Switzerland: Corporate/Commercial Law

Switzerland's latest cartel law reform introduces significant changes to competition assessment methodology and merger control procedures. While the reform modernizes merger review by adopting the SIEC test, it simultaneously creates a paradox by potentially diverging from EU standards in how agreements between undertakings are evaluated, raising questions about the balance between effects-based analysis and legal certainty.

Bär & Karrer, a Swiss law firm, provides comprehensive legal and business solutions. Contact their Zurich office for expert assistance with legal advice, business inquiries, and professional services tailored to your needs.

Bär & Karrer, a Swiss law firm, provides comprehensive legal services and business solutions. Contact their Zurich office for expert assistance with legal matters, or reach out through their online inquiry form for personalized support.

As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday service delivery across consulting, development, outsourcing, and professional services, suppliers are routinely using AI tools to process client data and generate work product—often without any contractual framework governing how.

Switzerland's new transparency regime for legal entities and beneficial owners enters into force on 1 October 2026, requiring companies to identify, verify, document and report their beneficial owners to a federal Transparency Register. With short transition periods and practical implications for banks, financial intermediaries and advisers, organizations need to understand who is affected, what must be reported, how the register will operate, and what steps to take now to prepare for compliance.

Ireland has introduced temporary measures to address delays in processing applications for renewal of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP card). These measures allow eligible individuals with pending renewal applications to continue travel.

Switzerland continues to attract internationally mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, drawn by its political stability, strong legal framework, and favourable tax environment.

On 4 February 2026, the Swiss Alternative Investments Forum convened leading voices from capital markets, energy, real estate, venture capital and other alternative asset classes at the Zunfthaus zur Zimmerleuten in Zurich.

The jurisdiction of Switzerland offers numerous advantages.

In our ever-evolving global market, collaboration remains the cornerstone of our success. Our strength lies in our ability to connect, share knowledge, and learn from one another across borders. This bi-monthly edition highlights exactly that – bringing the pulse of GGI directly to your desk.

With the new Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners (LETA), Switzerland is establishing, for the first time, a central electronic register of the beneficial owners of companies (transparency register). The LETA, the related ordinance (LETO) and the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) will enter into force on 1 October 2026.

Switzerland's new transparency regime for legal entities and beneficial owners enters into force on 1 October 2026, requiring companies to identify, verify, document and report their beneficial owners to a federal Transparency Register. With short transition periods and practical implications for banks, financial intermediaries and advisers, organizations need to understand who is affected, what must be reported, how the register will operate, and what steps to take now to prepare for compliance.