The Local Switzerland

Top Europe rights court to issue landmark climate verdicts

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:48:03 +0200

Europe's top rights court will on Tuesday issue unprecedented verdicts in three separate cases on the responsibility of states in the face of global warming, rulings that could force governments to adopt more ambitious climate policies.

Why Switzerland's extremely high prisoner escape rate is 'good news'

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:12:44 +0200

Switzerland has the highest prisoner escape rate in Europe, according to a major new report. Here's why this is no bad thing.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch wins latest trademark battle with Apple

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 22:39:07 +0200

A top Swiss court on Thursday handed the watchmaker Swatch victory in a trademark dispute with US technology giant Apple – the latest in a series of legal disputes between the two firms.

Crime in Switzerland: what the latest figures reveal

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 10:40:54 +0100

A new report shines a light on the state of crime in Switzerland, here are the details.

Revealed: the surprising extent of petty theft in Switzerland

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:34:23 +0100

While people in Switzerland have a reputation for being a law-abiding bunch, a new survey reveals a surprisingly high rate of petty theft in the country.

Sneak preview: Switzerland's new 'on-the-spot' fines for 2020

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 15:00:33 +0100

From January 2020, a whole range of minor offences will no longer result in criminal proceedings in Switzerland.

Calls for legislation to protect cyclists on Swiss roads

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 14:12:36 +0200

Vehicles should be required by law to give cyclists 1.5 metres of space when overtaking, says Matthias Aebischer, President of the Pro Velo cycling group and Social Democrat Party politician.

Criminals escaping justice because of overcrowded courts

Mon, 28 May 2018 12:11:30 +0200

Swiss prosecutors say red tape and a rise in the number of cases mean they don’t have time to properly investigate serious crimes.

Swiss supreme court rules on fate of Siamese cat

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:31:12 +0100

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court is empowered to decide on all manner of issues of gravity and import: recently it was the fate of Siamese cat.

Swiss government slams SVP’s self-determination initiative

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:48:40 +0200

The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) proposal to put Swiss law above international law would weaken Switzerland and threaten human rights, the Federal Council has said.

Swiss lawyers to help Qataris sue over Gulf blockade

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:43:53 +0200

A top Qatari human rights group said on Wednesday it will employ Swiss lawyers to seek compensation for those impacted by the decision of Gulf countries to cut ties with the emirate.

Jogger attacked by two Boxer dogs in Yvorne

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:46:24 +0100

A woman out jogging on Monday evening in Yvorne in the canton of Vaud suffered wounds to her legs and an arm after being set upon by two Boxer dogs.

Minister defends tougher surveillance measures

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:15:03 +0200

Swiss Defence Minister Guy Parmelin says Switzerland is currently not adequately protected against terrorist threats.

Saudis warn tourists to respect Swiss burqa ban

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 12:22:01 +0200

The Saudi Arabian embassy in Bern has warned its citizens visiting Switzerland this summer to be careful not to break the law.

Swiss lawyer warns of deadly threat from robots

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 12:53:00 +0200

The threat to humans from robots is no longer the stuff of science-fiction according to a Swiss lawyer who has proposed an international treaty to protect us – and the robots – from harm.

Bern backs harsher sentence for homegrown terrorists

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:46:03 +0100

Swiss citizens who engage in terrorist activities abroad should get a minimum of ten years in prison, the federal government has said.

Meat-lover flouts Swiss law with 70kg import

Fri, 03 Oct 2014 11:42:58 +0200

A woman from Basel can expect a steep fine after border guards caught her trying to import 70 kilogrammes of meat – 70 times the legal limit – into Switzerland.

Swiss customers react to 1kg meat import limit

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:36:00 +0200

Butchers in Italian border towns have seen a 25 to 30 percent reduction in trade after a Swiss law limiting the importation of meat to one kilogramme came into force on July 1st.

'Lonely' Italian went to Switzerland to die

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:45:00 +0100

An elderly Italian woman missing from her home in the northern Italian city of Vicenza since the end of January had travelled to Switzerland to end her life, Italian media reported.

Government plans new asset-freezing law

Thu, 26 May 2011 15:45:00 +0200

The Swiss government said on Thursday that it would consider creating a new law to make it easier to freeze the assets of foreign dictators.