Service of Process

Switzerland is a party to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, which provides the framework for international service of process in Zurich, Switzerland. Switzerland has specific requirements governing the language of documents to be served. Where the addressee does not voluntarily accept the documents, formal service requires them to be written in, or accompanied by a translation into, German, French, or Italian, depending on the linguistic region in which service is to be effected. Switzerland also objects to certain alternative methods of transmission under the Convention, making compliance with the applicable Hague procedures particularly important.

INFORMAL SERVICE

Switzerland has objected to the methods of transmission provided under Article 10 of the Hague Service Convention of 1965. As a result, the alternative methods of transmission under Article 10—including direct service by postal channels or through judicial officers, officials, or other competent persons—are not available in Switzerland. Service of foreign judicial and extrajudicial documents in Switzerland must therefore be effected through the applicable formal procedures under the Hague Service Convention and Swiss law.

FORMAL SERVICE

Formal service in Switzerland is conducted through the Hague Service Convention’s Central Authority channel. Under Article 2, Switzerland has designated cantonal authorities as Central Authorities responsible for receiving requests for service from other Contracting States and proceeding in accordance with the Convention. Under Article 5(1), the receiving Central Authority serves the documents itself or arranges to have them served in accordance with Swiss Civil Procedure Code.

PUBLICATION

Service by Publication is an alternative to personal service when a defendant's address is not known. Your court will require that you conduct a Due Diligence Search before issuing a court order allowing for service by publication. We handle the entire process, including the due diligence search affidavit, and preparing the Application and Order for Publication. We will provide all forms necessary for you to submit to your local court. Once the Order is signed by the judge, we will publish the entire file for one low rate of $995.00 and provide Proof of Publication.

Obtaining Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters

Switzerland is a contracting party to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil and Commercial Matters and has designated multiple Central Authorities to handle Letters of Request, with the appropriate authority determined by the Swiss canton in which the evidence or witness is located. Letters of Request must be submitted in, or accompanied by a translation into, German, French, or Italian, depending on the relevant canton. Requests seeking the compulsory taking of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention may be sent directly by the requesting U.S. court or applicant to the designated Central Authority in the applicable Swiss canton and do not need to be transmitted through diplomatic channels.

Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses

Voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in Zurich, Switzerland require prior authorization from the Federal Department of Justice and Police. Requests from foreign jurisdictions must be submitted to the Central Authority of the canton where the deposition will occur or where the witness is located. Under Swiss criminal law, attorneys who attempt to conduct depositions or effect service of process in Zurich, Switzerland through unauthorized means may be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.

Process Service Network serves legal documents in all countries of the world, including Switzerland. We can assist with the service of legal documents in Switzerland through the applicable procedures and channels permitted under the Hague Service Convention and Swiss law.

Process Service Network specializes in process service in Zurich, Switzerland, as well as Geneva, Basel, and other cities. We are one of the few firms that handle international service of process and investigations and offer competitive rates. We have been in business since 1978 and have developed close working relationships with key individuals in most countries throughout the world. The founder and CEO of Process Service Network was a Political Science major in college with a focus on international Relations and is actively involved in a worldwide organization through which he has developed business and personal relationships in over 80 nations worldwide. He is also an International Circle Member of the World Affairs Council and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association (ABA).

Unlike some of our competitors who claim to be experts, we actually are familiar with the laws, customs and current practices in the countries where documents are to be served. With offices in several countries, serving major regions around the world, we stay on top of current events and service strategies. Our personal relationships and close dealings with the judicial authorities in the U.S. Department of State and many countries allow us to have a better understanding of their procedures and requirements.