Suisse – Indemnité de clientèle pour la résiliation d’un contrat de distribution

27 juin 2022

  • Suisse
  • Distribution

Résumé rapide – D’après le droit suisse, un distributeur peut avoir droit à une indemnité de clientèle après la résiliation d’un contrat de distribution. La Cour suprême suisse a décidé que le Code suisse des obligations, qui accorde aux agents commerciaux un droit inaliénable à une indemnité pour les clients acquis à la fin de la relation d’agence, peut être appliqué par analogie aux relations de distribution dans certaines circonstances.

En Suisse, les contrats de distribution sont des contrats innommés, c’est-à-dire des contrats qui ne sont pas spécifiquement régis par le Code suisse des obligations (« CO »). Les contrats de distribution sont principalement régis par les dispositions générales du droit suisse des contrats. En outre, certaines dispositions du droit suisse des agences (articles 418a et suivants CO) peuvent être appliquées par analogie aux relations de distribution.

En particulier en ce qui concerne les conséquences de la résiliation d’un contrat de distribution, le Tribunal fédéral a décidé dans un arrêt de principe de 2008 (BGE 134 III 497) concernant un contrat de distribution exclusive que l’article 418u CO peut être appliqué par analogie aux contrats de distribution. L’article 418u CO donne droit à l’agent commercial à une indemnité de clientèle (parfois aussi appelée « compensation de clientèle ») à la fin de la relation d’agence.

L’indemnité de clientèle est un moyen de dédommager l’agent pour avoir « cédé » sa clientèle au mandant à la fin du rapport d’agence.

L’évaluation du droit d’un distributeur à une indemnité de clientèle se fait en deux étapes : Dans un premier temps, il convient d’analyser si les conditions stipulées par le Tribunal fédéral pour une application analogue de l’article 418u CO au rapport de distribution en cause sont remplies. Dans l’affirmative, il convient d’analyser, dans un deuxième temps, si toutes les conditions d’une indemnité de clientèle prévues à l’article 418u CO sont remplies.

Application par analogie de l’article 418u CO au contrat de distribution

Une application par analogie de l’article 418u CO aux accords de distribution suppose que le distributeur soit intégré dans une large mesure dans l’organisation de distribution du fournisseur. En raison de cette forte intégration, les distributeurs doivent se trouver dans une position d’agent et ne disposer que d’une autonomie économique limitée.

Les critères suivants indiquent une forte intégration dans l’organisation de distribution du fournisseur

  • le distributeur doit respecter des obligations d’achat minimales;
  • le fournisseur a le droit de modifier unilatéralement les prix et les conditions de livraison;
  • le fournisseur a le droit de mettre fin unilatéralement à la fabrication et à la distribution des produits couverts par l’accord;
  • le distributeur est tenu de respecter des obligations de dépenses minimales de marketing;
  • le distributeur est tenu de maintenir des stocks minimums de produits contractuels;
  • l’accord de distribution impose au distributeur des obligations de rapports périodiques (par exemple, concernant les ventes réalisées et les activités des concurrents);
  • le fournisseur a le droit d’inspecter les livres du distributeur et de procéder à des audits;
  • il est interdit au distributeur de continuer à distribuer les produits après la fin de la relation de distribution.

Plus ces éléments sont nombreux dans un contrat de distribution, plus il y a de chances que l’article 418u CO puisse être appliqué par analogie au rapport de distribution en cause. En revanche, si aucun ou seulement quelques-uns de ces éléments sont présents, l’article 418u CO ne sera probablement pas applicable et aucune indemnité de clientèle ne sera due.

Conditions à remplir pour avoir droit à une indemnité de clientèle

Si une application analogue de l’article 418u CO peut être affirmée, l’évaluation se poursuit. Il s’agit alors d’analyser si toutes les conditions d’une indemnité de clientèle prévues à l’article 418u CO sont remplies. Dans cette deuxième étape, l’évaluation ressemble au test à effectuer pour les relations d’agence commerciale « normales ».

Appliqué par analogie aux relations de distribution, l’article 418u CO permet aux distributeurs de bénéficier d’une indemnité de clientèle lorsque quatre conditions sont remplies:

  • extension considérable de la clientèle par le distributeur.

Premièrement, les activités du distributeur doivent avoir entraîné une « extension considérable » de la clientèle du fournisseur. Les activités du distributeur peuvent non seulement inclure le ciblage de clients spécifiques, mais aussi la création d’une nouvelle marque du fournisseur.

En raison du peu de jurisprudence disponible auprès de la Cour suprême suisse, il existe une incertitude juridique quant à la signification de l’expression « expansion considérable ». Deux éléments semblent prédominants : d’une part le nombre absolu de clients et d’autre part le chiffre d’affaires réalisé avec ces clients. La clientèle existant au début de la relation de distribution doit être comparée à la clientèle à la fin de l’accord. La différence doit être positive.

  • Le fournisseur doit continuer à bénéficier de la clientèle

Deuxièmement, le fournisseur doit tirer des avantages considérables, même après la fin de la relation de distribution, des relations commerciales avec les clients acquis par le distributeur.

Cette deuxième exigence comprend deux aspects importants:

Premièrement, le fournisseur doit avoir accès à la base de clientèle, c’est-à-dire savoir qui sont les clients. Dans les relations d’agence, cela ne pose généralement pas de problème puisque les contrats sont conclus entre les clients et le mandant, qui connaîtra donc l’identité des clients. En revanche, dans les relations de distribution, la connaissance par le fournisseur de l’identité des clients nécessite régulièrement une divulgation des listes de clients par le distributeur, que ce soit pendant ou à la fin de la relation de distribution.

Deuxièmement, il doit y avoir une certaine loyauté des clients envers le fournisseur, de sorte que le fournisseur puisse continuer à faire des affaires avec ses clients après la fin de la relation de distribution. C’est le cas, par exemple, si les détaillants acquis par un ancien distributeur en gros continuent à acheter des produits directement au fournisseur après la fin de la relation avec le distributeur en gros. En outre, un fournisseur peut également continuer à bénéficier des clients acquis par le distributeur s’il peut réaliser des activités après-vente rentables, par exemple en fournissant des consommables, des pièces de rechange et en proposant des services d’entretien et de réparation.

La jurisprudence suisse distingue deux types de clients différents : les clients personnels et les clients réels. Les premiers sont liés au distributeur en raison d’une relation de confiance particulière et restent généralement avec le distributeur lorsque la relation de distribution prend fin. Les seconds sont attachés à une marque ou à un produit et suivent normalement le fournisseur. En principe, seuls les clients réels peuvent donner lieu à une indemnité de clientèle.

L’évolution du chiffre d’affaires du fournisseur après la fin d’une relation de distribution peut servir d’indication pour la fidélité des clients. Une forte baisse du chiffre d’affaires et la nécessité pour le fournisseur (ou le nouveau distributeur) d’acquérir de nouveaux clients ou de réacquérir d’anciens clients suggèrent que les clients ne sont pas fidèles, de sorte qu’aucune indemnité de clientèle ne serait due.

  • Équité de l’indemnité de clientèle

Troisièmement, une indemnité de clientèle ne doit pas être inéquitable. Les circonstances suivantes pourraient rendre une indemnité de clientèle inéquitable:

  • le distributeur a pu réaliser une marge extraordinairement élevée ou a reçu d’autres rémunérations qui constituent une contrepartie suffisante pour la valeur des clients transmis au fournisseur;
  • la relation de distribution a duré longtemps, de sorte que le distributeur a déjà eu amplement l’occasion de profiter économiquement des clients acquis
  • en contrepartie du respect d’une obligation de non-concurrence post-contractuelle, le distributeur reçoit une compensation spéciale.

En tout état de cause, les tribunaux disposent d’un pouvoir discrétionnaire considérable lorsqu’ils décident si une indemnité de clientèle est équitable.

  • Résiliation non causée par le distributeur

Quatrièmement, la relation de distribution ne doit pas avoir pris fin pour une raison imputable au distributeur.

Ce sera notamment le cas si le fournisseur a mis fin au contrat de distribution pour une raison imputable au distributeur, par exemple en cas de violation des obligations contractuelles ou de performance insuffisante du distributeur.

En outre, aucune indemnité de clientèle ne sera due dans le cas où le distributeur a lui-même résilié le contrat de distribution, à moins que cette résiliation ne soit justifiée par des raisons imputables au fournisseur (par exemple, une violation de l’exclusivité accordée au distributeur par le fournisseur).

Une indemnité de clientèle n’est pas seulement due en cas de résiliation d’un contrat de distribution à durée indéterminée, mais aussi en cas d’expiration ou de non-renouvellement d’un contrat de distribution à durée déterminée.

Quantum d’une indemnité de clientèle

Lorsque l’article 418u CO est applicable par analogie à un rapport de distribution et que toutes les conditions susmentionnées pour une indemnité de clientèle sont remplies, l’indemnité due au distributeur peut s’élever jusqu’au gain annuel net du distributeur provenant du rapport de distribution, calculé comme la moyenne des gains des cinq dernières années. Si la relation de distribution a duré moins longtemps, la moyenne des gains sur toute la durée de la relation de distribution est déterminante.

Pour calculer le bénéfice annuel net, le distributeur doit déduire des revenus obtenus par la relation de distribution (par exemple, la marge brute, les rémunérations supplémentaires, etc.) les coûts liés à ses activités (par exemple, les frais de marketing, les frais de déplacement, les salaires, les frais de location, etc.) Une activité déficitaire ne peut donner lieu à une indemnité de survaleur.

Dans le cas où un distributeur a commercialisé des produits provenant de différents fournisseurs, il doit calculer le bénéfice annuel net sur une base spécifique au produit, c’est-à-dire limitée aux produits du fournisseur spécifique. Le distributeur ne peut pas calculer une indemnité de clientèle sur la base de son activité dans son ensemble. Les coûts fixes doivent être répartis proportionnellement, dans la mesure où ils ne peuvent être affectés à une relation de distribution spécifique.

