taxes Selected Bibliography 46 Chapter 4. Law of Persons 47 Frangois Knoepfler I. General 47 II. Natural Persons 47 A. Beginning and End of Personality B. Civil Capacity C. Name D. Domicile E. Protection of Personality III. Legal Persons 54 A. Associations

4 Table of Contents vii B. Foundations Selected Bibliography 58 Chapter 5. Family Law 59 Jacques-Michel Grossen and Olivier Guillod I. Introduction 59 II. Husband and Wife 60 A. Marriage and Cohabitation B. Engagement to Marry C. Making a Marriage D. Effects of Marriage as between the Spouses E. Matrimonial Property F. Divorce and Judicial Separation III. Parent and Child 68 A. Fundamental Principles of Child Law B. Establishment of Parentage C. Effects of Parentage D. Parental Authority E. Adoption IV. Guardianship and Other Protective Measures 73 A. General Principles B. Guardianship C. Curatorship D. Legal Adviser E. Civil Commitment Selected Bibliography 76 Chapter 6. Law of Inheritance 77 Audrey Leuba I. Introduction 77 II. Principles Goveming the Law of Inheritance 77 A. The Immediate Transfer of the Estate as a Whole B. The 'Saisine' C. The Joint Ownership ofthe Estate D. The Necessity of an Heir III. Intestate Succession 78 A. Partental Ties B. Marital Ties C. The State

5 viii Introduction to Swiss Law IV. Testate Succession 80 A. Principles of Testamentary Dispositions B. Formalities Required for Testamentary Dispositions C. Kinds of Disposition D. The Limitations Imposed by the Compulsory Portion V. Transfer, Conservation and Restoration of the Estate 87 A. Intervention ofthe Probate Authority B. Claim to Recover Inheritance VI. Limitation of Liability for Debts and Protection of the Creditors 87 A. Limitation for the Debts B. Protection ofthe Creditors VII. Partition ofthe Estate 89 A. General Principles B. Hotchpot C. Procedure of Partition VIII. Competent Jurisdiction 91 IX. Taxation ofthe Estate 91 Selected Bibliography 92 Chapter 7. Law of Property 93 J.N. Druey I. In General 93 A. Subject B. Background II. Land and Chatteis 94 III. Jus in Rem and Personal Right 95 IV. The Identity of Objects 95 V. The Transfer of Property 97 VI. Fiduciary Rights ('Trusts') 98 VII. Legal Protection of Property 98 VIII. Protection of Good Faith Acquisition 99 IX. Common Ownership and Apartment Property 100 X. The Duties to the Neighbor 100 XI. Property Reserved to the Seiler 101 XII. Servitudes 102 XIII. Mortgage of Land 103 XIV. Pledge of Chatteis 104 XV. The Land Register 104 Selected Bibliography 106

6 Table of Contents ix Chapter 8. Law of Contracts 107 Eugen Bucher I. General Remarks on the Swiss Law of Obligations 107 A. Historical Background and Influence Abroad B. Evolutions to be Expected in the Future C. Basic Elements of Contracts D. Principle of Freedom of Contract E. Contracts as Basis for Obligations: No Translative Effect II. System of the Legislation; Comparison with Foreign Law 110 III. Formation of Contracts in General 111 A. Survey of the Positive Prerequisites of Validity B. Form-requirements C. No Requirement of Consideration D. Negative Elements Making a Contract Void IV. Formation of Contract (Consensus; Offer and Acceptance) 114 V. Conclusion of Contracts by Representatives 115 A. Non-commercial Representation B. Commercial Representation VI. Interpretation; Vitiating Elements in the Consensus 116 A. Interpretation in General B. 'Dissensus'Distinguishedfrom 'Error' C. Error D. Fraud, Duress E. Protection of Consumers F. Subsequent lmpossibility of Performance G. Frustration VII. Breach of Contract 119 A. Specific Performance B. Damages as General Remedy for Breach C. Consequences ofdelay D. Discharge by Breach VIII. Restitution 123 A. General Remarks B. Restitution of a Benefit Granted by the Party Claiming Restitution C. Restitution of Unjustly Appropriated Value D. Restitution of Value Transferred by Chance IX. Extra-contractual and Quasi-contractual Obligations 125 A. General Remarks B. Obligations Resulting from Facts ofthe Debtor C. Obligations Resulting from Acts ofthe Debtor

