A. The Apprenticeship Contract216
216 Amended by Annex No II 3 to the FA of 13 Dec. 2002 on Vocational and Professional Education and Training, in force since 1 Jan. 2004 (AS 2003 4557; BBl 2000 5686). |
Art. 344
A. I. Definition and conclusion 1. Definition An apprenticeship contract is a contract whereby the employer undertakes to provide an apprentice with the requisite training for a particular vocation and the apprentice undertakes to work in the employer’s service in order to acquire such training. |
Art. 344a
2. Conclusion and content 1 An apprenticeship contract is valid only if it is done in writing. 2 The contract must stipulate the nature and duration of the vocational training, the salary, the probation period, the working hours and the holiday entitlement. 3 The probation period must be no less than one month and no longer than three months. Where not stipulated by the parties in the contract, it is three months. 4 By agreement between the parties and with the consent of the cantonal authority, the probation period may exceptionally be extended before its expiry to a final duration of up to six months. 5 The contract may contain other terms, in particular regarding the supply of work tools, contributions towards the costs of board and lodgings, the payment of insurance premiums and other obligations to be performed by the parties. 6 Any agreement restricting the apprentice’s freedom to decide his vocational activities once the apprenticeship is complete is void. |
Art. 345
II. Effects 1. Special obligations of the trainee and his legal representative 1 The apprentice must do his utmost to achieve the goal of the apprenticeship. 2 The apprentice’s legal representative must do his best to support the employer in his task and to foster a good relationship between the employer and the apprentice. |
Art. 345a
2. Special obligations of the employer 1 The employer must ensure that the vocational training is supervised by a specialist with the necessary professional skills and personal qualities. 2 He must without deducting any salary allow the apprentice the time required to attend technical college and take interdisciplinary courses and to sit the vocational examinations on completion of the apprenticeship. 3 While the apprentice is still under the age of 20, the employer must grant him a holiday entitlement of at least five weeks per year of apprenticeship. 4 He may allocate work outside the relevant vocational field and piece work to the apprentice only insofar as such work is related to the vocation in which the apprentice is being instructed and the training is not thereby impaired. |
Art. 346
III. Termination 1. Early termination 1 During the probation period, the apprenticeship relationship may be terminated at any time by giving seven days’ notice. 2 The apprenticeship relationship may be terminated with immediate effect for good cause within the meaning of Article 337, and in particular where:
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Art. 346a
2. Certificate of apprenticeship 1 At the end of the apprenticeship, the employer must provide the apprentice with a certificate setting out the requisite information concerning the vocational training acquired and the duration of the apprenticeship. 2 At the request of the apprentice or his legal representative, the certificate must also give information on the skills, achievements and conduct of the apprentice. |
B. The Commercial Traveller’s Contract |
Art. 347
B. The Commercial Traveller’s Contract I. Definition and conclusion 1. Definition 1 Under a commercial traveller’s contract, the commercial traveller undertakes to broker or conclude all manner of transactions on behalf of the owner of a trading, manufacturing or other type of commercial company off the employer’s business premises in exchange for payment of a salary. 2 Any employee who is not primarily engaged in itinerant activities or who works only occasionally or temporarily for the employer or who acts as a travelling salesman for his own account is not considered a commercial traveller. |
Art. 347a
2. Conclusion and content 1 The employment relationship is defined by written contract which stipulates in particular:
2 In the absence of a written contract, the matters specified in the previous paragraph are determined by statutory provision and customary working conditions. 3 An oral agreement is valid only with regard to the commencement of service, the nature and location of the commercial travel and other terms that do not contradict the statutory provisions or the written contract. |
Art. 348
II. Obligations and authority of the commercial traveller 1. Special obligations 1 The commercial traveller must visit the clients in the prescribed manner unless there is just cause to vary it; he may neither broker nor conclude transactions on his own behalf or on behalf of a third party without the written consent of the employer. 2 Where the commercial traveller is authorised to conclude transactions, he must comply with the prescribed prices and other terms and conditions and must declare that any changes thereto are subject to approval by the employer. 3 The commercial traveller must report regularly on his activities, pass on all orders received immediately to the employer and notify the employer of any matters of note that concern his clients. |
Art. 348a
2. Del credere 1 Any agreement whereby the commercial traveller is made liable for the client’s payment or any other type of performance of the client’s obligations or for all or part of the recovery costs is void. 2 Where the commercial traveller concludes transactions with private individuals, he may by means of a written undertaking assume liability in a given transaction for at most one-quarter of the losses incurred by the employer as a result of non-performance of the client’s obligations, on condition that an appropriate del credere commission is agreed. 3 In the case of insurance policies the travelling insurance broker may by means of a written undertaking assume liability for at most one-half of the recovery costs where a single-payment premium or premium instalments are not paid and he seeks their recovery by way of legal action or compulsory execution. |
Art. 348b
