For foreign entrepreneurs, families and enterprises, the prospect of pursuing or defending a claim in a foreign jurisdiction can appear daunting. Switzerland, however, offers one of the world’s most stable, impartial and business-friendly legal environments, a forum where contractual freedom is strongly respected, corruption is low, and even foreign individuals can and do prevail against major institutions.
LINDEMANNLAW is delighted to invite you to this web workshop, in which we demystify the Swiss litigation and enforcement landscape from the perspective of the foreign party. We explain how the Swiss court system works, what to expect as a claimant or defendant based abroad, and how provisional measures and enforcement can protect your interests. Our message is simple: do not be afraid to litigate in Switzerland, but use the opportunity to benefit from the Swiss legal system.
Event Details
Date: November 10, 2026
Time: 14:00 (CET)
Language: English
Format: Online via Microsoft Teams
Agenda
Understanding the Swiss Court System
- Swiss federalism: cantons, languages and cantonal courts, including specialised Commercial Courts (Handelsgericht)
- A civil law system with common-law elements, and why parties choose Swiss law and forum
- The road to court: letter of claim, negotiations and mandatory conciliation
- The modernized Civil Procedure Code: English-language proceedings, videoconferencing and voluntary conciliation
Litigating as a Foreign Party
- Serving documents abroad and the Swiss address for service
- Advance on costs and security for party costs (Art. 98–99 CPC)
- Duration of proceedings and multiple instances
- David versus Goliath: a live case study on the AT1 bond decision
Provisional Measures, Enforcement & Strategy
- Interim and ex parte measures (Art. 261 and 265 CPC)
- Attachment and freezing of assets (Art. 271 et seq. CPC)
- Debt enforcement: the Swiss Betreibung explained
- Enforcing foreign judgments and arbitral awards in Switzerland
Live Q&A Session
Speakers
Emmanouil Kazakos, MLaw UZH — Associate, LINDEMANNLAW
Attorney-at-law admitted to the bar in both Switzerland (Zurich) and Greece, he advises Swiss and international clients on corporate, M&A and contract law and represents them before courts and authorities at home and abroad, with a particular focus on litigation and arbitration.
Dr. Jakob Schaad — Of Counsel, LINDEMANNLAW
Holding a doctorate in economics from the University of Zurich, he leads Government Relations & Lobbying. He previously held senior positions at the Swiss National Bank and the International Monetary Fund, advised the Swiss Minister of Economic Affairs, and served as Deputy CEO of the Swiss Banking Association and Vice Director of Avenir Suisse.
Dr. Tatiana Zakharova, LL.M. — Partner, LINDEMANNLAW
A specialist in financial services, regulation and sanctions, she holds a J.D. and LL.M. from Columbia Law School and is admitted to the New York bar. With over ten years of experience, she advises UHNWI entrepreneurs, asset managers and institutional investors on fund structuring, cross-border transactions and wealth planning, following roles at Vontobel, Credit Suisse and Sidley Austin.
Dr. Alexander Schiemenz (Moderator) — Founding Partner, LINDEMANNLAW
A Swiss and European lawyer and tax advisor, he counsels Forbes billionaires, entrepreneurs, investment funds and banks on legal, regulatory and tax matters. He previously held senior positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Credit Suisse and Clifford Chance, and is a Legal 500 speaker.
Who Should Attend
- Foreign entrepreneurs, families and enterprises with interests, contracts or assets connected to Switzerland
- Investors and business owners exposed to Swiss law or a Swiss forum
- In-house counsel and legal departments
- Family offices and private clients
- Professional advisors seeking to protect and enforce their clients’ rights in the Swiss legal system
We look forward to welcoming you to this workshop and to sharing how the Swiss legal system can work decisively in your favor.
