Swiss Arbitration Law

Switzerland has two sets of Swiss arbitration laws: the uniquely liberal Chapter 12 of the Swiss Private International Law Act (PILA) – also known as the Swiss arbitration act for international arbitration, and the more regulative Part 3 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) for domestic arbitration.

In force since 1989 and updated 2021, Chapter 12 PILA is the core of Switzerland’s international arbitration law, providing an efficient framework to support parties and arbitral tribunals in efficiently resolving disputes, with minimal interference except to ensure the essential integrity of the process. Challenges against arbitral awards are decided directly by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, and in only six months on average. In about 93% of cases, the Federal Supreme Court upholds the award, only sanctioning serious irregularities, such as violations of due process or lack of jurisdiction.

Arbitrations under Swiss arbitration law are frequently conducted using the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, which work alongside this legal framework to give parties a complete, efficient procedure from start to finish.
For domestic cases, the more extensive domestic arbitration law in Part 3 CPC has, since its entry into force in 2011, been providing useful guidance to less experienced parties, and protection to weaker parties such as employees or tenants.