3. Authority 1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a commercial traveller only has authority to broker transactions. 2 Where the commercial traveller is authorised to conclude transactions, his powers extend to all legal procedures normally associated with their execution; however, without special authority he may not take receipt of payments from clients nor approve payment periods. 3 Article 34 of the Federal Act of 2 April 1908217 on Insurance Policies is reserved. |
Art. 349
III. Special obligations of the employer 1. Area of activity 1 Where a particular area or clientele is allocated to the commercial traveller, it is deemed to have been allocated to him exclusively unless otherwise agreed in writing; however, the employer remains authorised to enter into transactions personally within the area or clientele allocated to the commercial traveller. 2 The employer may unilaterally vary the contractually stipulated area or clientele where legitimate reasons require such variation before expiry of the notice to terminate the contract; however, where this is the case, the commercial traveller is entitled to compensation and has good cause for termination of the employment relationship. |
Art. 349a
2. Salary a. In general 1 The employer must pay the commercial traveller a salary consisting of a fixed salary component with or without commission. 2 A written agreement whereby the salary consists exclusively or principally of commission is valid only if such commission gives appropriate remuneration for the services of the commercial traveller. 3 The salary may be freely determined by written agreement for a probation period of no more than two months. |
Art. 349b
b. Commission 1 Where an area or clientele is allocated exclusively to a commercial traveller, the agreed or customary commission is payable to him on all transactions concluded by him or his employer within such area or clientele. 2 If a particular area or clientele has not been allocated exclusively to him, the commercial traveller is entitled to commission only on transactions that he personally brokered or concluded. 3 Where it is not yet possible to calculate the precise value of a transaction when the commission falls due, the initial commission payable is based on the minimum value calculated by the employer, with the balance falling due at the latest when the transaction is executed. |
Art. 349c
c. Prevention from travelling 1 Where the commercial traveller through no fault of his own is prevented from travelling and his salary must nonetheless be paid to him by law or by contract, it is calculated on the basis of the fixed salary component plus appropriate compensation for loss of commission. 2 Where the commission makes up less than one-fifth of the salary, it may be agreed in writing that no compensation for loss of commission is owed to him should he be prevented from travelling through no fault of his own. 3 Where a commercial traveller who is prevented from travelling through no fault of his own receives his full salary, at the employer’s request he must carry out work on the business premises to the extent he is capable of such work and it may reasonably be required of him. |
Art. 349d
3. Expenses 1 Where the commercial traveller works for several employers at the same time and there is no written agreement stipulating how expenses are to be divided, each employer must reimburse an equal share. 2 Any agreement stipulating that the fixed salary component or commission includes reimbursement of all or part of the expenses is void. |
Art. 349e
4. Special lien 1 By way of securing claims due to him under the employment relationship and, in the event that the employer becomes insolvent, claims that are not yet due, the commercial traveller has a special lien on chattels and securities and on any payments received from clients by virtue of an authority to collect with which he has been vested. 2 The lien does not extend to travel tickets, price lists, client lists and other documents. |
Art. 350
IV. Termination 1. In special circumstances 1 Where commission makes up at least one-fifth of a commercial traveller’s salary and is subject to major seasonal fluctuations, and where the commercial traveller has worked for the employer since the end of the previous season, any notice of termination served on him by the employer during the following season may not expire until the end of the second month following the month in which it was served. 2 On the same conditions, where a commercial traveller has been retained by an employer until the end of one season any notice of termination given by him during the period prior to the beginning of the following season may not expire until the end of the second month following the month in which it was served. |
Art. 350a
2. Special consequences 1 At the end of the employment relationship, the commercial traveller is entitled to commission on all the transactions that he concluded or brokered and on all orders passed on to the employer before the end of the employment relationship, whatever the date of their acceptance or execution. 2 The commercial traveller must return to the employer all samples, patterns and models, price lists, customer lists and other documents supplied to him for his work activities by the end of the employment relationship, subject to the right of lien. |
C. The Homeworker’s Contract |
Art. 351
C. The Homeworker’s Contract I. Definition and conclusion 1. Definition Under a homeworker’s contract, the homeworker218 undertakes to work for the employer in return for a salary, such work to be carried out alone or with members of his family and in his home or on other premises of his choosing. 218Term in accordance with Art. 21 No 1 of the Homeworking Act of 20 March 1981, in force since 1 April 1983 (AS 1983 108; BBl 1980 II 282). This amendment is taken into account in Art. 351–354 and 362 para. 1. |
Art. 351a
2. Notification of conditions 1 Before each work assignment is given to the homeworker, the employer must inform him of the applicable conditions and specifications to the extent these are not already covered by the general terms and conditions of employment; he must specify the materials to be procured by the homeworker and state in writing the amounts to be reimbursed for such materials and the salary. 2 If information regarding the salary and the amounts to be reimbursed for materials procured by the homeworker is not given in writing before the work is allocated, the customary terms and conditions of employment are applicable. |
