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.

Scheduled dates for public hearings

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: Fançois Chaix

The court members are supported by 375 employees, including around 175 court clerks. These clerks assist in reaching a verdict. In many cases, they are tasked with preparing a draft judgment. However, the verdict is always reached by the judges involved.

Expenses 2023 (CHF)
100m

Staff (FTEs) 2023
345

The Federal Supreme Court

General Secretariat
The General Secretariat prepares the meetings of the governing bodies, supports the implementation of their decisions and is available to assist the presidency and all federal judges. It organises meetings with delegations from other courts and international organisations and is responsible for maintaining national and international relations.

As a service centre for the court, the General Secretariat supports the individual divisions in their daily work. All the necessary legal information is provided to the members of the court and the court clerks. In addition, the General Secretariat ensures that the decisions of the Federal Supreme Court are accessible to the public. The IT department develops customised applications to meet the specific requirements of the court.

The highest governing body of the court administration is the Administrative Commission, which consists of the president, the vice president and a further member of the court. The administrative departments are headed by the Secretary General. He also heads the secretariat of the full court, the Conference of Presidents and the Administrative Commission. He participates in an advisory capacity in the meetings of the Administrative Commission and the Conference of Presidents.

Open doors to the public
At the Federal Supreme Court’s headquarters in Lausanne and at the Lucerne premises, individuals and groups can regularly take part in guided tours. During the anniversary year 2025, open days will be held (see ‘Three questions for the president of the Federal Supreme Court’):

Open Day schedule 2025
6 September in Lucerne
13/14 September at the main site in Lausanne

Visits to the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne

Visits to the Federal Supreme Court in Lucerne

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.