Insights
More Paid Leave to Care for Children and Relatives
In 2021, care leave for employees in Switzerland is being extended in several different ways. Besides two-week paternity leave, they will be able to take additional paid leave days to care for sick relatives. As of July 1, 2021, parents of seriously ill children will also be entitled to up to 14 weeks of care leave.
What Translation Agencies Need to Know about Data Protection
If a translation contains personal data, data protection law will apply. In this context, both translation providers and clients should always be aware of their role to protect data and also their associated obligations under the law.
Founding a Company Using Crypto and Foreign Currencies
Founding a Swiss company using crypto capital is already possible today. The legal requirements are though stricter compared with making a cash contribution in Swiss francs, and potential exchange rate fluctuations must be taken into account. The revised corporate law will make capital contributions more flexible and also open the door to foreign currencies.
Smart Contracts and Formal Legal Requirements
Fulfilling a contract is not always a smooth process, and this is no less true of "smart” contracts. For a contract to be legally valid and also enforceable in the analog world, certain formal requirements need to be met. And this should be also considered when using smart contract solutions.
Swiss Federal Supreme Court Says Uber Switzerland Does Not Have to Pay UberPop Drivers Retirement Benefits
The Federal Supreme Court has decided in the Uber case that Uber Switzerland GmbH does not have to pay social security contributions for the employees of a foreign group company. This provides greater legal certainty about employer status under social security law.
The Virtual Shareholder Meeting Becomes a Legal Reality
The revised Swiss company law allows virtual shareholder meetings and enables company formation, capital increases or other shareholders’ resolutions via video conferencing. While the law is not expected to enter into force before 2022, parts of it have already been implemented under temporary Covid-19 provisions.
Bonus Pay in Switzerland - Discretionary or Not?
When an employment contract is terminated, disagreements about bonus payments may arise. A recent decision by the Federal Supreme Court better clarified under which circumstances bonus payments are subject to the employer’s discretion.
Switzerland Says Goodbye to Bearer Shares
As of 1 May 2021, all bearer shares of companies incorporated in Switzerland will be converted into registered shares by law. Exceptions are only allowed for equity securities listed on a stock exchange or structured as intermediated securities. Companies and shareholders violating transparency and documentation duties may face penalties.
NFTs and Property Rights
Non-fungible tokens are finding applications in gaming, art, finance, and many other areas. But fundamental legal questions arise with each new use case for NFTs.
Swiss Landlords and Tenants Looking for Solutions as Covid-19 Impacts Commercial Leases
Government-mandated Covid-19 measures are having a major impact on private contracts. Commercial leases are particularly affected as businesses are forced to close temporarily. Here are a few options landlords and tenants can explore to resolve potential disputes.
How Companies Remain Compliant with the Revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection
The revised Swiss Data Protection Act will enter into force in the next few months. To remain compliant with data protection regulation, Swiss companies should work through the following checklist.
What Swiss Employment Law Says about Covid-19 Layoffs
Covid-19 is forcing many companies to lay off staff. Here are the key Swiss employment law regulations employers need to keep in mind when considering redundancies.
How Switzerland’s New Law on Distributed Ledger Technology May Reshape Securitization
Switzerland’s adoption of new blockchain legislation on ledger-based securities will have ramifications across a number of federal laws.
This Swiss Canton Just Made it Legal to Pay Taxes in Bitcoin and Ether
Swiss Canton of Zug allows individuals and corporations to pay taxes in Bitcoin or Ether as of February 2021. The government appointed Bitcoin Suisse AG as the payment processor.