Art. 352
II. Special obligations of the home worker 1. Performance of the work 1 The homeworker must start the work he has accepted on time, finish it by the agreed deadline and deliver the results to the employer. 2 If the work is defective and the homeworker is at fault, he is obliged to rectify it at his own expense to the extent that the defects can be removed. |
Art. 352a
2. Materials and work tools 1 The homeworker is obliged to treat the materials and tools supplied by the employer with all due care, to give account of how they are used and to return tools and unused materials to the employer. 2 Where in the course of his work the homeworker notes defects in the materials or tools supplied, he must inform the employer immediately and await further instructions before continuing work. 3 Where the materials or tools supplied have been damaged through the fault of the homeworker, he is liable to the employer at most for the replacement cost. |
Art. 353
III. Special obligations of the employer 1. Acceptance of completed work 1 The employer must inspect the completed work on delivery and notify the homeworker of any defects within one week. 2 Where the employer fails to notify defects to the homeworker promptly, the work is deemed to have been accepted. |
Art. 353a
2. Salary a. Payment 1 Where the homeworker is engaged by the employer on a continuous basis, the salary for the work carried out is paid twice monthly or, with the homeworker’s consent, at the end of each month, and otherwise on delivery of the completed work. 2 Each salary payment must be accompanied by a written statement giving the reasons for any salary deductions that have been made. |
Art. 353b
b. When prevented from working 1 An employer who engages the home worker on a continuous basis is obliged pursuant to Articles 324 and 324a to pay his salary in the event that the employer fails to accept his work or he is prevented from working by personal circumstances for which he is not at fault. 2 In other cases the employer is not obliged to pay the salary pursuant to Articles 324 and 324a. |
Art. 354
IV. Termination 1 Where trial work is assigned to the homeworker, unless otherwise agreed the employment relationship is deemed to have been entered into on a trial basis for a fixed period. 2 Unless otherwise agreed, where the homeworker is engaged by the employer on a continuous basis, the employment relationship is deemed to have been entered into for an indefinite period, and in all other cases it is deemed to have been entered into for a fixed period. |
D. Applicability of General Provisions |
Section Three: The Collective Employment Contract and the Standard Employment Contract |
B. The Standard Employment Contract |
Art. 359
B. The Standard Employment Contract I. Definition and content 1 The standard employment contract is a contract in which clauses governing the formation, nature and termination of certain types of employment relationship are laid down. 2 The cantons shall draw up standard employment contracts for agricultural workers and domestic staff to regulate in particular working hours, leisure time and employment conditions for female employees and minors. 3 Article 358 is applicable mutatis mutandis to the standard employment contract. |
Art. 359a
II. Competent authorities and procedure 1 Where the scope of application of a standard employment contract extends over more than one canton, the Federal Council is responsible for issuing it, but otherwise the canton is responsible. 2 Before being issued, the standard employment contract shall be published in an appropriate manner and a time limit set within which interested parties may submit their comments in writing; furthermore, the relevant professional associations and public bodies shall be consulted. 3 The standard employment contract comes into force once it has been issued in accordance with the provisions governing official publications. 4 The same procedure applies to the rescission or amendment of a standard employment contract. |
Art. 360
III. Effects 1 Unless otherwise agreed, the standard employment contract applies directly to the employment relationships that it governs. 2 The standard employment contract may stipulate that agreements derogating from certain of its provisions must be done in writing. |
Art. 360a219
IV. Minimum wage 1. Requirements 1 Where the wages that are customary for a geographical area, occupation or industry are repeatedly and unfairly undercut within a particular occupation or economic sector and there is no collective employment contract laying down a minimum wage that may be declared universally binding, on application by the tripartite commission as defined in Article 360b,the competent authority may issue a fixed-term standard employment contract providing for a minimum wage varied by region and, where applicable, by locality in order to combat or prevent abusive practices. 2 The minimum wage must not conflict with the public interest or prejudice the legitimate interests of other economic sectors or sections of the population. It must have due regard to the minority interests of the economic sectors or occupations concerned that stem from regional and business diversity. 3 In the case of repeated infringements of the provisions on the minimum wage in a standard employment contract in accordance with paragraph 1 or if there is evidence that no longer using the standard employment contract may lead to further abusive practices in terms of paragraph 1, at the request of the tripartite commission, the competent authority may extend the standard employment contract for a limited period.220 219 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2004 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). 220 Inserted by No II of the FA of 30 Sept. 2016, in force since 1 April 2017 (AS 2017 2077; BBl 2015 5845). |
Art. 360b221
