Market Intelligence

Switzerland's new Transparency Act requires companies to identify and report beneficial owners based on control thresholds and governance rights. This analysis examines how M&A transactions, investor agreements, and contractual veto rights trigger reporting obligations, exploring five critical considerations for structuring deals while maintaining compliance with the federal Transparency Register requirements.

CONVINUS presents its Fall 2026 Global Mobility Insights Newsletter, offering comprehensive updates on international workforce mobility regulations, immigration policies, and cross-border employment frameworks. The publication examines legal developments affecting workers moving to Switzerland and provides strategic guidance for organizations managing global talent deployment across multiple jurisdictions.

Starting October 1, 2026, Swiss companies must register their beneficial owners in the new federal transparency register, as internal records will no longer suffice. With transition periods expiring for many companies in the first half of 2027 and intentional violations carrying fines up to CHF 500,000, understanding who is affected, who qualifies as a beneficial owner, and what deadlines apply is crucial for compliance.

As AI becomes embedded in life sciences R&D, companies face a critical strategic question: where does the real intellectual property value lie in their AI-enabled technologies? The answer increasingly points beyond the AI model itself to the complete technology architecture—encompassing data provenance, workflow integration, and the technical interfaces between software, biology, and physical processes.

Partner Julia Henninger and Marco Frigg explore the critical yet often underestimated role of inheritance authorities in will opening proceedings and certificate of inheritance issuance. Their analysis reveals how these provisional decisions significantly influence subsequent inheritance disputes and calls for enhanced clarity in the review principles governing such proceedings.

The Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities introduces new requirements for identifying beneficial owners through direct interests. While the 25 percent threshold appears straightforward, practical implementation involves navigating complex issues including fiduciary arrangements, voting rights provisions, and the precise timing of control acquisition in corporate transactions.