Criminal law

Not every commission is worth taking My ex-husband is very keen to pay our children's pensions, even though I know he has the means to do so. He is active in the construction industry and I have proof that he receives commission from the companies to which he entrusts work...

The American system and the Swiss system " This week, I read a report in the press about the Strauss-Kahn affair, in which it was explained that the American judicial system is "adversarial", unlike the Swiss system, which is "inquisitorial", thanks to the work of the investigating judges, who seek evidence for both the prosecution and the...

Am I obliged to testify against my husband? I'd like to know if I'm obliged to testify against my husband, who has been summoned to appear in court". Sylvie, Geneva First of all, you need to know what type of proceedings are involved. If it's a civil case, the Geneva law of civil procedure...

Child car seat Article 57 of the Federal Road Traffic Act allows the Federal Council to require car occupants to use restraint systems such as seat belts. Our government made use of this delegation of powers a long time ago, by enacting Article 3a of the Ordinance on...

Doctor-patient confidentiality Article 321 of the Criminal Code punishes breaches of professional confidentiality. Certain professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and clergymen, are bound by professional secrecy, which means that they cannot reveal facts learned in the exercise of their profession.In addition to the criminal penalties, a doctor...

Drive young, but carefully I'll soon be a learner driver and, following a discussion with some friends, I'm wondering exactly what the conditions are for withdrawing a trial driving licence in the event of a breach of the Highway Code, and what the consequences of such a withdrawal are: for example, do you have to redo...

Ride young! Grandma on a motorbike My grandma is 66 and still in great shape. I'm about to start training for my motorbike licence and I'd really like her to take the course and the test with me. Would she still be able to get the licence at her age and if so, would it be...

Drinking and riding a bike or a scooter "Having read in the papers that people who had been drinking on their scooters had lost their licences in Germany, I was wondering whether the same might apply here, whether on a scooter or a bike? Elisabeth, Geneva In Switzerland, it's the...

A hectic evening on the way home "Drunk after a party, my 23-year-old daughter ordered a taxi home. During the journey, she threw up in the vehicle. Even though I had cleaned the car, the taxi driver demanded CHF 500 and wanted to lodge a complaint. What exactly is she exposed to? "Well, Geneva Souiller...