| Dozent/in |
Prof. Dr. iur. Klaus Mathis; Prof. Dr. iur. Rodrigo Rodriguez; Prof. Dr. iur. Marc Thommen |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Sonderveranstaltung |
| Code |
FS261323 |
| Semester |
Frühjahrssemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Sonderveranstaltung |
| Studienstufe |
Master |
| Termin/e |
Di, 24.02.2026, 13:30 - 17:00 Uhr, Externer Standort, Water Tower, Lucerne
Di, 03.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 4.B54
Di, 10.03.2026, 14:00 - 16:00 Uhr, Externer Standort, Bourbaki, Lucerne
Di, 17.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 4.B54
Di, 24.03.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 4.B54
Mi, 25.03.2026, 14:00 - 16:00 Uhr, Externer Standort, Visit of a penal institution
Di, 21.04.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 4.B54
Di, 28.04.2026, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 4.B54
Mi, 29.04.2026, 14:00 - 16:00 Uhr, Externer Standort, Visit court hearing |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Turnus |
Detailed schedule see under Dates/Times |
| Inhalt |
The course gives an overview on Swiss law and provides incoming students with the background for their legal studies in Switzerland. Therefore, participation is highly recommended. The course comprises three main parts: (1) Constitutional Law (i.e. the history of Swiss Constitutional Law, organisational structure of the Swiss State, fundamental rights and the specific democratic political rights in Switzerland), (2) an introduction to the criminal justice system in Switzerland as well as (3) Civil Law (i.e. an overview of the law of persons, family law, contratcs, torts & Swiss company law). The lectures will be taught in class and on excursions.
Dates / Times:
Constitutional Law:
Prof. Klaus Mathis
24.02.2026, 13.30 – 17.00 Introduction to the Constitutional History of Switzerland (at Water Tower in Lucerne: lecture, guided tour and aperitif)
03.03.2026, 14.15 – 16.00 Introduction to Swiss Constitutional Law
10.03.2026, 14.00 – 16.00 Excursion to Bourbaki Panorama with Lunch
Criminal Law:
Prof. Marc Thommen
17.03.2026, 14.15 – 16.00 Introduction to Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law in Switzerland (l)
24.03.2026, 14.15 – 16.00 Introduction to Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law in Switzerland (ll)
25.03.2026, 14.00 – 16.00 Excursion to a Swiss Prison
Civil Law:
Prof. Rodrigo Rodriguez
21.04.2026, 14.15 – 16.00 Civil Law vs. Common Law: Sources and Procedural Differences / Private International Law
28.04.2025, 14.15 – 16.00 Contracts & Torts / Family Law / Associations & Corporations
29.04.2026, 14.00 – 16.00 Court hearing / visit |
| Lernziele |
The course aims at providing students with a good understanding of the Swiss legal system, the organisation of the Swiss state and the principles of the Swiss political system. |
| Voraussetzungen |
None |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Begrenzung |
Only for incoming exchange students |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Written exam, graded / 5 Credits
|
| Hinweise |
Lectures, partly replaced by excursions |
| Hörer-/innen |
Nein |
| Kontakt |
lehrstuhl-mathis@unilu.ch |
| Material |
Material will be either distributed in class or made available on OLAT. |
| Literatur |
What is indispensable?
• Walter Haller/Helen Keller, The Swiss Constitution in a nutshell, 3rd Edition, Zurich/St.Gall 2025 (will be distributed in class);
• Marc Thommen, Introduction to Swiss Law, 2nd Edition, Basel 2022 (https://suigeneris-verlag.ch/img/uploads/pdf/oa_pdf-026-1655904609.pdf);
• Further reading materials will be distributed in class or made available on OLAT.
Legislation required for the exam
• Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (will be distributed in class);
• Handout with selected provisions of the Swiss Civil Code and the Swiss Code of Obligations (will be provided).
• Handout with selected provisions of the Swiss Criminal Code and the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code (will be provided). |