2. Tripartite commissions 1 The Confederation and each canton shall establish a tripartite commission consisting of an equal number of employers’ and employees’ representatives in addition to representatives of the state. 2 Employers’ and employees’ associations have the right to put forward candidates for selection as their representatives within the meaning of paragraph 1. 3 The commissions monitor the labour market. If they observe abusive practices within the meaning of Article 360a paragraph 1, they normally seek to reach agreement directly with the employers concerned. Where this cannot be achieved within two months, they petition the competent authority to issue a standard employment contract fixing a minimum wage for the affected sectors or occupations. 4 If labour market conditions in the affected sectors change, the tripartite commission petitions the competent authority to amend or rescind the standard employment contract. 5 To enable them to discharge their responsibilities, the tripartite commissions have the right to obtain information and inspect any business document necessary to the conduct of their investigation. In the event of a dispute, a ruling is given by a body specially appointed for this purpose by the Confederation or the canton, as applicable. 6 Where necessary for the conduct of their investigations, on application the tripartite commissions may obtain personal data contained in corporate collective employment contracts from the Federal Statistical Office.222 221 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2003 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). 222 Inserted by Art. 2 No 2 of the FA of 17 Dec. 2004 approving and implementing the Protocol relating to the extension of the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation, of the one part, and the EU and its member states, of the other part, on the free movement of persons to new EU member states and approving the revision of the accompanying measures on the free movement of persons, in force since 1 April 2006 (AS 2006 979; BBl 2004 58916565). |
Art. 360c223
3. Official secrecy 1 The members of tripartite commissions are subject to official secrecy; in particular they are obliged to keep secret from third parties any information of a commercial or private nature gained in the exercise of their office. 2 Such duty of secrecy remains in force even after membership of the tripartite commission has ceased. 223 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2003 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). |
Art. 360d224
4. Effects 1 The standard employment contract as defined in Article 360a also applies to employees who work only temporarily within its geographical scope and to employees whose services have been loaned out. 2 It is not permissible to derogate from a standard employment contract as defined in Article 360a to the detriment of the employee. 224 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2004 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). |
Art. 360e225
5. Associations’ right of action Employers’ and employees’ associations have the right to apply for a declaratory judgment as to whether an employer is in compliance with the standard employment contract as defined in Article 360a. 225 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2004 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). |
Art. 360f226
6. Notification A canton issuing a standard employment contract pursuant to Article 360a must forward a copy to the competent federal office227. 226 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 8 Oct. 1999 on Workers posted to Switzerland, in force since 1 June 2004 (AS 2003 1370; BBl 1999 6128). 227 Now the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). |
Section Four: Mandatory Provisions |
Art. 361
A. Provisions from which no derogation is permissible to the detriment of the employer or the employee 1 It is not permissible to derogate from the following provisions to the detriment of either the employer or the employee by individual agreement, standard employment contract or collective employment contract:
2 Any agreement or clause of a standard employment contract or collective employment contract that derogates from the aforementioned provisions to the detriment of the employer or the employee is void. 228Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 17 Dec. 1993 on the Vesting of Occupational Old Age, Survivors' and Invalidity Benefits, in force since 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 2386; BBl 1992 III 533). 229Repealed by Annex No 2 to the FA of 17 Dec. 1993 on the Vesting of Occupational Old Age, Survivors' and Invalidity Benefits, with effect from 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 2386; BBl 1992 III 533). 230Inserted by the Annex to the FA of 21 June 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 4111; BBl 2010 6455). 231 Repealed by Annex No 5 to the Civil Jurisdiction Act of 24 March 2000, with effect from 1 Jan. 2001 (AS 2000 2355; BBl 1999 III 2829). 232Amended by No I of the FA of 18 March 1988, in force since 1 Jan. 1989 (AS 1988 1472; BBl 1984 II 551). |
Art. 362
B. Provisions from which no derogation is permissible to the detriment of the employee 1 It is not permissible to derogate from the following provisions to the detriment of the employee by individual agreement, standard employment contract or collective employment contract:233
2 Any agreement or clause of a standard employment contract or collective employment contract that derogates from the aforementioned provisions to the detriment of the employee is void. 233Amended by No II 1 of the FA of 20 Dec. 2019 on Improving the Compatibility of Employment and Caring for Family Members, in force since 1 Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 4525; BBl 2019 4103). 234Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 19 June 1992 on Data Protection, in force since 1 July 1993 (AS 1993 1945; BBl 1988 II 413). 235Inserted by Art. 13 of the FA of 6 Oct. 1989 on Youth Work, in force since 1 Jan. 1991 (AS 1990 2007; BBl 1988 I 825). 236 Inserted by Annex No 12 Annex No 1 to the FA of 3 Oct. 2003, in force since 1 July 2005 (AS 2005 1429; BBl 2002 7522, 2003 11122923). 237 Inserted by No II 1 of the FA of 20 Dec. 2019 on Improving the Compatibility of Employment and Caring for Family Members (AS 2020 4525; BBl 2019 4103). Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Daily Allowance for the Surviving Parent), in force since 1 Jan. 2024 (AS 2023 680; BBl 2022 2515, 2742). 238 Inserted by Annex No 1 of the FA of 17 March 2023 (Daily Allowance for the Surviving Parent), in force since 1 Jan. 2024 (AS 2023 680; BBl 2022 2515, 2742). 239 Inserted by No II 1 of the FA of 20 Dec. 2019 on Improving the Compatibility of Employment and Caring for Family Members, in force since 1 Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 4525; BBl 2019 4103). 