7 x Introduction to Swiss Law D. Obligations Resulting from 'Culpa in Contrahendo' X. Assignment and Other Transfers 130 A. Preliminary Remarks B. Assignment of Choses in Action C. Assumption of Obligations D. Transfer of Business-enterprises with Assets and Liabilities E. Transfer ofthe Position as a Party to a Contract to a Third Party XI. Set-Off 133 XII. Negotiorium Gestio 134 XIII. Limitations of Actions 136 XI. Special Types of Contracts 137 A. General Remarks B. Säle C. Letting and Hiring (Rent) D. Contract of Manufacture E. Agency (Mandate) and Similar Types of Contracts Selected Bibliography 143 Chapter 9. Torts 145 R Tercier and D. Dreyer I. Generally 145 A. The Concept B. Distinctions C. Sources II. Conditions of Civil Liability 147 A. General Conditions B. Aquilian Liability C. Simple Causal Liability (Simple Objective Liability) D. Liability for Risk (Aggravated Objective Liability) E. Indemnity for Pain and Suffering III. Effects of Civil Liability 157 A. General Principles B. Evaluation ofdamage C. Setting Damages D. Particularities ofthe Indemnity for Pain and Suffering E. Concurrent Liabilities IV. Claim for Damages 161 A. The Rules on the Statute of Limitations B. The Rules of Procedure Selected Bibliography 163

8 Table of Contents xi Chapter 10. Commercial Law, Competition Law and Intellectual Property 165 Frangois Dessemontet I. Corporations and Partnerships 165 A. Introduction B. Joint Stock Corporations C. Other Companies and Cooperatives D. Partnerships II. Competition Law 184 A. Law against Unfair Competition B. Law on Cartels and Similar Trade Practices III. Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights 190 A. Protection of Inventions B. Trademarks C. Copyright Law D. Designs and Models E. The Semi-conductor Topography ('Chips') Selected Bibliography 195 Chapter 11. Banking Law 197 RolfH. Weber I. Public Banking Law 197 A. Constitutional Basis B. Legal Sources C. Market Participants D. Transaction Rules II. Private Banking Law 211 A. Basis ofthe Contractual Banking Relationship B. Types of Banking Relations Selected Bibliography 216 Chapter 12. Law of Taxation 217 Isabelle Althaus-Houriet I. Introduction 217 A. The Tax System B. Administration II. Federal DirectTax 219 A. Introduction B. Tax Liability C. Taxable Income D. Federal Tax on Profit of Corporations

9 xii Introduction to Swiss Law E. Tax Period F. Computation ofthe Tax and Tax Rates G. Special Cases III. Federal Anticipatory Tax 223 A. Introduction B. Income Subject to Tax C. Tax Rates D. Procedure IV. Federal Stamp Tax 227 V. Value Added Tax 227 VI. Federal Tax on Gambling Houses 228 VII. Miscellaneous Cantonal Taxes 228 A. Inheritance and Gift Taxes B. Taxes on Transfer ofreal Property C. Property Taxes VIII. Conventions for the Avoidance of Double Taxation 229 A. Common Principles B. The Swiss Legislation to Counteract Abuses of Tax Conventions Chapter 13. Labor Law 233 Remy Wyler I. Short Introduction 233 II. Swiss Rules Concerning Private International Law and Place of Jurisdiction 233 A. Private International Law B. Place of Jurisdiction III. Individual Employment Relationship 234 A. In General B. Individual Employment Contract IV. End of the Employment Contract 239 A. Different Forms of Termination B. Protection against Termination and at an Improper Time C. Collective Redundancies D. Transfer ofthe Employment Relationship V. Consequences of Termination ofthe Employment Relationship 242 VI. Strike 242 A. Definition B. Conditions for a Legal Strike C. Civil Consequences ofthe Strike Selected Bibliography 244

