What is a debt-restructuring moratorium?

Since 20 April 2020, both the judicial and debt collection pauses have ended. The legal standstill decreed by the Swiss Federal Council in accordance with Art. 62 of the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (DEBA) has thus expired. For a business that, despite the emergency aid provided by the Swiss government and the cantons, is still unable to meet its obligations (immediately) but wishes to continue its business activities, the question arises as to how it can obtain creditor protection.

On April 20, 2020, the Swiss (only German) came into force, after an emergency legal freeze ended on April 19, 2020 (see our blog post "Federal Council orders a nationwide stay of debt enforcement proceedings"). However, no end of the corona pandemic is in sight.