Introductory remarks
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently causing concern and uncertainty and poses challenges to companies and individuals alike. A number of legal issues are also emerging, whether in relation to contractual obligations, labour law matters or corporate law aspects. This article aims to highlight the most important points from a Swiss law perspective and to clarify legal issues in the elaboration of possible courses of action.
1. Commercial contracts
1.1 Force majeure
After publishing a very comprehensive report on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain in last December, the Federal Council initiated during its meeting on 22 March 2019 the next step by a public consultation on the adaptation of specific federal law provisions to developments in DLT and blockchain. This further underlines the emphasis of the Federal Council on creating the best possible framework to allow Switzerland to establish itself as a leading, innovative and sustainable location for fintech and DLT companies.
Der Bundesrat ist bestrebt, die Schweiz auf die digitale Zukunft vorzubereiten, wozu insbesondere Anpassungen der Rechtsordnung an die aufstrebende Blockchain und Distributed Ledger Technologie (DLT) gehören. Auf die Veröffentlichung eines umfassenden Berichts zu dieser Thematik im Dezember 2018 folgte am 22. März 2019 eine Vernehmlassungsvorlage mit dem Titel „Anpassung des Bundesrechts an Entwicklungen der Technik verteilter elektronischer Register“. Darin schlägt der Bundesrat die Anpassung verschiedener Gesetze vor, u.a.
Die Digitalisierung ist eine die wichtigsten Treiber von Innovation und von entscheidender Bedeutung für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Schweizer Volkswirtschaft. Zu den vielversprechendsten Entwicklungen gehört die Distributed Ledger Technologie (DLT).
Der Bundesrat hat im März 2019 die Vernehmlassung zur Anpassung des Bundesrechts an die Entwicklungen der DLT eingeleitet und einen vorläufigen legislativen Vorschlag für ein neues Bundesgesetz zur Änderung von Bundesgesetzen im Lichte der Entwicklungen zur DLT ("Vernehmlassungsentwurf") sowie einen erläuternden Bericht vorgelegt.
What is it all about?
This article briefly describes the liquidation procedure of a company based on a voluntary winding up upon special resolution by its shareholders.
What do I have to do?
Shareholders resolution
Swiss Civil Procedure Law in a Nutshell (Volume 11 of 12)
This blog series provides litigators and corporate counsel from other jurisdictions with a practical understanding of the mechanics, advantages, and limits of litigation before State Courts in Switzerland.
Enforcement of Money Claims
Money claims are enforced by virtue of the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law. The creditor may either initiate enforcement by virtue of an ex parte freezing order (attachment) or else by a normal summons to pay.
On 1 January 2019, the revised Section of the Swiss Private International Law Act (PILA) regarding cross-border insolvencies entered into force. The revision became necessary as the previous regulation was criticised in particular for its protectionist elements, which also were a recurring topic in discussions with foreign colleagues and insolvency practitioners. Particularly compared to other European countries, Switzerland had apparent modernisation potential.
On 8 March 2019 the consultation on the partial revision of the banking act was initiated by the Federal Council. The amendments have an impact on bank restructurings, deposit insurance and intermediated securities. The consultation period will close on 14 June 2019.
Insolvency and restructuring measures
On March 8, 2019, the Swiss Federal Council instructed the Federal Department of Finance to initiate the consultation process on proposed amendments to the Banking Act.
The proposed amendments aim at increasing the effectiveness, and legal basis, of certain bank resolution measures and related topics.
Interested parties can comment on the draft proposal until June 14, 2019.
Restructuring procedure for banks