Caractère obligatoire du droit à l’indemnité de survaleur

Les fournisseurs tentent régulièrement d’exclure les indemnités de clientèle dans les accords de distribution. Toutefois, si une application analogue de l’article 418u CO au contrat de distribution est justifiée et que toutes les conditions pour une indemnité de clientèle sont remplies, le droit est obligatoire et ne peut être exclu contractuellement à l’avance. De telles dispositions seraient nulles et non avenues.

Cela dit, les dispositions spécifiques des accords de distribution traitant de l’indemnité de clientèle, comme par exemple les dispositions contractuelles qui traitent de la manière dont le fournisseur doit indemniser le distributeur pour les clients acquis, restent pertinentes.De telles règles pourraient rendre le droit à une indemnité de survaleur de clientèle.

QUICK SUMMARY: Contract negotiations do not take place in a legal vacuum. A party who negotiates contrary to the principle of good faith and then breaks off negotiations may become liable to the other party. However, the requirements for such liability are high and the enforcement of damage claims is cumbersome. At the end of the post I will share some practical tips for contract negotiations in Switzerland.

Under Swiss law, the principle of freedom of contract is of fundamental importance. It follows from the freedom of contract that, in principle, everyone is free to enter into contract negotiations and to terminate them again without incurring any liability. A termination of contract negotiations does not have to be justified either.

However, the freedom of contract is limited by the obligation to act in good faith (cf. article 2 para. 1 of the Swiss Civil Code), which is of equal fundamental importance. From the moment when parties enter into contract negotiations, they are in a special legal relationship with each other. That pre-contractual relationship involves certain reciprocal obligations. In particular, the parties must negotiate in a serious manner and in accordance with their actual intentions.

Negotiating parties must not stir up the hope of the other party, contrary to their actual intentions, that a contract will actually be concluded. Put differently, a party’s willingness to conclude a contract must not be expressed more strongly than it actually is. If a party realizes that the other party wrongly beliefs that a contract would certainly be concluded, such illusion should be dispelled in due course.

A negotiating party that terminates contract negotiations in violation of these principles, whether maliciously or negligently, may become liable to the other party based on the culpa in contrahendo doctrine. However, such liability exists in exceptional cases only.

  • The fact that contract negotiations took a long time is not sufficient for incurring such liability. The duration of negotiations is, in itself, not decisive.
  • It is not possible to derive liability from pre-existing contractual relationships between the negotiation parties, as for example in cases where parties negotiate a « mere » prolongation of an existing agreement. The decisive factor is not whether parties were already contractually bound before, but only whether the party that terminated the contract negotiations made the other party believe that a new agreement would certainly be concluded.
  • It is not decisive whether the party who terminates contract negotiations knows that the other party has already made costly investments in view of the prospective contract. In principle, anyone who makes investments already prior to the actual conclusion of a contract does so at its own risk. Even where a party to contract negotiations knows that the other party has already made (substantial) investments in the prospective agreement, a termination of the contract negotiations will, in itself, not be considered as an act of bad faith.

What does a liability for breaking off negotiations include?

If a party violates the aforementioned pre-contractual obligations, the other party may be entitled to compensation for the so-called negative interest. This means that the other party must be put in the position it would have been if the negotiations had not taken place. Damages may include, e.g., expenses in connection with the negotiation of the contract (travel costs, legal fees etc.), but also a loss of income in cases where a party was not able to do business with third parties because of the contract negotiations. However, the other party has no right to be treated as if the contract had been concluded (so-called positive interest).

Having said that, it must be kept in mind that the requirements set by Swiss court for the substantiation of damages are rather high, so that the enforcement of a liability for breaking off negotiations will often be a cumbersome process. Therefore pursuing damage claims with relatively low amounts in dispute might often require a disproportionate effort.

Practical tips – Do’s and don’ts when negotiating contracts

  • Do not overstate your willingness to conclude a contract. Be frank with your counterparty. Make it clear from the beginning of the negotiations what clauses are important to you.
  • Do not tell the other party that you are willing to sign a contract, if you still have doubts or you are even unwilling to do so. Confirm that you will sign only if you are convinced to do so.
  • Do not allow someone else (e.g., a representative, employee, branch office etc.) to negotiate on your behalf if you are not willing to enter into an agreement anyway. Keep an eye on how the negotiations are going on and intervene if necessary.
  • Do not make costly investments before a legally binding agreement is concluded. If, for time or other reasons, such investments are necessary already before the conclusion of an agreement, insist on the conclusion of an interim contract governing such investments for the event that the envisaged agreement is not concluded finally.

In 2020, an important revision of the Swiss statute of limitations enters into force. The new law provides for longer limitation periods in cases of personal injury and extends the relative limitation periods in tort and unjust enrichment law from one to three years.

Background of the revision

In June 2018, the Swiss parliament adopted an amendment to the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) pertaining to a revision of the statute of limitations. In November 2018, the Swiss government decided that the revised statute of limitations shall enter into force on 1 January 2020.

The revision was significantly influenced by asbestos cases. Under the current law, damage claims of asbestos victims were time-barred in some cases even before asbestos-related diseases could be diagnosed. In March 2014, the European Court of Human Rights held in Howald Moor and others v. Switzerland that the Swiss statute of limitations amounts in such cases to a violation of article 6 paragraph 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right of access to a court).

Having said that, the revision does not only concern cases of personal injury, but also includes numerous other important changes as described in the following.

Key changes regarding limitation periods

A. Tort law

In tort law, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage and of the identity of the person liable (revised Art. 60 para. 1 CO). Under the current law, the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

With the exception of cases of personal injury, the absolute limitation period remains ten years as from the date when the conduct that caused the damages occurred or ended (revised Art. 60 para. 1 CO).

In cases of personal injury, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage and of the identity of the person liable. Currently the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

The new absolute limitation period in cases of personal injury amounts to twenty years after the date when the conduct which caused the damages occurred or ended (new Art. 60 para. 1bis CO). Under the current law, there was no special absolute limitation period for cases of personal injury, so that the ordinary 10-year period applied (Art. 60 para. 1 CO).

If conduct, which gives rise to liability under tort law, is also punishable under criminal law, the (longer) limitation period under criminal law remains applicable (cf. Art. 97 of the Swiss Criminal Code). However, where a first-instance criminal judgment is rendered before the conduct is time-barred under criminal law, the limitation periods ends not earlier than three years as from that criminal judgment (revised Art. 60 para. 2 CO). The current law does not provide for such an additional three-year limitation period.

B. Unjust enrichment law

In unjust enrichment law, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years as from the date on which the injured party knows about the claim (revised Art. 67 para. 1 CO). Under the current law, the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

The absolute limitation period is not affected by the revision and remains ten years after the date on which the claim arises (revised Art. 67 para. 1 CO).

C. Contract law

With regard to contractual claims, the ordinary limitation period remains ten years from the due date (Art. 127 CO). Furthermore, the shorter limitation period of five years from the due date applicable to (amongst others) claims for rent, interest on capital and other periodic payments, (most) claims out of employment relationships etc. remains unchanged too (Art. 128 CO).

However, in cases of personal injury, the revised statute of limitations introduces a new relative limitation period of three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage, as well as a new absolute limitation period of twenty years after the date when the conduct which caused the damages occurred or ended (new Art. 128a CO). The current law does not provide for distinct relative and absolute limitation periods for contractual claims in cases of personal injury. Instead, the ordinary ten-year limitation period (Art. 127 CO) usually applied to such cases.

D. Summary

In summary, the most important elements of the revised statute of limitations are the longer (trebled) relative limitation periods in tort and unjust enrichment law (i.e., three years instead of one year) and the new special rules for cases of personal injury, which now benefit from a 20-year absolute limitation period.

Transitional provisions / application of the revised statute of limitations to pre-existing claims

The longer limitation periods under the revised CO apply to any claims that are not yet time-barred when the revision enters into force (i.e., on 1 January 2020; revised Art. 49 para. 1, Final Title of the Swiss Civil Code). In other words, the limitation periods of any claims that do not become time-barred until 31 December 2019 at the latest will be prolonged. This is of particular relevance with regard to claims based on tort and unjust enrichment; the short one-year relative limitation periods under the current law will be extended by another two years.

In contrast, the current law remains applicable in case the revised statute of limitations provides for shorter limitation periods (revised Art. 49 para. 2, Final Title of the Swiss Civil Code). This concerns, in particular, contractual claims in cases of personal injury. The new three-year relative limitation period under the revised law might not apply to such claims, as the current statute of limitations does not provide for a relative limitation period at all.

Further changes brought by the revision

In addition to the changes of the limitation periods set out above, the revision of the statute of limitations contains numerous further modifications. Some of them are listed in the following:

  1. Limitation periods do not commence or are suspended in the event that a claim cannot be asserted for objective reasons before any court worldwide (revised Art. 134 para. 1 no. 6 CO). The current law provides for such non-commencement or suspension only if the claim cannot be brought before a Swiss court.
  2. Parties to a dispute may agree in writing that limitation periods shall be suspended during settlement discussions, mediation proceedings or other out-of-court settlement proceedings (revised Art. 134 para. 1 no. 8 CO).
  3. Once a limitation period has commenced to run, waivers of statute of limitation defenses are admissible, but must not exceed ten years (revised Art. 141 para. 1 CO). Any such waivers must be in writing (new Art. 141 para. 1bis CO).
  4. In general terms and conditions (“GTC”), statute of limitation defenses may be waived by the party who makes use of the GTCs only. In contrast, a waiver by the party on whom the GTCs are imposed (e.g., consumers) is ineffective (new Art. 141 para. 1bis CO).
  5. The limitation period for an actio pauliana under the Swiss Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (“DEBA”) is extended to from currently two years to three years after service of a loss certificate, the opening of bankruptcy proceedings or the confirmation of a composition agreement with an assignment of assets (whichever is applicable; revised Art. 292 DEBA).

How to make sure that your claim can be enforced in the long run? A creditor may freeze assets that a debtor holds in Switzerland if certain conditions are fulfilled. In practice, there are two situations in which one might consider an attachment of assets: the first is where a creditor has a claim against a debtor without domicile in Switzerland; the second is where a creditor holds an enforceable judgment or award.

