Switzerland: International Law

In a ruling the Federal Supreme Court has held in 4A_454/2025 of 3rd March 2026 that PostFinance cannot refuse basic payment services to a client solely on the basis of US and UK sanctions designations where the client does not appear on any Swiss sanctions list.

Anne Laure Bandle's column "Droit dans l'Art" explores the evolving legal landscape of the art world, from Switzerland's tightened cultural property regulations to the challenges posed by AI-generated artworks.

In decision 4A_305/2025 of 13 March 2026, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court held that Swiss sanctions against Russia are overriding mandatory law and apply irrespective of the otherwise applicable law. The Court reasoned that the Swiss Ukraine Ordinance serves Switzerland’s core foreign-policy objectives and therefore applies as overriding mandatory law.