Preliminary note

Swiss lawyers who represent clients before courts must be registered in a cantonal bar register. They must comply with the rules of professional conduct, are subject to the duty of professional secrecy (attorney–client privilege) and supervised by cantonal supervisory authorities. The Bar registers are maintained on a cantonal level; however, each registered lawyer is entitled to represent clients before courts throughout Switzerland. Only partners and employees of law firms or self-employed lawyers may register in a cantonal bar register.

In addition, foreign lawyers from a Member State of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association may represent clients before Swiss courts as either registered foreign lawyers in Switzerland or on an ad hoc basis under the principle of free movement of services granted by the bilateral treaty between Switzerland and the European Union on the Free Movement of Persons. Like registered Swiss lawyers, the foreign lawyers representing clients before Swiss courts must comply with the rules of professional conduct, are subject to the duty of professional secrecy and are supervised by the cantonal supervisory authorities.