The measures adopted by the federal Swiss authorities to
mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) have an impact on
ongoing legal proceedings. With Ordinances published on 13 March
2020 and 20 March 2020, the Federal Council ordered a temporary
legal standstill in debt collection proceedings and an extended
judicial court recess. On 9 April 2020, the Federal Council
announced that it does not intend to extend the legal standstill
beyond 19 April 2020, but that it will take other measures to
prevent a wave of bankruptcies due to the corona pandemic.
Legal standstill in debt collection proceedings
On the basis of Art. 62 of the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy
Act ("DEBA" / SchKG), the Federal Council has
ordered a "legal standstill" (Rechtsstillstand /
suspension / sospensione) of debt collection proceedings from
19 March to 4 April 2020. During such standstill, debt collection
proceedings are stayed and measures by the enforcement authorities
such as:
