Commercial & Corporate Law · Switzerland
Trusted Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers in Switzerland for your business
Swiss commercial law rests on the Code of Obligations and is applied through 26 cantonal court systems. We connect you with an admitted lawyer who understands federal rules, cantonal procedure and cross-border implications. From company formation to contract disputes, get matched with the right specialist.
- Lawyers admitted on a cantonal roll, valid nationwide
- Guidance on deadlines, costs and court language
- Free, no-obligation matching within 24–48 hours
Free and without obligation
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Swiss commercial and corporate law
Understanding the legal framework
Commercial and corporate matters in Switzerland are governed by federal codes—the Civil Code and the Code of Obligations—while the 26 cantons administer courts and procedure. Whether you are incorporating a company, negotiating a share purchase, managing board liability or litigating a contract dispute, the rules can change between Geneva, Zürich and Lugano. Our service matches you with Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers in Switzerland who are admitted on a cantonal roll and may practise nationwide. You receive help with deadlines, court costs and cross-border enforcement without having to compare hundreds of profiles. Tell us briefly about your situation and we will introduce you to a specialist, free and without obligation.
Switzerland in detail
How commercial and corporate law works in Switzerland
Commercial and corporate law in Switzerland combines federal codes with cantonal courts. The Code of Obligations sets company and commercial rules, while each canton administers justice in its own language. The lawyers we match understand these layers and act across the country.
Federal civil-law framework
Swiss commercial and corporate law rests on the Civil Code and the Code of Obligations, which contains the company and commercial provisions. Switzerland is not an EU member, but the Lugano Convention and bilateral agreements shape cross-border relations. A lawyer can align your contracts with these rules.
Cantonal courts, unified procedure
Substantive law is federal, but each of the 26 cantons runs its own courts. Since 2011 a single Civil Procedure Code applies nationwide, yet court fees and organisation remain cantonal. Your lawyer identifies the competent court and the applicable procedural language.
Nationwide lawyer admission
Under the Free Movement of Lawyers Act, one cantonal admission is valid throughout Switzerland. A lawyer entered on any cantonal roll may represent you before judicial authorities in all cantons. This means you can choose a specialist regardless of where your company is based.
Costs and fee structure
Court fees follow cantonal tariff schedules; claimants usually pay a cost advance, and the losing party bears costs. Lawyers may agree fees freely or, absent agreement, apply cantonal schedules. Legal aid is available under the Civil Procedure Code if you lack sufficient resources and your case is not without merit.
Key limitation periods
Contractual claims generally prescribe after 10 years and periodic payments after 5 years. Tort claims run 3 years (relative) or 10 years (absolute). For abusive dismissal, 180 days. A lawyer will map the deadlines relevant to your corporate or commercial dispute.
Cross-border enforcement
Because Switzerland is outside the EU, jurisdiction and recognition of judgments in EU states often rely on the Lugano Convention. Your lawyer can advise on choice-of-forum clauses and enforce Swiss judgments abroad efficiently.
Key time limits — Commercial & Corporate Law
| Matter | Deadline | Context |
|---|---|---|
| General contractual claims (debt recovery) | 10 years | The ordinary limitation period for contractual claims under the Swiss Code of Obligations. |
| Tort / non-contractual damages claims | 3 years (relative) / 10 years (absolute) | Relative period runs from knowledge of loss and liable person; absolute runs from act. |
All country-specific facts are drawn from official Swiss federal legal sources (Fedlex, Federal Office of Justice) and verified as of 2025.
Common problems
Avoid costly mistakes in Swiss commercial matters
Corporate and commercial disputes in Switzerland often involve overlapping federal and cantonal rules. These are the issues our lawyers help you resolve.
Cross-border contracts create uncertainty
Switzerland is not in the EU, so jurisdiction and enforcement between Swiss and EU parties depends on the Lugano Convention and bilateral agreements—errors can be costly.
Cantonal procedure differs despite unified law
Substantive commercial law is federal, but 26 cantons organise courts, fees and proceedings. Choosing the wrong forum or missing a cantonal deadline risks dismissal.
Director or shareholder liability exposure
Corporate decisions can trigger personal liability under the Code of Obligations. Without specific advice on board duties and share transfers, you may face claims.
Why use our matching
A specialised lawyer who understands Switzerland
We match you with a lawyer who focuses on commercial and corporate matters and knows the Swiss legal landscape in practice.
Nationwide lawyer admission
A lawyer admitted in any canton may represent you throughout Switzerland, so you can instruct a specialist regardless of where your company is registered.
Clear deadline management
We match you with a lawyer who will map the applicable limitation periods—10 years for contractual claims, 3 years for tort—so no deadline is missed.
Cost transparency and legal aid
Your lawyer explains court fee advances and cantonal tariffs, and checks whether you may qualify for free legal aid under the Civil Procedure Code.
Cross-border strategy
For EU-related transactions or disputes, your lawyer applies the Lugano Convention and bilateral agreements to secure jurisdiction and enforce judgments.
Jurisdictions
Swiss matters often cross borders
For cross-border corporate, M&A or commercial disputes, Swiss matters often touch the following European jurisdictions.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I find Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers in Switzerland?
Use our free matching service: we pair you with a lawyer admitted on a cantonal roll and permitted to practise throughout Switzerland. You describe your matter—company formation, contract dispute, M&A, director liability—and we connect you with a specialist, usually within 24–48 hours.
Is a Swiss lawyer admitted in one canton allowed to represent me elsewhere?
Yes. Under the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers, one cantonal admission is recognised nationally. The lawyer may appear before judicial authorities in all 26 cantons, although the procedural language and court organisation remain cantonal.
What limitation deadlines apply to commercial claims in Switzerland?
General contractual claims prescribe after 10 years; periodic payments after 5 years; tort or non-contractual damages after 3 years (relative) or 10 years (absolute). Some employment-related claims have shorter deadlines. A lawyer should assess your specific limitation period.
How are court costs and legal fees determined in Swiss commercial litigation?
Court fees depend on the canton and the value in dispute; the claimant usually pays a court cost advance. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed or set by cantonal tariff, and the losing party typically bears costs. Legal aid is available if resources are insufficient and the case has merit.
Is Switzerland a member of the EU, and how does that affect cross-border contracts?
No, Switzerland is not an EU member. It relies on bilateral agreements and the Lugano Convention, which aligns jurisdiction and judgment enforcement with the EU’s Brussels I regime. Your lawyer can structure contracts and dispute clauses accordingly.
Can I appear in a Swiss commercial court without a lawyer?
In ordinary cantonal civil proceedings, you may act in person or instruct any capable representative. However, before the Federal Supreme Court, representation by an admitted lawyer is mandatory in civil matters. We help you decide whether to engage counsel.
Find your lawyer
Get matched with a Commercial & Corporate Law lawyer in Switzerland
Tell us briefly about your matter. We will introduce you to a specialised lawyer who understands Swiss federal law and cantonal procedure—free and without obligation.