Attorneys-at-Law Act

Since 1 June 2002 it has been possible for lawyers in Switzerland to appear before any court in the country without needing a special licence. In the past, they had to apply for authorisation to practise if they wished to represent a party in court in a canton other than that in which their practice was based.

The Attorneys-at-Law Act brings about a new degree of mobility by requiring registers of lawyers to be kept at cantonal level. If a lawyer meets set professional and personal criteria, they may be entered in the lawyers' register in the canton in which their business is located. This gives them the right to appear in court anywhere in Switzerland. The Act also harmonizes the major professional regulations and disciplinary measures at federal level. This promotes mobility among members of the legal profession, who will no longer have to worry about differences between the cantons.

Finally, the Attorneys-at-Law Act also lays down the conditions on which lawyers from Member States of the EU and EFTA may be licensed to practise law in Switzerland.

Attorneys-at-Law Act

• Bundesgesetz vom 23. Juni 2000 über die Freizügigkeit der Anwältinnen und Anwälte

  (SR 935.61)

• Loi fédérale du 23 juin 2000 sur la libre circulation des avocats

  (RS 935.61)

• Legge federale del 23 giugno 2000 sulla libera circolazione degli avvocati

  (RS 935.61)

Note

For the complete documentation see the pages in German, French or Italian.

Dossier

Comunicati

Java script is required to display press releases. If you are unable or unwilling to activate Java script you may use the link below to access the Federal Administration News Portal, where you can read the announcements.

To the Federal Administration News Portal

Last modification 18.12.2002