Mandatory Conciliation in Switzerland

The Principle (art. 197 CPC)

Mandatory prior to most civil proceedings. Before a conciliation authority (typically a justice of the peace or conciliation tribunal).

Exceptions (art. 198-199 CPC)

Summary proceedings, civil status actions, certain divorce effects, commercial court actions, disputes over CHF 100,000 with mutual waiver. Parties may waive by mutual agreement above CHF 100,000 (art. 199 para. 1 CPC).

Process

Request (art. 202 CPC): simple, designating the opposing party and conclusions. No legal reasoning needed. Summons (art. 203 CPC): personal attendance mandatory (art. 204 para. 1 CPC). Claimant's default = withdrawal (art. 206 para. 1 CPC). Defendant's default = authorisation to proceed (art. 206 para. 2 CPC). Hearing: informal, confidential. Statements cannot be used in court (art. 205 para. 1 CPC).

Outcomes

Agreement (art. 208 CPC): recorded in minutes, force of a binding judgment. Judgment proposal (art. 210 CPC): for disputes up to CHF 5,000. Becomes binding if no party objects within 20 days. Decision (art. 212 CPC): for disputes up to CHF 2,000, at claimant's request. Authorisation to proceed (art. 209 CPC): if conciliation fails. Valid three months; claim must be filed within that period (art. 209 para. 3 CPC).

Costs

Modest: typically CHF 100-500. Free for tenancy and employment law (art. 113 para. 2 CPC).