Zurich International Commercial Court (ZICC): Peter Reichart and Anne-Catherine Hahn Interviewed by Legalcommunity
The March 2025 edition of Legalcommunity CH MAG, a leading publication for the legal market, reports on the upcoming constitution of the Zurich International Commercial Court (ZICC) and its potential impact on international dispute resolution. The article explores how this new institution could bolster Switzerland's position as a global hub for commercial dispute resolution and contribute to European economic competitiveness.
The discussion is set against a broader economic backdrop of current unpredictability and challenges. According to the article, the ZICC could emerge as a timely initiative, offering foreign companies and private individuals the legal stability and reliability of Swiss institutions.
Following recent Swiss procedural reforms, the ZICC – launching in 2027 as a division of the Zurich Commercial Court – will allow commercial disputes, even without a direct link to Switzerland, to be resolved in a state-court setting and in English language. Unlike international arbitration proceedings, it follows the civil law tradition, offering an efficient, state court-based alternative.
Legalcommunity asked Wartmann Merker partners Peter Reichart and Anne-Catherine Hahn to comment on the historic background, the functioning and the outlook of the ZICC.
Anne Catherine Hahn noted in this regard that
"One of the reasons why we think this project is interesting is precisely because it's an alternative to the common law model. Dispute resolution in the civil law tradition is appealing to many parties both in and outside of Switzerland".
Peter Reichart added:
"This will be one of Switzerland’s contributions: making business practice easier in Europe and get disputes resolved quickly".
The Swiss Arbitration Summit in January 2025 provided an early forum for discussing the ZICC's potential. Wartmann Merker hosted an expert panel on the court's role in international dispute resolution.
Read more about the ZICC in our newsletter: www.wartmann-merker.ch/en/news/a-new-option-on-the-horizon-the-zurich-international-commercial-court