Art law

Art law

We advise and represent institutional collectors, museums, galleries, art insurers and fine art shippers in the following areas:

  • Stolen art, restitution claims
  • Authenticity, art forgeries
  • Intellectual property
  • Loans of art and purchase/sale of art
  • Cultural property
  • Inheritance/charitable foundations
  • Art as a collateral

We have a profound knowledge of the art market and can access a broad network of art market specialists.

All expertises

Our experts

Contact person to the topic of Art law

Nothing found.

Get in contact


    Insolvency - economic crisis

    Insolvency - economic crisis

    Sales have stalled. You’re spending more than you’re making. The seller goes bankrupt before delivery. Newspapers report hard times. Invoices cannot be paid on time. The root causes must be identified quickly and eliminated using appropriate measures.

    In economic crisis situations of a company, not only economic assessment but also legal support is required. We can offer these services. We assist you in complex debt collection, restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings, take over restructuring or liquidations and represent creditors in the corresponding proceedings. To this end, we conduct insolvency proceedings such as tracing of estate assets, separation, appeal, collocation, dismissal of objection, arrest and help to negotiate with debtors, other creditors and authorities.

    All expertises

    Publications on the topic

    Note zu 5A_170/2012 vom 24. August 2012, Abtretung gemäss Art. 260 SchKG im IPR-Konkurs

    SZZP 2013, Nr. 1 ff., Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel, Genf, München

    Revision des Schweizerischen Sanierungsrechts

    Vortrag gehalten am 28. März 2012, Vereinigung der Zivilprozessrechtslehrer, Köln, Tagung Halle/Saale

    Note zu 5A_415/2011 vom 21. September 2011, Hilfskonkurs im internationalen Bankenkonkurs

    SZZP 2012, Nr. 1, 38 ff., Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

    Note zu 5A_282/2011 vom 23. Juni 2011, Rückweisungsentscheid und Lohnpfändung

    SZZP 2011, Nr. 6, 503 ff., Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

    Konzeptionelle Überlegungen zur Revision des Sanierungsrechts

    Vortrag gehalten am 15.05.2009, Schweizerische Konferenz der Hochschullehrer für Zivilverfahrensrecht, Tagung Zürich

    Betriebsübernahmen aus der Konkursmasse

    Insolvenz- und Wirtschaftsrecht, 1/2000, S. 19 - 21

    Our experts

    Contact persons to the topic of insolvency - economic crisis

    Nothing found.

    Get in contact


      Real estate

      Real estate

      We advise and support you in the purchase, sale and restructuring of your real estate. We offer all notarial services in connection with real estate and easements, and also support you in the event of legal disputes in connection with real estate.

      All expertises

      Our experts

      Contact person to real estate

      Nothing found.

      Get in contact


        Malpractice (defence)

        Malpractice (defence)

        We regularly represent defendants and insurers in proceedings to

        • defend themselves against liability claims of public and private hospitals, clinics, medical practices, dental practices and midwives against clinical negligence( medical liability and medical malpractice claims
        • defend themselves against liability claims of cantons, municipalities and state authorities (state liability in tort and liability for judicial activity claims)
        • defend themselves against liability claims of law firms (lawyer’s liabilitiy)

        We prepare expert opinions for defendants and their insurers to assess complex, high-value and sensitive cases and to develop appropriate defence strategies.

        Furthermore, we are the first point of contact in crises when medical personnel, public service employees or lawyers are confronted with accusations.

        In liability proceedings, we exclusively work for defendants and their insurers. We closely work with colleagues that are experienced criminal defence law.

        All expertises

        Our experts

        Contact persons to the topic of malpractice

        Nothing found.

        Get in contact


          Corporate law

          Corporate law

          Our primary focus is on corporate law issues faced by corporations in connection with their business activities in Switzerland, such as the formation and restructuring of subsidiaries, and intra-group financing.

          We assist you in preparation for general meetings and in matters of corporate governance, compensation for board members and their liability.

          In addition, we strengthen small and medium-sized companies in their day-to-day business and offer a comprehensive range of notarial business services.

