The judiciary is the third branch of the powers of state, alongside the legislature and the executive. It is essentially embodied in the Federal Supreme Court, the highest court in Switzerland.
The highest court in Switzerland
The Federal Supreme Court is the highest court in Switzerland. It embodies the third branch of the powers of state, the judiciary, alongside the Federal Assembly, which makes the law (the legislature) and the Federal Council, which implements the law (the executive). The Federal Supreme Court, based in Lausanne, comprises two public law divisions, two civil divisions and one criminal division. Its two welfare law divisions are based in Lucerne.
Following the justice reforms in the year 2000, three new federal courts of first instance were created: the Federal Criminal Court, based in Bellinzona; the Federal Administrative Court, based in St. Gallen and the Federal Patent Court, also based in St.Gallen.
The Federal Supreme Court is independent and bound only by the law. Federal court judges are elected by the United Federal Assembly (i.e. joint session of the the National Council and the Council of States).
Last modification 17.04.2015