240 Inserted by No II 1 of the FA of 20 Dec. 2019 on Improving the Compatibility of Work and Caring for Family Members, in force since 1 July 2021 (AS 2020 4525; BBl 2019 4103). 241 Inserted by Annex No 1 of the FA of 1 Oct. 2021, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 468; BBl 2019 7095, 7303). 242Amended by Annex No 2 to the FA of 17 Dec. 1993 on the Vesting of Occupational Old Age, Survivors' and Invalidity Benefits, in force since 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 2386; BBl 1992 III 533). 243Repealed by Annex No 2 to the FA of 17 Dec. 1993 on the Vesting of Occupational Old Age, Survivors' and Invalidity Benefits, with effect from 1 Jan. 1995 (AS 1994 2386; BBl 1992 III 533). 244 Inserted by No II 1 of the FA of 20 Dec. 2019 on Improving the Compatibility of Employment and Caring for Family Members, in force since 1 Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 4525; BBl 2019 4103). 245Inserted by the Annex to the FA of 21 June 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 4111; BBl 2010 6455). 246Inserted by the Annex to the FA of 21 June 2013, in force since 1 Jan. 2014 (AS 2013 4111; BBl 2010 6455). 247 Now: the employer. 248Amended by No I of the FA of 18 March 1988, in force since 1 Jan. 1989 (AS 1988 1472; BBl 1984 II 551). |
Title Eleven: The Work Contract |
Art. 364
B. Effects I. Contractor’s obligations 1. In general 1 The contractor generally has the same duty of care as the employee in an employment relationship.249 2 The contractor is obliged to carry out the work in person or to have it carried out under his personal supervision, unless the nature of the work is such that his personal involvement is not required. 3 Unless otherwise required by agreement or custom, the contractor is obliged to supply the resources, tools and machinery necessary for producing the work at his own expense. 249Amended by No II Art. 1 No 6 of the FA of 25 June 1971, in force since 1 Jan. 1972 (AS 1971 1465; BBl 1967 II 241). See also the Final and Transitional Provisions of Title X, at the end of this Code. |
Art. 365
2. Regarding materials 1 Where the contractor is responsible for supplying the materials, he is liable to the customer for their quality and has the same warranty obligation as a seller. 2 Where materials are supplied by the customer, the contractor must treat them with all due care, give account of how they are used and return any that remain unused to the customer. 3 If, when producing the work, the contractor notes defects in the materials supplied or in the designated construction site or if any other circumstance arises which might compromise the correct or timely production of the work, he must inform the customer immediately, failing which he shall himself be liable for any adverse consequences. |
Art. 366
3. Prompt commencement and contractual production of the work 1 Where the contractor does not begin the work on time or delays its production in breach of contract or, through no fault of the customer, falls so far behind that there is no longer any prospect of completing the work on time, the customer is entitled to withdraw from the contract without waiting for the agreed delivery date. 2 Where during the production of the work it becomes evident that, through the fault of the contractor, the work will be produced in a manner that is defective or otherwise contrary to the contract, the customer may set the contractor or have the contractor set an appropriate time limit within which to take remedial action and notify him that any failure to do so will result in the hire of a third party to take such remedial action or to complete the work at the risk and expense of the contractor. |
Art. 367
4. Liability for defects a. Identification of defects 1 The customer must inspect the condition of the delivered or completed work as soon as feasible in the normal course of business and must inform the contractor of any defects discovered. 2 Each party is entitled to request that the work be inspected by experts at his own expense and that a legal record be made of their findings. |
Art. 368
b. Rights of the customer in the event of defects 1 Where the work is so defective or deviates from the contractual terms to such an extent that the customer has no use for it or cannot reasonably be expected to accept it, the customer may refuse acceptance and, if the contractor is at fault, seek damages. 2 In the case of minor defects in the work or only slight deviations from the contractual terms, the customer may reduce the price in proportion to the decrease in its value or require the contractor to rectify the work at his own expense and to pay damages if he was at fault, provided such rectification is possible without excessive cost to the contractor. 3 In the case of works produced on the customer’s land or property which by their nature cannot be removed without disproportionate detriment, the customer has only the rights stipulated in paragraph 2. |
Art. 369
c. Customer’s liability The rights accruing to the customer in respect of defects in the work are forfeited if he is at fault for such defects due to having given instructions concerning production of the work that were contrary to the express warnings of the contractor or for any other reason. |
Art. 370
d. Approval of the work 1 Once the completed work has been expressly or tacitly approved by the customer, the contractor is released from all liability save in respect of defects which could not have been discovered on acceptance and normal inspection or were deliberately concealed by the contractor. 2 Tacit approval is presumed where the customer omits to inspect the work and give notice of defects as provided by law. 3 Where defects come to light only subsequently, the customer must notify the contractor as soon as he becomes aware of them, otherwise the work is deemed to have been approved even in respect of such defects. |
Art. 371250
