Criminal law aims to protect individuals’ fundamental rights as well as the financial interests of private individuals and companies. It applies in situations that are often sensitive and carry significant legal, economic and personal consequences, requiring a rigorous, strategic and responsive defence.
Our lawyers act in all types of criminal proceedings, in both general criminal law and white-collar crime. We defend individuals and legal entities facing criminal charges, assist companies and private persons who are victims of criminal offences, and advise clients on managing criminal law risks arising from their business activities. We also act in matters relating to road traffic accidents and related offences.
White-collar crime has experienced significant growth in Switzerland. Specialised authorities at both the federal level (Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland) and the cantonal level have intensified their enforcement activities in matters involving corruption, money laundering, fraud, accounting offences, breach of trust and financial market offences. In this context, we have extensive experience in complex criminal investigations at both federal and cantonal levels and support our clients at every stage of the proceedings, from the preliminary investigation through to trial, including the negotiation of settlements and the management of reputational risks.
Our practice includes criminal defence, assistance to victims and injured companies (filing criminal complaints, acting as a private claimant and monitoring proceedings), preventive advice in white-collar crime matters (compliance, risk identification, internal procedures and management training), as well as support during investigations, searches and coercive measures. We also act in proceedings relating to the lifting of asset seizures and the restitution of assets, and represent clients before cantonal criminal courts, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland and the Federal Criminal Court.
The added value of our specialised lawyers lies in a strategic, pragmatic and committed approach aimed at effectively protecting our clients’ rights, anticipating procedural risks and limiting financial and reputational exposure. Our experience spans a wide range of matters, from the defence of executives and senior managers to assisting international clients in criminal mutual assistance proceedings, as well as the recovery of misappropriated assets in cases of fraud or economic crime.