Obligations and contract law

My phone had a fault "I received a new mobile phone with a fault. Can I get my money back? Marc, Vaud The seller has a warranty obligation towards the buyer in the event of defects in the item sold, even if he was unaware of them....

Furniture installed but not paid for... " I installed a piece of furniture for a customer some time ago. She still hasn't paid me, despite my numerous reminders. Do I have the right to collect the furniture from her by myself? Bertrand, Vaud According to the legal definition, a sale is a contract...

My watchmaking holidays... " I work in the watchmaking industry and I have 5 weeks' holiday a year, 3 of which are set by my employer at the end of July. Can he impose this on me?" David, Vaud The relationship between employers and employees is governed first and foremost by the provisions of the contract of...

My problems with my bike "I bought an electrically-assisted bike from a Swiss company whose after-sales service is catastrophic. Every time it broke down, the bike was sent back to the head office, and a repair that should have taken an hour immobilised the bike for over a month. Because of this lack of organisation, I...

My health insurance company owes me CHF 500 ... " Despite several reminders, my health insurance company has failed to pay me CHF 500. Am I entitled to offset this sum against my debts to them, in particular my insurance premiums? Corinne, Vaud Certainly, according to art. 120...

Consumer rights " I bought a batch of chocolate bunnies in a luxury store to give to the children in my family over the Easter weekend. I gave in to the temptation of biting into one and was stunned to discover that it didn't taste like a quality confection....

Santa writes to the lawyer "Every December, I visit every home through the chimney to bring presents to good children. However, I am worried about what I would be exposed to if one of the toys made by my elves were to prove defective. Would I have to repair it or take it back?

Is the gynaecologist responsible? "A couple of friends of mine have just had their fourth child at almost 50 years of age, even though the wife's gynaecologist had assured her that she could no longer get pregnant. That's not the problem, they're covering this child with love, but they're in serious financial difficulty as a result of...

The neighbour's dog bit my son " My son was bitten by the neighbour's dog while he was playing on the pavement. The dog's owner doesn't seem to realise the seriousness of this act and I'd like to know what I should do to avert such a danger for the children of the...