English in Law, Courts and Administration — conclusion

Conclusion of Chapter II

English has entered Swiss law and administration in stages, but it has not become an official language. Federal legislation is published in German, French and Italian, with unofficial English translations. Company law allows accounts and annual reports in English, but the commercial register of Zug works in German. The tax administration communicates in German, with English information for foreign taxpayers. The revised Civil Procedure Code of 2025 allows the cantons to offer English-language proceedings and international commercial courts. Zurich and Bern have used this possibility, whereas Zug has so far kept German as the only language of its courts. The Federal Supreme Court accepts English submissions in arbitration appeals, and international arbitration in Switzerland is largely conducted in English. The financial market authorities work in English as a matter of course. The democratic institutions of the canton remain German-speaking, which draws a line between the international economy and the political community. Chapter III examines the social and political consequences of that line.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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