Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, Supreme court in Lausanne, Switzerland
The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland is the highest judicial authority in the country, located in Lausanne. It reviews appeals from cantonal courts and federal specialized courts across civil, criminal, and administrative law matters.
The court was established in 1848 following the adoption of the Swiss Federal Constitution. This founding created a centralized top judicial body to serve the newly structured federation.
The court conducts proceedings in German, French, Italian, and Romansh, reflecting how the Swiss judicial system serves all language regions. This multilingual character shapes daily operations and shows how the institution balances the country's linguistic communities.
Most decisions are reached through written procedures without public oral hearings held in the courtroom. Visitors should verify in advance whether specific proceedings are open to the public, as not all cases allow public attendance.
The court decides cases primarily through written submissions rather than traditional oral arguments before judges. This approach differs from many other supreme courts around the world where public hearings are the standard.
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