e. Prescription 1 The right of the customer to bring claims due to defects in the work prescribes two years from acceptance of the work. However, the prescriptive period amounts to five years where defects in a movable object that has been incorporated in an immovable work in a manner consistent with its nature and purpose have caused the work to be defective. 2 The customer’s claims in respect of defects in an immovable work against both the contractor and any architect or engineer who provided services in connection with such work prescribe five years after completion of the work. 3 Otherwise the rules governing prescription of the corresponding rights of a buyer apply mutatis mutandis. 250 Amended by No I of the FA of 16 March 2012 (Limitation Periods for Guarantee Claims. Extension and Coordination), in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 5415; BBl 2011 28893903). |
Art. 372
II. Customer’s obligations 1. Due date for payment 1 The customer must pay for the work on completion or delivery. 2 Where the work is delivered in stages and payment in instalments has been agreed, the amount due for each stage of the work is payable on delivery thereof. |
Art. 373
2. Amount of payment a. Firm commitment 1 Where the payment was fixed in advance as an exact amount, the contractor is obliged to produce the work for the agreed amount and may not charge more even if the work entailed more labour or greater expense than predicted. 2 However, where production of the work was prevented or seriously hindered by extraordinary circumstances that were unforeseeable or excluded according to the conditions assumed by both parties, the court may at its discretion authorise an increase in the price or the termination of the contract. 3 The customer must pay the full price even where the work has entailed less labour than predicted. |
Art. 375
C. Termination I. Withdrawal because estimate exceeded 1 Where an estimate agreed with the contractor is exceeded by a disproportionate amount through no fault of the customer, he has the right to withdraw from the contract before or after completion. 2 In the case of construction work carried out on his land or property, the customer is entitled to an appropriate reduction in the price or, if the work is not yet complete, to call a halt to the work and withdraw from the contract against equitable compensation for work already done. |
Art. 376
II. Destruction of the work 1 If the work is destroyed by accident prior to completion or delivery, the contractor is not entitled to payment for work done or of expenses incurred unless the customer is in default on acceptance of the work. 2 In this case any loss of materials is borne by the party that supplied them. 3 Where the work has been destroyed either due to a defect in the materials supplied or in the construction site designated by the customer or as a result of the method of production that he prescribed, the contractor shall be entitled to payment for the work already done and of expenses incurred that were not included in the price, provided he alerted the customer to the risks in good time, and also to damages if the customer was at fault. |
Art. 378
IV. Impossibility of performance for reasons attributable to the customer 1 Where completion of the work is rendered impossible by chance occurrence affecting the customer, the contractor is entitled to payment for the work already done and of expenses incurred that were not included in the price. 2 Where the customer is at fault for the impossibility of performance, the contractor may also claim damages. |
Art. 379
V. Death or incapacity of the contractor 1 Where the contractor dies or becomes incapable of finishing the work through no fault of his own, the work contract becomes void if it was concluded in view of the personal attributes of the contractor. 2 The customer is obliged to accept and pay for work already done to the extent it is of use to him. |
Title Thirteen: The Mandate |
Section One: The Simple Mandate |
Art. 394
A. Definition 1 A mandate is a contract whereby the mandatee undertakes to conduct certain business or provide certain services in accordance with the terms of the contract. 2 Contracts for the provision of work or services not covered by any other specific type of contract are subject to the provisions governing mandates. 3 Remuneration is payable where agreed or customary. |
Art. 396
C. Effects I. Scope of the mandate 1 Unless expressly defined, the scope of the mandate is determined by the nature of the business to which it relates. 2 In particular, it includes the authority to carry out such transactions as are required for performance of the mandate. 3 The mandatee requires special authority to agree a settlement, accept an arbitration award, accept liabilities under a bill of exchange, alienate or encumber land or make gifts.251 251 Amended by Annex 1 No II 5 of the Civil Procedure Code of 19 Dec. 2008, in force since 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 1739; BBl 2006 7221). |
Art. 397
II. Obligations of the mandatee 1. Compliance with instructions 1 A mandatee who has received instructions from the mandator on how to conduct the business entrusted to him may deviate from them only to the extent that circumstances prevent him from obtaining the mandator’s permission and that he may safely assume such permission would have been forthcoming had the mandator been aware of the situation. 2 Where such conditions are not satisfied and the mandatee nevertheless deviates from the mandator’s instructions to the latter’s detriment, the mandate is deemed to have been performed only if the mandatee accepts liability for the resultant damage. |
Art. 397a252
1bis. Duty to notify If it is anticipated that the mandator will become permanently incapable of judgement, the mandatee must notify the adult protection authority at the mandator's domicile if such notification appears appropriate in order to safeguard the interests concerned. 252 Inserted by Annex No 10 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2008 (Adult Protection, Law of Persons and Law of Children), in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2011 725; BBl 20067001). |
Art. 398
2. Faithful performance a. In general 1 The mandatee generally has the same duty of care as the employee in an employment relationship.253 2 The mandatee is liable to the mandator for the diligent and faithful performance of the business entrusted to him. 3 He must conduct such business in person unless authorised or compelled by circumstance to delegate it to a third party or where such delegation is deemed admissible by custom. 253Amended by No II Art. 1 No 7 of the FA of 25 June 1971, in force since 1 Jan. 1972 (AS 1971 1465; BBl 1967 II 241). See also the Final and Transitional Provisions of Title X, at the end of this Code. |