          All expertises

          Publications on the topic

          Kommentar zu Art. 643 – 645 OR

          Schulthess Verlag, Zürich 2016

          Das Fusionsgesetz: Bewährungsprobe nach dem 8. Jahr

          Vortrag gehalten am 11. September 2012, Idé - Institut Droit et Economie, Schulthess Verlag, Zürich (Tagung Zürich)

          Die Spaltung von Gesellschaften – Kommentar zu Art. 32-35, 43-44 und 51-52 FusG

          Zürcher Kommentar zum Fusionsgesetz, 2. Auflage, Schulthess Zürich/Basel/Genf, 2012

          Die Spaltung von Gesellschaften – Kommentar zu Art. 32-35, 43-44, 51-52 und 64-57 FusG

          Zürcher Kommentar zum Fusionsgesetz, 2. Auflage, Schulthess, Zürich/Basel/Genf 2012

          Les formes d’implantation

          S'implanter en Suisse, Editions Ubifrance, 2010

          Commentaire de la LFus

          Commentaire Romand, CO II, Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

          Commentaire – Introduction à la Lfus

          Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

          Kommentar zu Art. 6 und 15 UWG

          Stämpfli Kommentar, Stämpfli, Bern

          Our experts

          Contact persons to corporate law

          Nothing found.

          Get in contact


            Non-profit organizations

            Non-profit organizations

            We advise you with and take you through the setting up and organization of non-profit institutions such as foundations and associations. Our many years of international experience in the fields of health care, culture, humanitarian affairs and nature conservation enable us to support you strategically not only in legal matters but also through our understanding.

            All expertises

            Our experts

            Contact persons to non-profit organizations

            Nothing found.

            Get in contact


              Financing and leasing

              Financing and leasing

              We support you in negotiating and preparing financing documentation for a variety of purposes, such as general corporate financing, acquisition financing and refinancing, as well as real estate, project and infrastructure financing. This includes preparing and implementing collateral security agreements for all types of assets.

              In the field of leasing and asset finance, we successfully represent lessors, lessees and manufacturers. We have in-depth experience in the financing of movable assets including aircraft, ships and vehicles.

              All expertises

              Our experts

              Contact persons to the topic of financing and leasing

              Nothing found.

              Get in contact


                Inheritance law

                Inheritance law

                We advise you on structuring your assets and on estate and succession planning in Switzerland, taking into consideration your needs and the tax implications. We advise on and register pension claims, wills and nuptial and inheritance contracts. We handle inheritances with due regard to the expert and amicable execution of inheritance distribution. Where an amicable division of the estate is not possible, we are available to settle disputes (also as mediators) and represent you in court proceedings.

                All expertises

                Publications on the topic

                Note zu 5A_243/2015 vom 12. August 2015, Entscheid über die definitive Nachlassstundung

                SZZP 2015, Nr. 6, S. 540 ff., Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel, Genf. München

                Kommentar zu Art. 626-632 ZGB

                Praxiskommentar Erbrecht, 3. Auflage, Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel 2015

                Die Willensvollstrecker – Kommentar zu Art. 517/518 ZGB

                Praxiskommentar Erbrecht, 2. Auflage, Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München 2011

                📄 Stolpersteine – Antworten auf die wichtigsten finanziellen und rechtlichen Fragen im Alter

                Vortrag gehalten am 27. Januar 2011 im Rahmen von Geld und Geist - Forum für Fragen aus Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft

                Kommentar zu Art. 637-640 ZGB (3. Aufl.)

                Praxiskommentar Erbrecht, Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

                Kommentar zu Art. 637-640 ZGB

                Praxiskommentar Erbrecht, Helbing & Lichtenhahn, Basel/Genf/München

                Our experts

                Contact persons to inheritance law

                Nothing found.

                Get in contact


                  Data protection

                  Data protection

                  We support you in further developing and offering your products and services in accordance with the applicable regulations. Our advice includes in particular the preparation and implementation of a data protection concept as well as the preparation and negotiation of data protection declarations, order processing and data transfer agreements. We provide support in relation to the Swiss revised data protection act and to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

                  All expertises

                  Our experts

                  Contact persons to the topic of data protection

                  Nothing found.

                  Get in contact


                    Labour law and personnel law

                    Employment law

                    The drafting of employment contracts, employment regulations and redundancy plans are just as much a part of our services as legal support in everyday life for restructuring, individual separations, compensation and bonus models or non-competition clauses. Our many years of experience in both private and public labour law make it possible to avoid or successfully resolve labour disputes.

                    In the event of a dispute, we represent your interests with the help of our extensive expertise and tremendous commitment. In addition, we also advise in matters relating to international issues, e.g., obtaining work permits.

                    All expertises

                    Our experts

                    Contact persons to employment law

                    Nothing found.

                    Get in contact