It is beyond doubt that the Swiss financial sector continues to play a dominant role in the financial world of today despite the regulatory pressure that it faces. The Swiss jurisdiction, therefore, is relevant for creditors who wish to enforce claims against a debtor who holds bank accounts or other assets in Switzerland. Even though practice shows that it is predominantly bank accounts that are being attached, other assets such as real estate, art works or claims against third parties are equally capable of being attached.

Upon application, the Swiss court at the seat of the bank or at the place where the assets are located will grant an ex parte freezing order to a creditor against a debtor with assets in Switzerland, if the applying creditor demonstrates on a prima facie basis that the following three prerequisites of the Swiss Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (« DEBA ») are met:

  • The creditor seeking a freezing order has a mature and unsecured claim;
  • The debtor’s assets are located in Switzerland;
  • A legal ground for a freezing order exists.

As already pointed out, the most relevant grounds for a freezing order are:

  • The debtor is not resident in Switzerland and the claim itself has sufficient connection with Switzerland or is based on an acknowledgement of debt signed by the debtor (« attachment against a non-Swiss resident »);
  • The creditor has an enforceable court decision or arbitral award against the debtor (« enforceable title »).

Attachment against a non-Swiss resident: The mere fact that the assets are located in Switzerland will not suffice to establish a « sufficient connection with Switzerland » in the sense of the DEBA. The requirement of « sufficient connection with Switzerland » very much depends on the specific facts of the case which the Swiss court will review on a case-by-case basis. Swiss courts have confirmed that there was a sufficient connection in cases where the underlying contract was signed or fulfilled in Switzerland, where the underlying contract is governed by Swiss law, where the creditor lives in Switzerland or where the creditor’s claim is linked to a commercial activity in Switzerland.

Enforceable title: In order to rely on the second ground for a freezing order the creditor needs to have an enforceable title. The DEBA makes no distinction between domestic and foreign court decisions or arbitral awards. Provided that they are enforceable (either according to the Lugano Convention, the Swiss Private International Law Act or – in the case of a non-Swiss arbitral award – the New York Convention), all judgments and awards may serve as a ground for an attachment of Swiss assets.

The Swiss court will request the creditor to provide prima facie evidence on the prerequisites of an attachment as outlined above. Because the attachment itself will be granted ex parte, it will, in many instances, take the debtor by surprise. Thanks to this surprise effect and the nature of the attachment, i.e. the fact that it will prevent the debtor from further disposing of the attached assets, the attachment has a great potential for helping the creditor to secure and ultimately satisfy its claim.

Some places are good to go to for arbitration, some places are better avoided. It is not this blog’s aim to hail the former and blame the latter but, rather, to outline why Switzerland certainly is a good choice when it comes to arbitration.

Arbitration clauses are sometimes called “Midnight Clauses”. They are called “Midnight Clauses” because they tend to be the very last clause that parties will negotiate on when trying to contractually finalize a business transaction. If the parties are looking for an excellent dispute resolution mechanism or are having last-minute difficulties in finding a suitable compromise, arbitration in Switzerland might be a valuable alternative. Why? There are a handful of unique selling propositions.

First of all, Switzerland has a long tradition of hosting international arbitrations of all kinds (both ad-hoc and institutional). The tradition dates back more than hundred years. As a consequence of this history and experience, you will find easy access to a great number of excellent legal practitioners, both counsel and arbitrators.

Second, Switzerland is politically neutral and is the seat of many international organizations (WTO, WIPO, IOC, etc.). This ensures an openness of mind to different cultures and values and makes Switzerland a great place for an international arbitration.

Third, Swiss substantive law offers a very liberal, clearly defined and predictable legal framework to its users. As a consequence, Arbitration in Switzerland is ideally combined with a choice of law clause in favour of Swiss substantive law.

Fourth and importantly, Switzerland offers both a very stable legal system and an excellent legal framework. Switzerland’s international arbitration law follows an efficient regime and is comprised of only 18 very concise articles. Furthermore, the Swiss judiciary applies a very arbitration-friendly approach in dealing with challenges of arbitral awards and only interferes in exceptional circumstances. There is only one challenge available and this challenge goes right to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, Switzerland’s highest court. The Supreme Court will not review the merits of the award. It will, however, ensure that the most basic legal principles (public policy) are safe-guarded. Consequently, there are no cost-intense multi step annulment proceedings before state courts. Challenges are generally dealt with within six months.

Fifth, Switzerland offers great infrastructure both in terms of travelling access, hotels, security, court reporting and translation needs.

Last but not least, arbitration in Switzerland offers you great flexibility. You can arbitrate according to the arbitration rules of all of the major institutions, i.e., ICC, Swiss Chambers of Commerce, LCIA, SCC, DIS, AAA, SIAC, HIAC, CIETAC or under Ad-Hoc Rules and will find a suitable ground for your arbitration. For all of these reasons and many more, arbitral awards originating in Switzerland will profit from a great reputation and will be easily enforceable internationally in case of need.

The goal of this short article is to examine the annual business report, mandatory for all Swiss companies. The board of directors prepares the annual business report, which is composed of:

  • The annual financial statements;
  • The annual report, and;
  • The consolidated financial statements if such statement are required by law.

The annual financial statements comprise the following three documents: profit and loss statement (or income statement), balance sheet, and annex.

The profit and loss statement must distinguish between operating and non-operating, as well as extraordinary, income and expenses. Income must be split separately between:

  • Revenues from deliveries and services;
  • Financial income, and;
  • Profits from the disposition of capital assets.

Expense must at least show cost of goods sold, personnel expenses, financial expenses, as well as depreciation.

The balance sheet shall show the current assets and the capital assets, debts and equity. Current assets are divided into liquid assets, claims resulting from deliveries and services, other claims, as well as inventories. Capital assets are divided into financial assets, tangible and intangible assets. The outside funds are divided into debts resulting from deliveries and services, other short-term liabilities, long-term liabilities and provisions. Equity is divided into share capital, legal and other reserves, as well as a profit brought forward. Capital not paid in, the total amount of investments, the claims and liabilities against affiliates or against shareholders, accruals and deferrals, as well as losses carried forward are disclosed separately.

The Annex includes:

  • The total amount of guarantees, indemnity liabilities and pledges in favour of third part;
  • The total amount of assets pledged or assigned for the securing of own liabilities, as well as of assets with retention of title;
  • The total amount of liabilities from leasing contracts not included in the balance sheet;
  • The fire insurance value of assets;
  • Liabilities to personnel welfare institutions;
  • The amounts, interest rates and maturities of bonds issued by the company;
  • Each participation essential for assessing the company’s financial situation;
  • The total amount of dissolved hidden; reserves to the extent that such total amount that exceeds newly formed reserves of the same kind, and thereby show a considerably more favourable result;
  • Information on the object and the amount of revaluations;
  • Information on the acquisition, disposition, and number of own shares held by the company, including its shares held by another company in which it holds a majority participation; equally shown shall be the terms and conditions of such share transactions;
  • The amount of the authorized capital increase and of the capital increase subject to a condition;
  • Other information required by law.

The Annual report describes the development of the business, as well as the economic and the financial situation of the company. It reproduces the auditors’ report.

If the company, by majority vote or by another method joins one or more companies under a common control (group of companies), it is required to prepare consolidated financial statements. The company is exempted from consolidation if it, during two consecutive business years, together with the affiliates, does not exceed two of the following parameters:

  • Balance sheet total: CHF. 10’000’000
  • Revenues: CHF. 20’000’000
  • Average annual number of employees: 200

However, consolidated statements shall be prepared if:

  • the company has outstanding bond issues;
  • the company’s shares are listed on a stock exchange;
  • shareholders representing at least ten per cent of the share capital so request;
  • this is necessary for assessing as reliably as possible the company’s financial condition and profitability.

Swiss valuation principles are conservative. Assets are valued at the lower of cost or market. A full provision for all known liabilities must be made. In addition, the Code gives discretionary powers to the board to value assets at amounts lower than maximum carrying values prescribed by law, or to create hidden reserves. The maximum asset values permissible are set out in articles 664 through 670 of the Code. These are as follows:

Costs of incorporation, capital increase, and organization resulting from the establishment, expansion or reorganization of the business may be included in the balance sheet. They must be shown separately and amortized within five years. Capital assets are to be valued at a maximum of the acquisition or manufacturing costs less the necessary depreciation. Participations and other financial investments are also part of the capital assets. Participations are permanent investments in the capital of subsidiary companies; usually they give a controlling influence in the management of the affiliate. Share blocks representing at least twenty per cent of the votes are classified as participations.

Raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, as well as merchandise, shall be valued at a maximum of the acquisition or manufacturing cost. If the cost is higher than market value on the date of the balance sheet, then market value is used.

Listed securities shall be valued at a maximum of their average stock exchange price during the month preceding the date of the balance sheet. Unquoted securities shall be valued at a maximum of the acquisition cost under deduction of any necessary value adjustments.

Depreciation, value adjustments and provisions should be made to the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles. Provisions are to be established in particular to cover contingent liabilities and potential losses from pending business transactions. The board may take additional depreciation, make value adjustments and provisions and refrain from dissolving provisions, which are no longer justified. Hidden reserves exceeding the above are permitted to the extent justified in the interest of the continuing prosperity of the company or to enable the regular distribution of dividends, taking into account the interests of the shareholders. The auditors must be notified in detail of the creation and the dissolution of replacement reserves and hidden reserves exceeding the above.

If half of the sum of the share capital and legal reserves is lost, real estate property or participations whose fair market value has risen above cost may, for the purpose of eliminating the deficit, be re-valued up to a maximum of such deficit. The revaluation amount shall be shown separately as a revaluation reserve. The revaluation is only permitted if the auditors confirm in writing to the general meeting of shareholders that the legal provisions have been respected.