10 Table of Contents xiii Chapter 14. Criminal Law 245 S. Trechsel and M. Killias I. Sources of Swiss Criminal Law 245 A. Preliminary Note B. Constitutional Level C. The Swiss Penal Code D. Other Penal Legislation E. Cantonal Legislation F. Case Law G. Legal Doctrine II. The Scope of Application ofthe Penal Code 250 A. As to Time B. Regarding the Place ofthe Offense C. Regarding the Offender III. General Rules on Offenses 252 A. Classification ofthe Offenses B. Crimes of Omission C. Self-defense and Similar Defenses D. Criminal Responsibility E. Mens Rea F. Specific Preconditions of Punishment G. Periods of Limitation (Prescription) H. Criminal Attempt I. Participation IV. Criminal Sanctions 262 A. Sanctions B. Measures against Persons C. Measures against Objects D. Sentencing Rules E. The Execution of Custodial Sentences Selected Bibliography 268 Chapter 15. Law of Criminal Procedure Trechsel and M. Killias I. Laws on Criminal Procedure 269 A. General Remarks B. Constitutional Level C. Statutes on Criminal Procedure D. Case Law and Legal Doctrine II. The Criminal Justice System 272 A. Prosecuting Authorities

11 xiv Introduction to Swiss Law B. Trial Courts III. The Parties to the Criminal Proceedings 274 A. Preliminary Observation B. The Defense C. The Vwtim IV. Governing Principles of Criminal Proceedings 276 A. Preliminary Observation B. General Principles C. Trial Procedures V. The Law on Evidence 278 A. General Rules B. Individuais as a Source of Information and Evidence C. Technical Evidence VI. Coercive Measures 281 A. Preliminary Observations B. Arrest and Detention C. Search and Seizure D. Examination ofbody and Mind E. Interference with the Right to Privacy VII. Special Forms of Procedure 283 A. Private Prosecution B. The Penal Order: The Swiss Form of Plea Bargaining? C. Proceedings in the Absence ofthe Defendant D. Proceedings against Children and Juveniles VIII. Remedies 284 A. Types of Legal Remedies in Criminal Proceedings B. Appeals before the Federal Supreme Court C. The Individual Application to the European Court of Human Rights D. The Petition for Re-trial Selected Bibliography 286 Chapter 16. Law of Civil Procedure 287 Hans Ulrich Walder-Richli I. Sources of Civil Procedure Law 287 II. Main Principles of Swiss Civil Procedure 288 III. Court Structure 288 IV. Persons Participating in the Administration of Justice 290 A. Judges and Court Reporters or Clerks B. Attorneys C. Notaries V Parties 290

12 Table of Contents xv VI. Commencing an Action 292 A. Competence B. Territorial Jurisdiction C. Pleadings VII. Evidence 294 A. Bürden ofproof B. Admissibility C. Documents D. Witnesses E. Experts F. Questioning of Parties VIII. Special Procedures 295 IX. Rendition of Judgment 295 X. Appeal and Other Means of Redress 296 XI. Court Costs, Attorney's Fees and Legal Aid 296 XII. Enforcement 296 XIII. Arbitration 297 Selected Bibliography 299 Chapter 17. Private International Law 301 Frangois Dessemontet and Walter Stoffel I. Introduction 301 A. Characteristics B. General Provisions II. Natural Person 305 A. The Status of Natural Persons B. Marriage and Relationship between Parent and Child C. Inheritance III. Property 308 A. In General B. Pledge of Movable Property and Retention of Title C. Intellectual Property IV. Contracts, Torts and Corporations 310 A. Law of Obligations B. Corporations C. Bankruptcy V. International Arbitration 314 A. Scope ofthe PIL B. Arbitrability C. The Arbitration Agreement D. Procedure

13 xvi Introduction to Swiss Law E. Appeal Selected Bibliography 318 Chapter 18. Bibliography on Swiss Law (in English) 319 Compiled by Alain Thevenaz I. General 319 II. Constitutional Law and Administrative Law 319 III. Law of Persons and Basic Principles of Private Law 321 IV. Family Law and Law of Inheritance 322 V. Property 323 VI. Contract and Tort Law 323 VII. Commercial Law and Business Associations 324 VIII. Industrial and Intellectual Property 328 IX. Air Law 331 X. Banking Law 331 XI. Tax Law 333 XII. Labor Law and Social Insurance Law 335 XIII. Private International Law 335 XIV. Public International Law 338 XV. Civil Procedure and Arbitration 339 XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure 341 XVII. Translation of Official Texts 342 Index 345