Can I prune my neighbour's tree? A twisted old tree in my neighbour's garden has several rotten branches sticking out onto my property. My granddaughters often play there, and I'm afraid they'll be knocked unconscious if one of the branches breaks off and falls on my side of the...
Can I return online purchases? "I've bought several Christmas presents on the Internet, particularly on Swiss and French sites. I'm currently waiting to receive them and I'm wondering whether I'll be able to return them if the people I'm going to give them to don't like them...
Can I reduce the pension I pay my daughter? "I have a 9-year-old daughter from my first marriage and I pay my ex-wife a pension of CHF 1,100 for her. At the time of the divorce, my ex-wife earned a lot less than she does now, as she has taken further training in the meantime. I would...
Can I claim old child benefit? "My parents divorced when I was a baby. My father received my child benefit for almost 12 years without ever paying it to me. Now I'm 22, can I still claim it? Ana, Geneva Child benefit is paid to people with one or more dependent children....
Can I lose my job if I take part in a strike? I read with interest your recent column on the criteria for a strike to be considered legal. I've always been reluctant to take part in marches organised by my union for fear of being sacked: what exactly am I risking? C. Geneva You have to distinguish between...
Can I share my commercial premises? "I'm renting a commercial arcade and I'm lucky enough to have someone willing to share it with me by paying me a sum of money each month that will help me out. However, I want to keep the lease on my own. Can the landlord object to this transaction? Gérard, Genève You are about to...
Can I take action against my landlord? "In your article last Monday, you explained how to take action against an odour nuisance neighbour. I too suffer from this kind of nuisance but I don't have the means to take legal action. Can't I ask my local authority to take action?
Can I have my neighbour's hedge trimmed? "My neighbours' hedge has been overhanging our property for several months. Unlike in previous years, they haven't trimmed it since September and it's becoming a real nuisance. In addition to the aesthetic and shading inconveniences, the plants are encroaching on our property and we're...
Can I make my cat my sole heir? "I'm the owner of a magnificent show cat and I'm in good financial health, but as I'm on my own, I'd like to know if there's a legal provision that would allow me to name my favourite companion as my sole heir? Michèle, Geneva According to art. 467...
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