Companies are required to allocate five per cent of the annual profit to the legal reserve until it has reached twenty per cent of be paid-in share capital. Also, after having reached the statutory amount, the following shall be allocated to this reserve:

  • any surplus over par value upon the issue of new shares;
  • after deduction of the issue costs, to the extent such surplus is not used for depreciation or welfare purposes;
  • the excess of the amount which was paid in on cancelled shares over any reduction on the issue price of replacement shares ten per cent of the amounts which are distributed as a share of profits after payment of a dividend of five per cent.

To the extent it does not exceed half of the share capital, the legal reserve shall only be used to remove an accounting deficit, to preserve the existence of the business enterprise in bad times, to counteract unemployment, or to soften its consequences.

There are no filing requirements in Switzerland for annual financial statements except in the case of banks, finance and insurance companies.

A reduction in capital requires a resolution by the general meeting of shareholders amending the articles. Such an amendment cannot be passed unless a special audit report shows that all claims of creditors are fully covered in spite of the reduction in capital. The auditors’ report must be prepared by a qualified auditor. Prior to implementing the reduction, the board of directors is required to publish the decision three times in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Creditors are to be informed. An exception is made for reductions in the event of capital deficiency. Under no circumstance may the share capital be reduced below SFr. 100,000. In the case of a financial restructuring of the company, the par value of the old shares may however be reduced to less than SFr. 10 each. In spite of a reduction in the par value, a share may still carry the same voting rights as before reduction.

A company may be dissolved for any voluntary reason provided for by the articles or by decision of the general meeting of shareholders. An involuntary dissolution can be imposed upon the company by bankruptcy or a court decision. A court can dissolve a company, for example, in cases where serious violations of legal or statutory provisions have occurred. Furthermore, shareholders representing at least ten per cent of share capital may request dissolution by the court if they have good cause (for example, if minority rights have been violated).

Except in the case of a bankruptcy, the board must register the dissolution of the company with the Commercial Register. During the period of liquidation, the company remains a legal entity and retains its name with the addition in liquidation.  Unless the company appoints special liquidators, the liquidation procedures are carried out by the board. The name of the liquidators is to be registered. At least one of the liquidators must be domiciled in Switzerland and have authority to represent the company.

The term liquidation means that the company’s normal business activities are discontinued and restricted to such operations as are necessary to settle all pending matters. The liquidators must prepare a balance sheet upon assuming their duties. If the balance sheet shows an excess of liabilities over assets, the liquidators must file an application for bankruptcy, unless arrangements can be made for an amicable settlement with the creditors.

In all other cases, the liquidators must attempt to wind up the business (termination of contracts, collection of receivables, payment of outstanding debts) with a view to reaching a final settlement with creditors and shareholders. In this connection, creditors reflected in the books of the company or known in any other way shall be informed of the dissolution of the company in writing and requested to file their claims; unknown creditors and creditors whose domiciles are not known are notified by publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. In order to protect unknown or disputed creditors who have failed to lodge their claims, an appropriate amount of money must be deposited in escrow. A distribution of net assets is postponed until such liabilities have been settled.

After settlement of all liabilities, the remaining net assets of the liquidated company may be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to their holdings and in accordance with the rights attached to their shares. Upon termination of liquidation procedures, the liquidators apply for deregistration and designate a safe place where the books must be kept for a period of ten years. Deregistration is contingent upon express approval by the Federal and Cantonal Tax Administration, to ensure that all taxes on income, capital and distribution have been paid in full.

A resolution dealing with the merger of companies may only be passed at the general meeting of the shareholders, if at least two thirds of the shares are represented. Creditors of merging companies are given special protection.

 The merger procedures can be summarized as follows:

  • The board of directors of the acquiring company must issue a call for registration of claims by the creditors of the company to be dissolved.
  • The net assets of the company to be dissolved must be administered separately by the acquiring company until creditors are satisfied or secured.
  • The dissolution of the absorbed company must be registered in the Commercial Register as soon as creditors have been satisfied or secured.
  • Subsequent to this registration, shares of the acquiring company may be delivered to the shareholders of the absorbed company, according to the contract.

The members of the board of the acquiring company are personally, jointly and severally liable to the creditors of the absorbed company. The net assets of the absorbed company may be used exclusively for the satisfaction of that company’s creditors.

A corporation can be converted into a limited liability company, provided that the capital of the limited liability company is not less than the corporation’s share capital, that shareholders are informed about the possibility of becoming participants in the newly created company, and that their participations amount to at least two thirds of the share capital of the transformed company. Any retiring shareholder is entitled to a proportionate share of the net assets valued at fair market price. With regard to the creditors of the transformed company, the same provisions apply as for mergers. A limited liability company may not be transformed into a corporation. It must be liquidated and a new corporation formed.

There are three bodies in a Swiss corporation, namely: the general meeting of shareholders (the supreme body), the board of directors and the auditors.

Shareholder’s meeting

The general meeting of shareholders is the supreme authority of the company and is composed of all shareholders. There are two types of meetings:

  • Ordinary general meeting. This is held annually within six months after the close of the business year;
  • Extraordinary general meeting, which is called as often as considered necessary.

The general meeting of shareholders has the right to adopt and amend the articles, to appoint directors and auditors, to approve the financial statements and the directors’ report, to ratify certain decisions of the Board, and, in general, to make all important decisions which are not delegated to any other body. The shareholders must also approve the proposal of the Board relative to the distribution of annual profits. A general meeting is called by the board or, if it fails in its duties, by the auditors. One or more shareholders, representing together at least 10 % of the share capital, may at any time request the calling of an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. This must be done in writing, indicating the purpose of the meeting. In general, a simple majority of votes represented at the general meeting is sufficient to pass a resolution and hold elections. However, certain decisions require a vote of two thirds of the votes represented and the absolute majority of the· par value of the shares represented (such as change of corporate purpose, extension of scope of business, distribution of shares with privileged voting rights etc.).

Shareholders cannot be deprived of their acquired rights without their consent. The term acquired rights includes the right to vote, to dividends, to a share of the liquidation proceeds and to receive sufficient information on the financial condition of the company. The Swiss Code distinguishes two kinds of shareholders rights: financial interests and personal membership rights.

Each shareholder has the right to a proportionate share of the profits distributed. Dividends may only be paid out of net profits or out of reserves specially created for this purpose. There is no interest payable on the ordinary share capital and a company may not declare interim dividends out of current year profits. Dividends can only be declared by the general meeting of shareholders and after attribution to the legal reserve. A share of the net profits may be paid to members of the board of directors if:

  • the articles specifically provide for such payments,
  • the allocations to the legal reserve fund have been made and,
  • a dividend of at least five percent has been paid to the shareholders.

Unless otherwise stated in the articles or in the resolution for the increase in share capital, each shareholder has an option to subscribe to new shares in the same proportion that his original holding bears to the total shares issued.

Each shareholder is entitled to a proportionate share of the proceeds of liquidation unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. The proceeds are calculated in proportion to the amounts paid in on the share capital.

Most personal membership rights are acquired rights which means that even with the general meeting’s consent, the shareholder cannot be deprived thereof. These include the following:

  • Shareholders exercise their rights at the general meeting of shareholders. Every shareholder may attend the meeting in person or be represented by his proxy. A holder of bearer shares is considered authorized to attend if he presents the share. On the other hand, registered shares can only be represented if a written proxy is produced.
  • Voting rights.
  • Shareholders are entitled to review the financial statements, which must be available for inspection at the address of the company not later than 20 day prior to the annual general meeting. Any shareholder may request a copy to be sent to him before the meeting.

Board of Directors

The company is managed by the board composed of one or more individual directors who must be shareholders. A majority of board members must be Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland.  If the board consists of a single member, he or she must be a Swiss citizen residing in Switzerland. The directors are elected at the general meeting for a period fixed by the articles (maximum six years). The directors can however be re-elected indefinitely.

The articles may require that during their term of office they must deposit a certain number of shares at the corporation’s registered domicile. This is designed to protect the corporation against damages that directors may cause in the fulfilment of their duties. The board can delegate part of its authority to either an executive committee or to individual directors, to officers or to agents. At least one director must have power and authority to represent the company. The board designates the individuals authorized to represent the company vis-a-vis third parties and determines the details concerning the signatory powers. The company is unrestricted in the selection of its executive personnel, such as managers and officers, although managers and employees of foreign nationality require a permit to take up residence and employment in Switzerland.

The board is responsible for the preparation of the general meeting. It gives the necessary instructions to the management for the proper conduct of the company’s business and supervises those authorized to act on behalf of the company. It is the primary responsibility of the board, although generally delegated to management, to keep the accounting records and to prepare the annual financial statements. Furthermore, the board must submit a written annual report on the company’s financial position and the results of its activities to the general meeting of shareholders.

Auditors

The general meeting of shareholders elects one or more independent auditors who may be individuals or legal entities. Auditors must be professionally qualified to fulfil their duties. At least one auditor must have his domicile, registered office, or a registered branch in Switzerland. The auditors may not serve as directors nor be otherwise employed by the company, nor may they assume managerial functions for the company. Auditors may be elected for a maximum period of three years. Re-election is possible.

Auditors must have special professional qualifications if the audited entity:

  • has outstanding bond issues;
  • has shares listed on a Swiss stock exchange;
  • exceeds two of the following parameters in two consecutive years:
  • Balance sheet total: CHF 20’000’000
  • Revenues: CHF 40’000’000
  • Average number of employees: 200

The auditors must report on whether the accounting records and the financial statements, as well as the proposal concerning the appropriation of the available profit, comply with the law and the articles of incorporation. If the auditors, in the course of their examination, find violations either of law or of the articles, they report this in writing to the board of directors and, in important cases, to the general meeting of shareholders. In the event of obvious over-indebtedness, the auditors must notify the judge if the board fails to do so. Auditors are liable to the shareholders and creditors for damage caused by intentional or negligent failure to perform their duties. The auditors are required to attend the general meeting of shareholders.

Renato Bucher

Domaines d'intervention

  • Agence
  • Antitrust
  • Contrats
  • Distribution
  • Franchise
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    Switzerland – Liability for termination of contract negotiations

    23 décembre 2019

    • Suisse
    • Contrats

    Résumé rapide – D’après le droit suisse, un distributeur peut avoir droit à une indemnité de clientèle après la résiliation d’un contrat de distribution. La Cour suprême suisse a décidé que le Code suisse des obligations, qui accorde aux agents commerciaux un droit inaliénable à une indemnité pour les clients acquis à la fin de la relation d’agence, peut être appliqué par analogie aux relations de distribution dans certaines circonstances.

