
LexCast: Switzerland a Hub for Foundations?
The legal structure and the location are key when setting up a philantropic venture. WBR (World Bicycle Relief’s) is a US charity that set up a Swiss foundation in 2018 with the assistance of FRORIEP.

The legal structure and the location are key when setting up a philantropic venture. WBR (World Bicycle Relief’s) is a US charity that set up a Swiss foundation in 2018 with the assistance of FRORIEP.

Anyone who establishes a foundation and leads it as the chairman of the board, together with other trusted board members, should consider how it will proceed after the potential occurrence of resignation, incapacity to act, or death. Should one’s own family, especially the heirs, continue to operate the foundation in influential positions?

In this episode of LexCast hosted by Froriep, Mark Montanari talks with Cornelia Mattig about the newly proposed amendment of the Collective Investment Schemes Act by the Federal Council. The changes are intended to create a new fund category called Limited Qualified Investor Fund. This Fund would not need an authorisation or approval from FINMA nor would it be supervised by FINMA.

The Swiss Federal Council initiated a consultation on an amendment of the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (CISA), aiming to introduce a new, unregulated fund category called “Limited Qualified Investor Fund (L-QIF)”, reserved exclusively for qualified investors. By introducing the L-QIF, Switzerland establishes a Swiss fund category similar to the Luxembourg Reserved Alternativ…

On 19 May 2019, with a majority of 66.4%, Switzerland approved the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (Tax Reform). Main goal of the Tax Reform is to abolish certain criticized tax features which will be replaced by internationally accepted tax regimes. Thereby Switzerland will remain attractive as a business location and will secure a reasonable amount of tax revenues. The new rules bri…

The Swiss Supreme Court reversed a decision held by the Federal Administrative Court in the trademark Apple case involving jewelry and videogames. According to the Swiss Supreme Court, APPLE can be protected as a trademark for jewelry (cl. 14) and electronic toys including computer games (cl. 28). The court finds that APPLE is one of the most well-known brands in the world. Thus, the average cons…

The Swiss Federal Council has proposed new sustainability reporting requirements to align with EU regulations, set to take effect in 2026. These new requirements will substantially expand the scope of companies required to report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters, introduce stricter disclosure standards, and mandate transition plans for net-zero emissions. Meanwhile, the Euro…