Obligations and contract law

My brother and I have just inherited a building plot that is divisible. A property developer has offered to buy him out so that he can build a block of flats. Knowing that I'm vindictive, my brother asked me not to get in the way and to sign an undertaking in which I renounce, in advance, any right to oppose...

I live in Geneva and have a car that's in good condition but quite old. I've just had a great opportunity to buy a new one, which I've also registered in Geneva. I'd like to lend my old car to a relative who lives in the canton of Vaud for probably a year. Following your last article, I...

I've heard that Switzerland now allows automated driving. Can I install an automated driving system in my vehicle? What steps do I need to take? It would be great for me to be able to read my files on long journeys, especially in accordion traffic... Damien, Geneva Automated driving is now permitted in Switzerland, but...

I am a firearms enthusiast and own a number of firearms. I regularly practise shooting in a professional and safe environment. The other day, a newcomer, who wanted to try his hand at shooting, was holding a particular object in his hand: a plastic pistol that he told me he had created at home from a...

The independence of the lawyer "Why shouldn't a lawyer be employed by the bank he represents in court? Eliane, Geneva In Switzerland, the profession of lawyer has been governed by the Federal Law on the Free Movement of Lawyers (LLCA) since 2000. This law lays down the rules to which lawyers are subject, and provides that a...

Damage done as a favour: what happens next? "I helped a friend carry boxes for his move and inadvertently dropped one of them, which contained some crockery that I didn't think was very valuable... Despite this, my friend asked me to take out insurance, and I thought that was a rather...

Estimate exceeded I signed a contract with a company to carry out work on my natural stone roof based on an estimate of CHF 1,864. I was surprised to receive an invoice for CHF 4135 once the work had been completed! I protested to the company concerned...

Keeping dogs The Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) contains various types of liability, including so-called "simple objective" liabilities arising from a lack of diligence on the part of the person concerned. They relate to specific dangers inherent in certain installations, activities or situations. In particular, liability of this kind may be incurred by the...

Customer damage - who's responsible? "I manage a group of about ten people in a company. One of the people in this group apparently caused quite a lot of damage to a customer while carrying out work for her: Who is responsible?...