    En Suisse, les contrats de distribution sont des contrats innommés, c’est-à-dire des contrats qui ne sont pas spécifiquement régis par le Code suisse des obligations (« CO »). Les contrats de distribution sont principalement régis par les dispositions générales du droit suisse des contrats. En outre, certaines dispositions du droit suisse des agences (articles 418a et suivants CO) peuvent être appliquées par analogie aux relations de distribution.

    En particulier en ce qui concerne les conséquences de la résiliation d’un contrat de distribution, le Tribunal fédéral a décidé dans un arrêt de principe de 2008 (BGE 134 III 497) concernant un contrat de distribution exclusive que l’article 418u CO peut être appliqué par analogie aux contrats de distribution. L’article 418u CO donne droit à l’agent commercial à une indemnité de clientèle (parfois aussi appelée « compensation de clientèle ») à la fin de la relation d’agence.

    L’indemnité de clientèle est un moyen de dédommager l’agent pour avoir « cédé » sa clientèle au mandant à la fin du rapport d’agence.

    L’évaluation du droit d’un distributeur à une indemnité de clientèle se fait en deux étapes : Dans un premier temps, il convient d’analyser si les conditions stipulées par le Tribunal fédéral pour une application analogue de l’article 418u CO au rapport de distribution en cause sont remplies. Dans l’affirmative, il convient d’analyser, dans un deuxième temps, si toutes les conditions d’une indemnité de clientèle prévues à l’article 418u CO sont remplies.

    Application par analogie de l’article 418u CO au contrat de distribution

    Une application par analogie de l’article 418u CO aux accords de distribution suppose que le distributeur soit intégré dans une large mesure dans l’organisation de distribution du fournisseur. En raison de cette forte intégration, les distributeurs doivent se trouver dans une position d’agent et ne disposer que d’une autonomie économique limitée.

    Les critères suivants indiquent une forte intégration dans l’organisation de distribution du fournisseur

    • le distributeur doit respecter des obligations d’achat minimales;
    • le fournisseur a le droit de modifier unilatéralement les prix et les conditions de livraison;
    • le fournisseur a le droit de mettre fin unilatéralement à la fabrication et à la distribution des produits couverts par l’accord;
    • le distributeur est tenu de respecter des obligations de dépenses minimales de marketing;
    • le distributeur est tenu de maintenir des stocks minimums de produits contractuels;
    • l’accord de distribution impose au distributeur des obligations de rapports périodiques (par exemple, concernant les ventes réalisées et les activités des concurrents);
    • le fournisseur a le droit d’inspecter les livres du distributeur et de procéder à des audits;
    • il est interdit au distributeur de continuer à distribuer les produits après la fin de la relation de distribution.

    Plus ces éléments sont nombreux dans un contrat de distribution, plus il y a de chances que l’article 418u CO puisse être appliqué par analogie au rapport de distribution en cause. En revanche, si aucun ou seulement quelques-uns de ces éléments sont présents, l’article 418u CO ne sera probablement pas applicable et aucune indemnité de clientèle ne sera due.

    Conditions à remplir pour avoir droit à une indemnité de clientèle

    Si une application analogue de l’article 418u CO peut être affirmée, l’évaluation se poursuit. Il s’agit alors d’analyser si toutes les conditions d’une indemnité de clientèle prévues à l’article 418u CO sont remplies. Dans cette deuxième étape, l’évaluation ressemble au test à effectuer pour les relations d’agence commerciale « normales ».

    Appliqué par analogie aux relations de distribution, l’article 418u CO permet aux distributeurs de bénéficier d’une indemnité de clientèle lorsque quatre conditions sont remplies:

    • extension considérable de la clientèle par le distributeur.

    Premièrement, les activités du distributeur doivent avoir entraîné une « extension considérable » de la clientèle du fournisseur. Les activités du distributeur peuvent non seulement inclure le ciblage de clients spécifiques, mais aussi la création d’une nouvelle marque du fournisseur.

    En raison du peu de jurisprudence disponible auprès de la Cour suprême suisse, il existe une incertitude juridique quant à la signification de l’expression « expansion considérable ». Deux éléments semblent prédominants : d’une part le nombre absolu de clients et d’autre part le chiffre d’affaires réalisé avec ces clients. La clientèle existant au début de la relation de distribution doit être comparée à la clientèle à la fin de l’accord. La différence doit être positive.

    • Le fournisseur doit continuer à bénéficier de la clientèle

    Deuxièmement, le fournisseur doit tirer des avantages considérables, même après la fin de la relation de distribution, des relations commerciales avec les clients acquis par le distributeur.

    Cette deuxième exigence comprend deux aspects importants:

    Premièrement, le fournisseur doit avoir accès à la base de clientèle, c’est-à-dire savoir qui sont les clients. Dans les relations d’agence, cela ne pose généralement pas de problème puisque les contrats sont conclus entre les clients et le mandant, qui connaîtra donc l’identité des clients. En revanche, dans les relations de distribution, la connaissance par le fournisseur de l’identité des clients nécessite régulièrement une divulgation des listes de clients par le distributeur, que ce soit pendant ou à la fin de la relation de distribution.

    Deuxièmement, il doit y avoir une certaine loyauté des clients envers le fournisseur, de sorte que le fournisseur puisse continuer à faire des affaires avec ses clients après la fin de la relation de distribution. C’est le cas, par exemple, si les détaillants acquis par un ancien distributeur en gros continuent à acheter des produits directement au fournisseur après la fin de la relation avec le distributeur en gros. En outre, un fournisseur peut également continuer à bénéficier des clients acquis par le distributeur s’il peut réaliser des activités après-vente rentables, par exemple en fournissant des consommables, des pièces de rechange et en proposant des services d’entretien et de réparation.

    La jurisprudence suisse distingue deux types de clients différents : les clients personnels et les clients réels. Les premiers sont liés au distributeur en raison d’une relation de confiance particulière et restent généralement avec le distributeur lorsque la relation de distribution prend fin. Les seconds sont attachés à une marque ou à un produit et suivent normalement le fournisseur. En principe, seuls les clients réels peuvent donner lieu à une indemnité de clientèle.

    L’évolution du chiffre d’affaires du fournisseur après la fin d’une relation de distribution peut servir d’indication pour la fidélité des clients. Une forte baisse du chiffre d’affaires et la nécessité pour le fournisseur (ou le nouveau distributeur) d’acquérir de nouveaux clients ou de réacquérir d’anciens clients suggèrent que les clients ne sont pas fidèles, de sorte qu’aucune indemnité de clientèle ne serait due.

    • Équité de l’indemnité de clientèle

    Troisièmement, une indemnité de clientèle ne doit pas être inéquitable. Les circonstances suivantes pourraient rendre une indemnité de clientèle inéquitable:

    • le distributeur a pu réaliser une marge extraordinairement élevée ou a reçu d’autres rémunérations qui constituent une contrepartie suffisante pour la valeur des clients transmis au fournisseur;
    • la relation de distribution a duré longtemps, de sorte que le distributeur a déjà eu amplement l’occasion de profiter économiquement des clients acquis
    • en contrepartie du respect d’une obligation de non-concurrence post-contractuelle, le distributeur reçoit une compensation spéciale.

    En tout état de cause, les tribunaux disposent d’un pouvoir discrétionnaire considérable lorsqu’ils décident si une indemnité de clientèle est équitable.

    • Résiliation non causée par le distributeur

    Quatrièmement, la relation de distribution ne doit pas avoir pris fin pour une raison imputable au distributeur.

    Ce sera notamment le cas si le fournisseur a mis fin au contrat de distribution pour une raison imputable au distributeur, par exemple en cas de violation des obligations contractuelles ou de performance insuffisante du distributeur.

    En outre, aucune indemnité de clientèle ne sera due dans le cas où le distributeur a lui-même résilié le contrat de distribution, à moins que cette résiliation ne soit justifiée par des raisons imputables au fournisseur (par exemple, une violation de l’exclusivité accordée au distributeur par le fournisseur).

    Une indemnité de clientèle n’est pas seulement due en cas de résiliation d’un contrat de distribution à durée indéterminée, mais aussi en cas d’expiration ou de non-renouvellement d’un contrat de distribution à durée déterminée.

    Quantum d’une indemnité de clientèle

    Lorsque l’article 418u CO est applicable par analogie à un rapport de distribution et que toutes les conditions susmentionnées pour une indemnité de clientèle sont remplies, l’indemnité due au distributeur peut s’élever jusqu’au gain annuel net du distributeur provenant du rapport de distribution, calculé comme la moyenne des gains des cinq dernières années. Si la relation de distribution a duré moins longtemps, la moyenne des gains sur toute la durée de la relation de distribution est déterminante.

    Pour calculer le bénéfice annuel net, le distributeur doit déduire des revenus obtenus par la relation de distribution (par exemple, la marge brute, les rémunérations supplémentaires, etc.) les coûts liés à ses activités (par exemple, les frais de marketing, les frais de déplacement, les salaires, les frais de location, etc.) Une activité déficitaire ne peut donner lieu à une indemnité de survaleur.

    Dans le cas où un distributeur a commercialisé des produits provenant de différents fournisseurs, il doit calculer le bénéfice annuel net sur une base spécifique au produit, c’est-à-dire limitée aux produits du fournisseur spécifique. Le distributeur ne peut pas calculer une indemnité de clientèle sur la base de son activité dans son ensemble. Les coûts fixes doivent être répartis proportionnellement, dans la mesure où ils ne peuvent être affectés à une relation de distribution spécifique.

    Caractère obligatoire du droit à l’indemnité de survaleur

    Les fournisseurs tentent régulièrement d’exclure les indemnités de clientèle dans les accords de distribution. Toutefois, si une application analogue de l’article 418u CO au contrat de distribution est justifiée et que toutes les conditions pour une indemnité de clientèle sont remplies, le droit est obligatoire et ne peut être exclu contractuellement à l’avance. De telles dispositions seraient nulles et non avenues.

