The Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court rules in the highest instance on legal disputes between citizens, between citizens and the state, between cantons as well as between the federal government and the cantons. These disputes may concern matters in civil, criminal, administrative and social law.
Functions of the Federal Supreme Court
In
general, it definitively examines decisions of lower courts
As the
highest judicial authority, the Federal Supreme Court rules on appeals against
decisions of the highest cantonal courts, the Federal Criminal Court, the
Federal Administrative Court and the Federal Patent Court. It examines whether
they have applied the law correctly. In the case of human rights issues, an
appeal can be lodged at the European Court of Human Rights.
It ensures uniform
application of the law
Through its
decisions, the Federal Supreme Court ensures uniform application of federal
law. It protects the constitutional rights of citizens. The other courts and
the administrative authorities align themselves with its decisions.
It contributes to the
development of law
If the
Federal Supreme Court has to rule on a legal question that is not or not
clearly regulated by the law, it contributes to the development of the law
through its case law. This can lead to parliament reformulating a law.
Organization of the Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court is divided according to legal areas. It comprises eight divisions:
two public law divisions in Lausanne (e.g. political rights, law on foreign nationals)
two public law divisions in Lucerne (e.g. taxes, accident and disability insurance)
two civil law divisions in Lausanne (e.g. contract law, family law)
two criminal law divisions in Lausanne
40 ordinary and 19 substitute judges work at the Federal Supreme Court. They are assisted by 350 other employees (including around 150 court clerks). The Federal Supreme Court is represented externally by its president. The whole court (all 40 federal judges) decides on the most important questions. The seat of the Federal Supreme Court is in Lausanne. For historical reasons, two divisions are located in Lucerne.
President: Yves Donzallaz
Scheduled dates for public hearings: www.bger.ch
Outcome and number of cases in 2022
Particularities of the Federal Supreme Court
Usually in writing
The proceedings before
the Federal Supreme Court are generally in writing. The competent judge studies the case and submits a written draft
decision to the other judges involved in the case. If all the judges agree, the
decision is rendered. If they do not all agree, a public hearing is scheduled.
Transparent
During a public hearing,
the judges discuss the case, often in the presence of the parties to the
dispute, media representatives or visitors. At the end, the judges vote by show
of hands. All judgments of the Federal Supreme Court are published on the Internet.
Film sequences of public hearings are published when they are of particular
interest to the public.
No independent
examination of the facts of the case
The Federal Supreme Court examines legal issues. In principle, it bases its findings on the facts as they were established by the lower courts.
Multilingual - three or
five judges
The judges of the Federal
Supreme Court come from all linguistic regions of Switzerland. During public
hearings, they speak in their mother tongues. The decisions are written either
in German, French or Italian and are not translated. As a rule, three judges
decide on a case and five when the case raises legal questions of fundamental
importance or upon the request of a judge.