International Commercial Court

Switzerland is strengthening its position as a hub for international business disputes. With the revision of the Swiss Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO), which came into effect on 1 January 2025, cantons now have the option to confer jurisdiction on their commercial courts for international commercial disputes.

In Switzerland, international disputes have been mostly resolved through arbitration until now. The new international commercial courts now offer state judicial authority as a complementary option, particularly for cases with an international dimension. 

Requirements for International Commercial Jurisdiction
For a commercial court to have international jurisdiction, the following conditions must be met:

  • At least one party is engaged in commercial activity.

  • The dispute amount is at least CHF 100,000.

  • The parties expressly agree to the jurisdiction of the commercial court.

  • At least one party has its registered office, residence, or habitual abode abroad.

 Proceedings in English
A major advantage of international commercial jurisdiction is the possibility of conducting proceedings in English. This facilitates participation by international parties and improves communication.

  • Proceedings in English are possible before both commercial and ordinary courts if the cantons provide for it and all parties agree.

This flexibility increases the international connectivity of the Swiss judiciary and makes it more attractive to foreign companies.

 Zurich as a Leading Hub – The Zurich International Commercial Court (ZICC)
Zurich in particular is positioning itself as a leading venue for international commercial cases. The cantonal government plans to establish the Zurich International Commercial Court, a specialized court for international commercial disputes.

The ZICC pursues several objectives:

  • Strengthening Zurich as a business location

  • Complementing established arbitration proceedings

  • Contributing to value creation in the legal services sector

  • Providing efficient and transparent procedures for international commercial disputes

Daniela Koenig