    Cela dit, les dispositions spécifiques des accords de distribution traitant de l’indemnité de clientèle, comme par exemple les dispositions contractuelles qui traitent de la manière dont le fournisseur doit indemniser le distributeur pour les clients acquis, restent pertinentes.De telles règles pourraient rendre le droit à une indemnité de survaleur de clientèle.

    QUICK SUMMARY: Contract negotiations do not take place in a legal vacuum. A party who negotiates contrary to the principle of good faith and then breaks off negotiations may become liable to the other party. However, the requirements for such liability are high and the enforcement of damage claims is cumbersome. At the end of the post I will share some practical tips for contract negotiations in Switzerland.

    Under Swiss law, the principle of freedom of contract is of fundamental importance. It follows from the freedom of contract that, in principle, everyone is free to enter into contract negotiations and to terminate them again without incurring any liability. A termination of contract negotiations does not have to be justified either.

    However, the freedom of contract is limited by the obligation to act in good faith (cf. article 2 para. 1 of the Swiss Civil Code), which is of equal fundamental importance. From the moment when parties enter into contract negotiations, they are in a special legal relationship with each other. That pre-contractual relationship involves certain reciprocal obligations. In particular, the parties must negotiate in a serious manner and in accordance with their actual intentions.

    Negotiating parties must not stir up the hope of the other party, contrary to their actual intentions, that a contract will actually be concluded. Put differently, a party’s willingness to conclude a contract must not be expressed more strongly than it actually is. If a party realizes that the other party wrongly beliefs that a contract would certainly be concluded, such illusion should be dispelled in due course.

    A negotiating party that terminates contract negotiations in violation of these principles, whether maliciously or negligently, may become liable to the other party based on the culpa in contrahendo doctrine. However, such liability exists in exceptional cases only.

    • The fact that contract negotiations took a long time is not sufficient for incurring such liability. The duration of negotiations is, in itself, not decisive.
    • It is not possible to derive liability from pre-existing contractual relationships between the negotiation parties, as for example in cases where parties negotiate a « mere » prolongation of an existing agreement. The decisive factor is not whether parties were already contractually bound before, but only whether the party that terminated the contract negotiations made the other party believe that a new agreement would certainly be concluded.
    • It is not decisive whether the party who terminates contract negotiations knows that the other party has already made costly investments in view of the prospective contract. In principle, anyone who makes investments already prior to the actual conclusion of a contract does so at its own risk. Even where a party to contract negotiations knows that the other party has already made (substantial) investments in the prospective agreement, a termination of the contract negotiations will, in itself, not be considered as an act of bad faith.

    What does a liability for breaking off negotiations include?

    If a party violates the aforementioned pre-contractual obligations, the other party may be entitled to compensation for the so-called negative interest. This means that the other party must be put in the position it would have been if the negotiations had not taken place. Damages may include, e.g., expenses in connection with the negotiation of the contract (travel costs, legal fees etc.), but also a loss of income in cases where a party was not able to do business with third parties because of the contract negotiations. However, the other party has no right to be treated as if the contract had been concluded (so-called positive interest).

    Having said that, it must be kept in mind that the requirements set by Swiss court for the substantiation of damages are rather high, so that the enforcement of a liability for breaking off negotiations will often be a cumbersome process. Therefore pursuing damage claims with relatively low amounts in dispute might often require a disproportionate effort.

    Practical tips – Do’s and don’ts when negotiating contracts

    • Do not overstate your willingness to conclude a contract. Be frank with your counterparty. Make it clear from the beginning of the negotiations what clauses are important to you.
    • Do not tell the other party that you are willing to sign a contract, if you still have doubts or you are even unwilling to do so. Confirm that you will sign only if you are convinced to do so.
    • Do not allow someone else (e.g., a representative, employee, branch office etc.) to negotiate on your behalf if you are not willing to enter into an agreement anyway. Keep an eye on how the negotiations are going on and intervene if necessary.
    • Do not make costly investments before a legally binding agreement is concluded. If, for time or other reasons, such investments are necessary already before the conclusion of an agreement, insist on the conclusion of an interim contract governing such investments for the event that the envisaged agreement is not concluded finally.

    In 2020, an important revision of the Swiss statute of limitations enters into force. The new law provides for longer limitation periods in cases of personal injury and extends the relative limitation periods in tort and unjust enrichment law from one to three years.

    Background of the revision

    In June 2018, the Swiss parliament adopted an amendment to the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) pertaining to a revision of the statute of limitations. In November 2018, the Swiss government decided that the revised statute of limitations shall enter into force on 1 January 2020.

    The revision was significantly influenced by asbestos cases. Under the current law, damage claims of asbestos victims were time-barred in some cases even before asbestos-related diseases could be diagnosed. In March 2014, the European Court of Human Rights held in Howald Moor and others v. Switzerland that the Swiss statute of limitations amounts in such cases to a violation of article 6 paragraph 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right of access to a court).

    Having said that, the revision does not only concern cases of personal injury, but also includes numerous other important changes as described in the following.

    Key changes regarding limitation periods

    A. Tort law

    In tort law, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage and of the identity of the person liable (revised Art. 60 para. 1 CO). Under the current law, the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

    With the exception of cases of personal injury, the absolute limitation period remains ten years as from the date when the conduct that caused the damages occurred or ended (revised Art. 60 para. 1 CO).

    In cases of personal injury, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage and of the identity of the person liable. Currently the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

    The new absolute limitation period in cases of personal injury amounts to twenty years after the date when the conduct which caused the damages occurred or ended (new Art. 60 para. 1bis CO). Under the current law, there was no special absolute limitation period for cases of personal injury, so that the ordinary 10-year period applied (Art. 60 para. 1 CO).

    If conduct, which gives rise to liability under tort law, is also punishable under criminal law, the (longer) limitation period under criminal law remains applicable (cf. Art. 97 of the Swiss Criminal Code). However, where a first-instance criminal judgment is rendered before the conduct is time-barred under criminal law, the limitation periods ends not earlier than three years as from that criminal judgment (revised Art. 60 para. 2 CO). The current law does not provide for such an additional three-year limitation period.

    B. Unjust enrichment law

    In unjust enrichment law, the new relative limitation period amounts to three years as from the date on which the injured party knows about the claim (revised Art. 67 para. 1 CO). Under the current law, the relative limitation period amounts to one year only.

    The absolute limitation period is not affected by the revision and remains ten years after the date on which the claim arises (revised Art. 67 para. 1 CO).

    C. Contract law

    With regard to contractual claims, the ordinary limitation period remains ten years from the due date (Art. 127 CO). Furthermore, the shorter limitation period of five years from the due date applicable to (amongst others) claims for rent, interest on capital and other periodic payments, (most) claims out of employment relationships etc. remains unchanged too (Art. 128 CO).

    However, in cases of personal injury, the revised statute of limitations introduces a new relative limitation period of three years from the date on which the injured party became aware of the damage, as well as a new absolute limitation period of twenty years after the date when the conduct which caused the damages occurred or ended (new Art. 128a CO). The current law does not provide for distinct relative and absolute limitation periods for contractual claims in cases of personal injury. Instead, the ordinary ten-year limitation period (Art. 127 CO) usually applied to such cases.

    D. Summary

    In summary, the most important elements of the revised statute of limitations are the longer (trebled) relative limitation periods in tort and unjust enrichment law (i.e., three years instead of one year) and the new special rules for cases of personal injury, which now benefit from a 20-year absolute limitation period.

    Transitional provisions / application of the revised statute of limitations to pre-existing claims

    The longer limitation periods under the revised CO apply to any claims that are not yet time-barred when the revision enters into force (i.e., on 1 January 2020; revised Art. 49 para. 1, Final Title of the Swiss Civil Code). In other words, the limitation periods of any claims that do not become time-barred until 31 December 2019 at the latest will be prolonged. This is of particular relevance with regard to claims based on tort and unjust enrichment; the short one-year relative limitation periods under the current law will be extended by another two years.

    In contrast, the current law remains applicable in case the revised statute of limitations provides for shorter limitation periods (revised Art. 49 para. 2, Final Title of the Swiss Civil Code). This concerns, in particular, contractual claims in cases of personal injury. The new three-year relative limitation period under the revised law might not apply to such claims, as the current statute of limitations does not provide for a relative limitation period at all.

    Further changes brought by the revision

    In addition to the changes of the limitation periods set out above, the revision of the statute of limitations contains numerous further modifications. Some of them are listed in the following:

    1. Limitation periods do not commence or are suspended in the event that a claim cannot be asserted for objective reasons before any court worldwide (revised Art. 134 para. 1 no. 6 CO). The current law provides for such non-commencement or suspension only if the claim cannot be brought before a Swiss court.
    2. Parties to a dispute may agree in writing that limitation periods shall be suspended during settlement discussions, mediation proceedings or other out-of-court settlement proceedings (revised Art. 134 para. 1 no. 8 CO).
    3. Once a limitation period has commenced to run, waivers of statute of limitation defenses are admissible, but must not exceed ten years (revised Art. 141 para. 1 CO). Any such waivers must be in writing (new Art. 141 para. 1bis CO).
    4. In general terms and conditions (“GTC”), statute of limitation defenses may be waived by the party who makes use of the GTCs only. In contrast, a waiver by the party on whom the GTCs are imposed (e.g., consumers) is ineffective (new Art. 141 para. 1bis CO).
    5. The limitation period for an actio pauliana under the Swiss Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (“DEBA”) is extended to from currently two years to three years after service of a loss certificate, the opening of bankruptcy proceedings or the confirmation of a composition agreement with an assignment of assets (whichever is applicable; revised Art. 292 DEBA).

    How to make sure that your claim can be enforced in the long run? A creditor may freeze assets that a debtor holds in Switzerland if certain conditions are fulfilled. In practice, there are two situations in which one might consider an attachment of assets: the first is where a creditor has a claim against a debtor without domicile in Switzerland; the second is where a creditor holds an enforceable judgment or award.

