What do I need to know as the member of a Swiss board of directors in times of the coronavirus?
The spread of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is causing turnovers to crash and is plunging the Swiss economy into an unprecedented crisis. If the board of directors fails to respond to this crisis, its members risk becoming liable.
Here you will find the answers to the six most important questions regarding a Swiss board member's duties in the wake of the corona crisis:
Key takeaways:
Key Takeaways:
In view of the extraordinary situation with regard to the corona pandemic, the Federal Council has ordered a temporary stay of debt enforcement. This stay of enforcement is valid from 19 March 2020 until 4 April 2020, and will be immediately followed by the statutory enforcement holidays, which last from 5 April until 19 April 2020. Below, we will answer some practical questions on debt enforcement and bankruptcy law in times of the corona crisis.
As a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (SARS-CoV-2), many companies will find themselves in financial difficulties. The Swiss government has already taken various measures to ease the burden on companies, including a financial assistance program of up to CHF 40 billion, and is considering further measures.
On 8 April 2020, the Federal Council affirmed its willingness to offer support for companies in financial difficulties because of the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, the Federal Council decided not to extend the legal standstill in civil and administrative court proceedings and in debt enforcement actions. The legal standstill will end as planned on 19 April 2020 at midnight.
En raison de la situation exceptionnelle liée à la pandémie du coronavirus, le Conseil fédéral a ordonné une suspension temporaire des poursuites. Cette suspension des poursuites aura effet du 19 mars 2020 au 4 avril 2020 et sera immédiatement suivie par les féries de poursuite qui durent du 5 avril au 19 avril 2020. Nous répondrons ci-dessous à quelques questions pratiques sur le droit des poursuites et faillites en temps de crise du coronavirus.
1. Que signifie « suspension des poursuites » ?
On April 16, 2020, the Swiss Federal Council enacted the COVID-19 Insolvency Ordinance. One of its main goals is to relieve pressure on executive bodies of Swiss entities to request the opening of insolvency proceedings. Relief is targeted at overindebtedness situations caused by negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on liquidity, earnings and going-concern prospects. Further, the Swiss Federal Council put in place a special COVID-19 moratorium.
April 2020
138Newsletter No.
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As announced on 9 April 2020, the Swiss Government today adopted measures to prevent a wave of bankruptcies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the heart of the measures is the suspension of the duty to notify the court in the event of over-indebtedness and a new moratorium designed for SMEs (COVID-19 Moratorium).
Newsletter No. 138 April 2020