Art. 399
b. In the event of delegation 1 A mandatee who has delegated the business entrusted to him to a third party without authority is liable for the latter’s actions as if they were his own. 2 Where such delegation was authorised, he is liable only for any failure to act with due diligence when selecting and instructing the third party. 3 In both cases, claims held by the mandatee against the third party may be enforced by the mandator directly against the third party. |
Art. 400
3. Account of agency 1 The mandatee is obliged at the mandator’s request, which may be made at any time, to give an account of his activities under the mandate and to return anything received for whatever reason as a result of such activities. 2 He must pay interest on any sums which he is late in forwarding to the mandator. |
Art. 401
4. Transfer of acquired rights 1 Where the mandatee acting on the mandator’s behalf acquires claims in his own name against third parties, such claims pass to the mandator provided he has fulfilled all his obligations towards the mandatee under the mandate relationship. 2 The same applies in relation to the mandatee’s assets if the mandatee is bankrupt. 3 Similarly, where the mandatee is bankrupt, the mandator may claim chattels of which the mandatee took possession in his own name but on the mandator’s behalf, subject to the mandatee’s own rights of lien. |
Art. 402
III. Obligations of the mandator 1 The mandator is obliged to reimburse the mandatee for expenses incurred in the proper performance of the mandate plus interest and to release him from obligations entered into. 2 The mandator must also compensate the mandatee for any damage incurred in performance of the mandate unless the mandator can prove that the damage occurred through no fault of his own. |
Art. 403
IV. Liability of joint mandators and mandatees 1 Where several persons conclude a mandate as mandators, they are jointly and severally liable to the mandatee. 2 Where several persons conclude a mandate as mandatees, they are jointly and severally liable to the mandator and, save to the extent they are authorised to delegate to third parties, may commit the mandator only through joint action. |
Art. 405
2. Death, incapacity, bankruptcy 1 Unless otherwise agreed or implied by the nature of the business, the mandate ends on loss of capacity to act, bankruptcy, death or declaration of presumed death of the mandator or the mandatee.254 2 However, where termination of the mandate jeopardises the mandator’s interests, the mandatee, his heir or his representative is obliged to continue conducting the business until such time as the mandator, his heir or his representative is able to conduct it himself. 254 Amended by Annex No 10 of the FA of 19 Dec. 2008 (Adult Protection, Law of Persons and Law of Children), in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2011 725; BBl 20067001). |
The Marriage or Partnership Brokerage MandateSection Onebisbis:255255
255 Inserted by Annex No 2 to the FA of 26 June 1998, in force since 1 Jan. 2000 (AS 1999 1118; BBl 1996 I 1). |
Art. 406a
A. Definition and applicable law 1A person accepting a mandate to broker a marriage or partnership undertakes, in exchange for remuneration, to introduce the mandator to persons who are potential spouses or long-term partners. 2 The provisions governing simple mandates are applicable by way of supplement to marriage or partnership brokerage mandates. |
Art. 406b
B. Introduction of or to foreign nationals I. Costs of return journey 1 Where the person to be introduced travels from or to a foreign destination, the mandatee must reimburse the costs of the return journey if this takes place within six months of arrival. 2 Where the local authority has borne such costs, it is subrogated to the claim held by the person introduced against the mandatee. 3 The mandatee may claim reimbursement of such travel costs from the mandator only up to the maximum amount stipulated in the contract. |
Art. 406c
II. Duty to obtain a licence 1 Professional marriage and partnership brokerage activities involving foreign nationals require a licence issued by the authority designated by cantonal law and are regulated by that authority. 2 The Federal Council shall issue the implementing provisions and determine in particular:
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Art. 406d
C. Form and content The contract must be done in writing and contain the following information:
256Amended by No I of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Revision of the right of revocation), in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 4107; BBl 2014 9212993). 257Amended by No I of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Revision of the right of revocation), in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 4107; BBl 2014 9212993). |
Art. 406e258
D. Entry into force, revocation, notice of termination 1 The contract does not become binding on the mandator until 14 days after he receives a duplicate signed by both parties. The mandatee must not accept any payment from the mandator before the 14-day period has expired. 2 During the period under paragraph 1, the mandator may give written notice of the revocation of his offer to enter into the contract or of his acceptance of the offer. Any advance waiver of this right is invalid. In addition, the provisions on the consequences of revocation (Art. 40f) apply mutatis mutandis. 3 Notice of termination must be done in writing. 258Amended by No I of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Revision of the right of revocation), in force since 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 4107; BBl 2014 9212993). |
Art. 406f259
E. ... 259Repealed by No I of the FA of 19 June 2015 (Revision of the right of revocation), with effect from 1 Jan. 2016 (AS 2015 4107; BBl 2014 9212993). |
Art. 406g
F. Information and data protection 1 Before the contract is signed and throughout its duration, the mandatee must inform the mandator of any particular difficulties pertaining to the latter’s personal circumstances that might arise in the performance of the obligations thereunder. 2 When processing the mandator’s personal data, the mandatee is bound by a duty of discretion; the provisions of the Data Protection Act of 25 September 2020260 apply.261 261 Amended by Annex 1 No II 18 of the Data Protection Act of 25 Sept. 2020, in force since 1 Sept. 2023 (AS 2022 491; BBl 2017 6941). |