    It is beyond doubt that the Swiss financial sector continues to play a dominant role in the financial world of today despite the regulatory pressure that it faces. The Swiss jurisdiction, therefore, is relevant for creditors who wish to enforce claims against a debtor who holds bank accounts or other assets in Switzerland. Even though practice shows that it is predominantly bank accounts that are being attached, other assets such as real estate, art works or claims against third parties are equally capable of being attached.

    Upon application, the Swiss court at the seat of the bank or at the place where the assets are located will grant an ex parte freezing order to a creditor against a debtor with assets in Switzerland, if the applying creditor demonstrates on a prima facie basis that the following three prerequisites of the Swiss Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (« DEBA ») are met:

    • The creditor seeking a freezing order has a mature and unsecured claim;
    • The debtor’s assets are located in Switzerland;
    • A legal ground for a freezing order exists.

    As already pointed out, the most relevant grounds for a freezing order are:

    • The debtor is not resident in Switzerland and the claim itself has sufficient connection with Switzerland or is based on an acknowledgement of debt signed by the debtor (« attachment against a non-Swiss resident »);
    • The creditor has an enforceable court decision or arbitral award against the debtor (« enforceable title »).

    Attachment against a non-Swiss resident: The mere fact that the assets are located in Switzerland will not suffice to establish a « sufficient connection with Switzerland » in the sense of the DEBA. The requirement of « sufficient connection with Switzerland » very much depends on the specific facts of the case which the Swiss court will review on a case-by-case basis. Swiss courts have confirmed that there was a sufficient connection in cases where the underlying contract was signed or fulfilled in Switzerland, where the underlying contract is governed by Swiss law, where the creditor lives in Switzerland or where the creditor’s claim is linked to a commercial activity in Switzerland.

    Enforceable title: In order to rely on the second ground for a freezing order the creditor needs to have an enforceable title. The DEBA makes no distinction between domestic and foreign court decisions or arbitral awards. Provided that they are enforceable (either according to the Lugano Convention, the Swiss Private International Law Act or – in the case of a non-Swiss arbitral award – the New York Convention), all judgments and awards may serve as a ground for an attachment of Swiss assets.

    The Swiss court will request the creditor to provide prima facie evidence on the prerequisites of an attachment as outlined above. Because the attachment itself will be granted ex parte, it will, in many instances, take the debtor by surprise. Thanks to this surprise effect and the nature of the attachment, i.e. the fact that it will prevent the debtor from further disposing of the attached assets, the attachment has a great potential for helping the creditor to secure and ultimately satisfy its claim.

    Some places are good to go to for arbitration, some places are better avoided. It is not this blog’s aim to hail the former and blame the latter but, rather, to outline why Switzerland certainly is a good choice when it comes to arbitration.

    Arbitration clauses are sometimes called “Midnight Clauses”. They are called “Midnight Clauses” because they tend to be the very last clause that parties will negotiate on when trying to contractually finalize a business transaction. If the parties are looking for an excellent dispute resolution mechanism or are having last-minute difficulties in finding a suitable compromise, arbitration in Switzerland might be a valuable alternative. Why? There are a handful of unique selling propositions.

    First of all, Switzerland has a long tradition of hosting international arbitrations of all kinds (both ad-hoc and institutional). The tradition dates back more than hundred years. As a consequence of this history and experience, you will find easy access to a great number of excellent legal practitioners, both counsel and arbitrators.

    Second, Switzerland is politically neutral and is the seat of many international organizations (WTO, WIPO, IOC, etc.). This ensures an openness of mind to different cultures and values and makes Switzerland a great place for an international arbitration.

    Third, Swiss substantive law offers a very liberal, clearly defined and predictable legal framework to its users. As a consequence, Arbitration in Switzerland is ideally combined with a choice of law clause in favour of Swiss substantive law.

    Fourth and importantly, Switzerland offers both a very stable legal system and an excellent legal framework. Switzerland’s international arbitration law follows an efficient regime and is comprised of only 18 very concise articles. Furthermore, the Swiss judiciary applies a very arbitration-friendly approach in dealing with challenges of arbitral awards and only interferes in exceptional circumstances. There is only one challenge available and this challenge goes right to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, Switzerland’s highest court. The Supreme Court will not review the merits of the award. It will, however, ensure that the most basic legal principles (public policy) are safe-guarded. Consequently, there are no cost-intense multi step annulment proceedings before state courts. Challenges are generally dealt with within six months.

    Fifth, Switzerland offers great infrastructure both in terms of travelling access, hotels, security, court reporting and translation needs.

    Last but not least, arbitration in Switzerland offers you great flexibility. You can arbitrate according to the arbitration rules of all of the major institutions, i.e., ICC, Swiss Chambers of Commerce, LCIA, SCC, DIS, AAA, SIAC, HIAC, CIETAC or under Ad-Hoc Rules and will find a suitable ground for your arbitration. For all of these reasons and many more, arbitral awards originating in Switzerland will profit from a great reputation and will be easily enforceable internationally in case of need.

    The goal of this short article is to examine the annual business report, mandatory for all Swiss companies. The board of directors prepares the annual business report, which is composed of:

    • The annual financial statements;
    • The annual report, and;
    • The consolidated financial statements if such statement are required by law.

    The annual financial statements comprise the following three documents: profit and loss statement (or income statement), balance sheet, and annex.

    The profit and loss statement must distinguish between operating and non-operating, as well as extraordinary, income and expenses. Income must be split separately between:

    • Revenues from deliveries and services;
    • Financial income, and;
    • Profits from the disposition of capital assets.

    Expense must at least show cost of goods sold, personnel expenses, financial expenses, as well as depreciation.

    The balance sheet shall show the current assets and the capital assets, debts and equity. Current assets are divided into liquid assets, claims resulting from deliveries and services, other claims, as well as inventories. Capital assets are divided into financial assets, tangible and intangible assets. The outside funds are divided into debts resulting from deliveries and services, other short-term liabilities, long-term liabilities and provisions. Equity is divided into share capital, legal and other reserves, as well as a profit brought forward. Capital not paid in, the total amount of investments, the claims and liabilities against affiliates or against shareholders, accruals and deferrals, as well as losses carried forward are disclosed separately.

    The Annex includes:

    • The total amount of guarantees, indemnity liabilities and pledges in favour of third part;
    • The total amount of assets pledged or assigned for the securing of own liabilities, as well as of assets with retention of title;
    • The total amount of liabilities from leasing contracts not included in the balance sheet;
    • The fire insurance value of assets;
    • Liabilities to personnel welfare institutions;
    • The amounts, interest rates and maturities of bonds issued by the company;
    • Each participation essential for assessing the company’s financial situation;
    • The total amount of dissolved hidden; reserves to the extent that such total amount that exceeds newly formed reserves of the same kind, and thereby show a considerably more favourable result;
    • Information on the object and the amount of revaluations;
    • Information on the acquisition, disposition, and number of own shares held by the company, including its shares held by another company in which it holds a majority participation; equally shown shall be the terms and conditions of such share transactions;
    • The amount of the authorized capital increase and of the capital increase subject to a condition;
    • Other information required by law.

    The Annual report describes the development of the business, as well as the economic and the financial situation of the company. It reproduces the auditors’ report.

    If the company, by majority vote or by another method joins one or more companies under a common control (group of companies), it is required to prepare consolidated financial statements. The company is exempted from consolidation if it, during two consecutive business years, together with the affiliates, does not exceed two of the following parameters:

    • Balance sheet total: CHF. 10’000’000
    • Revenues: CHF. 20’000’000
    • Average annual number of employees: 200

    However, consolidated statements shall be prepared if:

    • the company has outstanding bond issues;
    • the company’s shares are listed on a stock exchange;
    • shareholders representing at least ten per cent of the share capital so request;
    • this is necessary for assessing as reliably as possible the company’s financial condition and profitability.

    Swiss valuation principles are conservative. Assets are valued at the lower of cost or market. A full provision for all known liabilities must be made. In addition, the Code gives discretionary powers to the board to value assets at amounts lower than maximum carrying values prescribed by law, or to create hidden reserves. The maximum asset values permissible are set out in articles 664 through 670 of the Code. These are as follows:

    Costs of incorporation, capital increase, and organization resulting from the establishment, expansion or reorganization of the business may be included in the balance sheet. They must be shown separately and amortized within five years. Capital assets are to be valued at a maximum of the acquisition or manufacturing costs less the necessary depreciation. Participations and other financial investments are also part of the capital assets. Participations are permanent investments in the capital of subsidiary companies; usually they give a controlling influence in the management of the affiliate. Share blocks representing at least twenty per cent of the votes are classified as participations.

    Raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, as well as merchandise, shall be valued at a maximum of the acquisition or manufacturing cost. If the cost is higher than market value on the date of the balance sheet, then market value is used.

    Listed securities shall be valued at a maximum of their average stock exchange price during the month preceding the date of the balance sheet. Unquoted securities shall be valued at a maximum of the acquisition cost under deduction of any necessary value adjustments.

    Depreciation, value adjustments and provisions should be made to the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles. Provisions are to be established in particular to cover contingent liabilities and potential losses from pending business transactions. The board may take additional depreciation, make value adjustments and provisions and refrain from dissolving provisions, which are no longer justified. Hidden reserves exceeding the above are permitted to the extent justified in the interest of the continuing prosperity of the company or to enable the regular distribution of dividends, taking into account the interests of the shareholders. The auditors must be notified in detail of the creation and the dissolution of replacement reserves and hidden reserves exceeding the above.

    If half of the sum of the share capital and legal reserves is lost, real estate property or participations whose fair market value has risen above cost may, for the purpose of eliminating the deficit, be re-valued up to a maximum of such deficit. The revaluation amount shall be shown separately as a revaluation reserve. The revaluation is only permitted if the auditors confirm in writing to the general meeting of shareholders that the legal provisions have been respected.

