Coronavirus: influence on deadlines and court proceedings

<p>The Federal Council has ordered a legal standstill and a standstill of deadlines as well as restrictions on negotiations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).</p><ol><li><em>The Federal Council has decided on a legal standstill in accordance with the Federal Act on Debt Collection and Bankruptcy (SchkG):</em></li><ul> <li>From 19 March to and including 4 April 2020, the legal standstill in debt collection applies, i.e. debtors throughout Switzerland may not be subject to debt collection during this period. </li><li>Legal basis: <a>Ordinance on the legal standstill under Article 62 of the Federal Act on Debt Collection and Bankruptcy</a></li><li>In force since 21 March 2020 and valid until 19 April 2020.</li></ul><li><em>The Federal Council has decided to suspend the deadlines ordered by the authorities or courts:</em></li><ul> <li>Insofar as, in accordance with the applicable procedural law of the Confederation or the Canton, legal deadlines or deadlines ordered by the authorities or courts regarding Easter days are suspended, this suspension shall commence with the entry into force of the Ordinance on 21 March 2020 and shall last until 19 April 2020. </li><li>The standstill also applies to periods ordered by the authorities or courts with a specific end date between the entry into force of the Federal Council ordinance and 19 April 2020.</li><li>In this context, it is questionable how the court-ordered time limits with a certain end date will be dealt with if the end date occurs immediately after 19 April 2020, e.g. on 20 or 30 April 2020. Is an extension of the time limit granted at best? Is this granted automatically or only in response to a request for extension? We are currently in the process of clarifying these questions directly with the courts.</li><li>Legal basis:<a> Regulation on the standstill of time limits in civil and administrative proceedings for the maintenance of justice in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19)</a></li><li>In force since 21 March 2020 and valid until 19 April 2020.</li></ul><li><em>Zurich's courts have decided to restrict negotiations in the High Court, District Courts and Justice of the Peace offices of the Canton of Zurich: </em></li><ul> <li>On 16 March 2020, the Zurich courts decided to restrict the conduct of negotiations initially until 31 March 2020. On 20 March 2020, this restriction was temporarily extended until 26 April 2020.</li><li>This does not apply to procedures which, for legal or factual reasons, cannot be postponed or delayed.</li><li>Legal basis:</li><li><a>Media release of the High Court, the District Courts and the Arbitration Authority of 16 March 2020</a></li><li><a>Media release of the High Court as well as the District Courts and the Arbitration Authority of 20 March 2020</a></li></ul></ol>