    Companies are required to allocate five per cent of the annual profit to the legal reserve until it has reached twenty per cent of be paid-in share capital. Also, after having reached the statutory amount, the following shall be allocated to this reserve:

    • any surplus over par value upon the issue of new shares;
    • after deduction of the issue costs, to the extent such surplus is not used for depreciation or welfare purposes;
    • the excess of the amount which was paid in on cancelled shares over any reduction on the issue price of replacement shares ten per cent of the amounts which are distributed as a share of profits after payment of a dividend of five per cent.

    To the extent it does not exceed half of the share capital, the legal reserve shall only be used to remove an accounting deficit, to preserve the existence of the business enterprise in bad times, to counteract unemployment, or to soften its consequences.

    There are no filing requirements in Switzerland for annual financial statements except in the case of banks, finance and insurance companies.

    A reduction in capital requires a resolution by the general meeting of shareholders amending the articles. Such an amendment cannot be passed unless a special audit report shows that all claims of creditors are fully covered in spite of the reduction in capital. The auditors’ report must be prepared by a qualified auditor. Prior to implementing the reduction, the board of directors is required to publish the decision three times in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Creditors are to be informed. An exception is made for reductions in the event of capital deficiency. Under no circumstance may the share capital be reduced below SFr. 100,000. In the case of a financial restructuring of the company, the par value of the old shares may however be reduced to less than SFr. 10 each. In spite of a reduction in the par value, a share may still carry the same voting rights as before reduction.

    A company may be dissolved for any voluntary reason provided for by the articles or by decision of the general meeting of shareholders. An involuntary dissolution can be imposed upon the company by bankruptcy or a court decision. A court can dissolve a company, for example, in cases where serious violations of legal or statutory provisions have occurred. Furthermore, shareholders representing at least ten per cent of share capital may request dissolution by the court if they have good cause (for example, if minority rights have been violated).

    Except in the case of a bankruptcy, the board must register the dissolution of the company with the Commercial Register. During the period of liquidation, the company remains a legal entity and retains its name with the addition in liquidation.  Unless the company appoints special liquidators, the liquidation procedures are carried out by the board. The name of the liquidators is to be registered. At least one of the liquidators must be domiciled in Switzerland and have authority to represent the company.

    The term liquidation means that the company’s normal business activities are discontinued and restricted to such operations as are necessary to settle all pending matters. The liquidators must prepare a balance sheet upon assuming their duties. If the balance sheet shows an excess of liabilities over assets, the liquidators must file an application for bankruptcy, unless arrangements can be made for an amicable settlement with the creditors.

    In all other cases, the liquidators must attempt to wind up the business (termination of contracts, collection of receivables, payment of outstanding debts) with a view to reaching a final settlement with creditors and shareholders. In this connection, creditors reflected in the books of the company or known in any other way shall be informed of the dissolution of the company in writing and requested to file their claims; unknown creditors and creditors whose domiciles are not known are notified by publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. In order to protect unknown or disputed creditors who have failed to lodge their claims, an appropriate amount of money must be deposited in escrow. A distribution of net assets is postponed until such liabilities have been settled.

    After settlement of all liabilities, the remaining net assets of the liquidated company may be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to their holdings and in accordance with the rights attached to their shares. Upon termination of liquidation procedures, the liquidators apply for deregistration and designate a safe place where the books must be kept for a period of ten years. Deregistration is contingent upon express approval by the Federal and Cantonal Tax Administration, to ensure that all taxes on income, capital and distribution have been paid in full.

    A resolution dealing with the merger of companies may only be passed at the general meeting of the shareholders, if at least two thirds of the shares are represented. Creditors of merging companies are given special protection.

     The merger procedures can be summarized as follows:

    • The board of directors of the acquiring company must issue a call for registration of claims by the creditors of the company to be dissolved.
    • The net assets of the company to be dissolved must be administered separately by the acquiring company until creditors are satisfied or secured.
    • The dissolution of the absorbed company must be registered in the Commercial Register as soon as creditors have been satisfied or secured.
    • Subsequent to this registration, shares of the acquiring company may be delivered to the shareholders of the absorbed company, according to the contract.

    The members of the board of the acquiring company are personally, jointly and severally liable to the creditors of the absorbed company. The net assets of the absorbed company may be used exclusively for the satisfaction of that company’s creditors.

    A corporation can be converted into a limited liability company, provided that the capital of the limited liability company is not less than the corporation’s share capital, that shareholders are informed about the possibility of becoming participants in the newly created company, and that their participations amount to at least two thirds of the share capital of the transformed company. Any retiring shareholder is entitled to a proportionate share of the net assets valued at fair market price. With regard to the creditors of the transformed company, the same provisions apply as for mergers. A limited liability company may not be transformed into a corporation. It must be liquidated and a new corporation formed.

    There are three bodies in a Swiss corporation, namely: the general meeting of shareholders (the supreme body), the board of directors and the auditors.

    Shareholder’s meeting

    The general meeting of shareholders is the supreme authority of the company and is composed of all shareholders. There are two types of meetings:

    • Ordinary general meeting. This is held annually within six months after the close of the business year;
    • Extraordinary general meeting, which is called as often as considered necessary.

    The general meeting of shareholders has the right to adopt and amend the articles, to appoint directors and auditors, to approve the financial statements and the directors’ report, to ratify certain decisions of the Board, and, in general, to make all important decisions which are not delegated to any other body. The shareholders must also approve the proposal of the Board relative to the distribution of annual profits. A general meeting is called by the board or, if it fails in its duties, by the auditors. One or more shareholders, representing together at least 10 % of the share capital, may at any time request the calling of an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. This must be done in writing, indicating the purpose of the meeting. In general, a simple majority of votes represented at the general meeting is sufficient to pass a resolution and hold elections. However, certain decisions require a vote of two thirds of the votes represented and the absolute majority of the· par value of the shares represented (such as change of corporate purpose, extension of scope of business, distribution of shares with privileged voting rights etc.).

    Shareholders cannot be deprived of their acquired rights without their consent. The term acquired rights includes the right to vote, to dividends, to a share of the liquidation proceeds and to receive sufficient information on the financial condition of the company. The Swiss Code distinguishes two kinds of shareholders rights: financial interests and personal membership rights.

    Each shareholder has the right to a proportionate share of the profits distributed. Dividends may only be paid out of net profits or out of reserves specially created for this purpose. There is no interest payable on the ordinary share capital and a company may not declare interim dividends out of current year profits. Dividends can only be declared by the general meeting of shareholders and after attribution to the legal reserve. A share of the net profits may be paid to members of the board of directors if:

    • the articles specifically provide for such payments,
    • the allocations to the legal reserve fund have been made and,
    • a dividend of at least five percent has been paid to the shareholders.

    Unless otherwise stated in the articles or in the resolution for the increase in share capital, each shareholder has an option to subscribe to new shares in the same proportion that his original holding bears to the total shares issued.

    Each shareholder is entitled to a proportionate share of the proceeds of liquidation unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. The proceeds are calculated in proportion to the amounts paid in on the share capital.

    Most personal membership rights are acquired rights which means that even with the general meeting’s consent, the shareholder cannot be deprived thereof. These include the following:

    • Shareholders exercise their rights at the general meeting of shareholders. Every shareholder may attend the meeting in person or be represented by his proxy. A holder of bearer shares is considered authorized to attend if he presents the share. On the other hand, registered shares can only be represented if a written proxy is produced.
    • Voting rights.
    • Shareholders are entitled to review the financial statements, which must be available for inspection at the address of the company not later than 20 day prior to the annual general meeting. Any shareholder may request a copy to be sent to him before the meeting.

    Board of Directors

    The company is managed by the board composed of one or more individual directors who must be shareholders. A majority of board members must be Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland.  If the board consists of a single member, he or she must be a Swiss citizen residing in Switzerland. The directors are elected at the general meeting for a period fixed by the articles (maximum six years). The directors can however be re-elected indefinitely.

    The articles may require that during their term of office they must deposit a certain number of shares at the corporation’s registered domicile. This is designed to protect the corporation against damages that directors may cause in the fulfilment of their duties. The board can delegate part of its authority to either an executive committee or to individual directors, to officers or to agents. At least one director must have power and authority to represent the company. The board designates the individuals authorized to represent the company vis-a-vis third parties and determines the details concerning the signatory powers. The company is unrestricted in the selection of its executive personnel, such as managers and officers, although managers and employees of foreign nationality require a permit to take up residence and employment in Switzerland.

    The board is responsible for the preparation of the general meeting. It gives the necessary instructions to the management for the proper conduct of the company’s business and supervises those authorized to act on behalf of the company. It is the primary responsibility of the board, although generally delegated to management, to keep the accounting records and to prepare the annual financial statements. Furthermore, the board must submit a written annual report on the company’s financial position and the results of its activities to the general meeting of shareholders.

    Auditors

    The general meeting of shareholders elects one or more independent auditors who may be individuals or legal entities. Auditors must be professionally qualified to fulfil their duties. At least one auditor must have his domicile, registered office, or a registered branch in Switzerland. The auditors may not serve as directors nor be otherwise employed by the company, nor may they assume managerial functions for the company. Auditors may be elected for a maximum period of three years. Re-election is possible.

    Auditors must have special professional qualifications if the audited entity:

    • has outstanding bond issues;
    • has shares listed on a Swiss stock exchange;
    • exceeds two of the following parameters in two consecutive years:
    • Balance sheet total: CHF 20’000’000
    • Revenues: CHF 40’000’000
    • Average number of employees: 200

    The auditors must report on whether the accounting records and the financial statements, as well as the proposal concerning the appropriation of the available profit, comply with the law and the articles of incorporation. If the auditors, in the course of their examination, find violations either of law or of the articles, they report this in writing to the board of directors and, in important cases, to the general meeting of shareholders. In the event of obvious over-indebtedness, the auditors must notify the judge if the board fails to do so. Auditors are liable to the shareholders and creditors for damage caused by intentional or negligent failure to perform their duties. The auditors are required to attend the general meeting of shareholders.

    Renato Bucher

    Domaines d'intervention

    • Agence
    • Antitrust
    • Contrats
    • Distribution
    • Franchise
    Contact Renato