Section Three: The Brokerage Contract |
Art. 412
A. Definition and form 1 A brokerage contract is a contract whereby the broker is given the mandate to arrange an opportunity to conclude a contract or to facilitate the conclusion of a contract in exchange for a fee. 2 The brokerage contract is generally subject to the provisions governing simple mandates. |
Art. 413
B. Broker’s fee I. When due 1 The broker’s fee becomes payable as soon as the information he has given or the intermediary activities he has carried out result in the conclusion of the contract. 2 Where the contract is concluded subject to a condition precedent, the fee becomes due only once such condition has been satisfied. 3 Where there is a contractual undertaking to reimburse the broker’s expenses, the broker may request such reimbursement even if the transaction fails to materialise. |
Art. 416262
IV. ... 262 Repealed by Annex No 2 to the FA of 26 June 1998, with effect from 1 Jan. 2000 (AS 1999 1118; BBl 1996 I 1). |
Art. 417263
V. Excessive fees Where an excessive fee has been agreed for identifying an opportunity to conclude or for facilitating the conclusion of an individual employment contract or a purchase of immovable property, on application by the debtor the court may reduce the fee to an appropriate amount. 263Amended by No II, Art. 1, No 8 of the FA of 25 June 1971, in force since 1 Jan. 1972 (AS 1971 1465; BBl 1967 II 241). See also the Final and Transitional Provisions of Title X, at the end of this Code. |
Section Four: The Agency Contract264
264Inserted by No I of the FA of 4 Feb. 1949, in force since 1 Jan. 1950 (AS 1949 I 802; BBl 1947 III 661). See also the Final and Transitional Provisions of Title XIII, at the end of this Code. |
Art. 418a
A. General I. Definition 1 An agent is a person who undertakes to act on a continuous basis as an intermediary for one or more principals in facilitating or concluding transactions on their behalf and for their account without entering into an employment relationship with them.265 2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the provisions of this Section also apply to persons acting as agents by way of secondary occupation. The provisions governing del credere, prohibition of competition and termination of contracts for good cause may not be excluded to the detriment of the agent. 265Amended by No II Art. 1 No 8 and 9 of the FA of 25 June 1971, in force since 1 Jan. 1972 (AS 1971 1465; BBl 1967 II 241). See also the Final and Transitional Provisions of Title X, at the end of this Code. |
Art. 418b
II. Applicable law 1 The provisions governing brokerage contracts apply by way of supplement to agents acting as intermediaries and those governing commissions apply by way of supplement to agents acting as proxies. 2 ...266 266Repealed by No 1 let. b of the Annex to the FA of 18 Dec. 1987 on Private International Law (IPLA ), with effect from 1 Jan. 1989 (AS 1988 1776; BBl 1983 I 263). |
Art. 418c
B. Obligations of the agent I. General and del credere 1 The agent must safeguard the principal’s interests with the diligence of a prudent businessman. 2 Except where otherwise agreed in writing, the agent may also act for other principals. 3 He may assume liability for the client’s payment or any other type of performance of the client’s obligations or for all or part of the costs of recovering receivables only by means of a written undertaking. The agent thereby acquires an inalienable entitlement to adequate special remuneration. |
Art. 418d
II. Duty of discretion and prohibition of competition 1 The agent must not exploit or reveal the principal’s trade secrets with which he has been entrusted or of which he became aware by reason of the agency relationship even after the end of the commercial agency contract. 2 The provisions governing service contracts apply mutatis mutandis to a contractual prohibition of competition. Where such a prohibition has been agreed, on termination of the contract the agent has an inalienable entitlement to adequate special remuneration. |
Art. 418e
C. Powers of representation 1 The agent is considered to be authorised only to facilitate transactions, to receive notices of defects and other declarations whereby clients exercise or reserve their rights in respect of defective performance by the principal, and to exercise the principal’s rights to secure evidence thereof. 2 By contrast, the agent is not considered to be authorised to accept payments, to grant time limits for payments or to agree other modifications of the contract with clients. 3 Articles 34 and 44 paragraph 3 of the Federal Act of 2 April 1908 on Insurance Policies267 are reserved. |
Art. 418f
D. Obligations of the principal I. In general 1 The principal must do everything in his power to enable the agent to perform his activities successfully. In particular, he must furnish the agent with the necessary documentation. 2 He must notify the agent immediately if he anticipates that the number and/or volume of transactions that will be possible or desirable is likely to be substantially smaller than was agreed or to be expected in the circumstances. 3 Where a particular area or clientele is allocated to the agent, it is allocated to him exclusively unless otherwise agreed in writing. |
Art. 418g
II. Commission 1. On business facilitated and concluded a. Scope and entitlement 1 The agent is entitled to the agreed or customary commercial agent’s commission or sales commission on all transactions that he facilitated or concluded during the agency relationship and, unless otherwise agreed in writing, on transactions concluded during the agency relationship by the principal without the agent’s involvement but with clients acquired by him for transactions of that kind. 2 An agent to whom a particular area or clientele has been allocated exclusively is entitled to the agreed commission or, in the absence of such an agreement, the customary commission on all transactions concluded during the agency relationship with clients belonging to that area or clientele. 3 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the entitlement to the commission is established as soon as the transaction has been validly concluded with the client. |
Art. 418h
b. Lapse of entitlement 1 The agent’s entitlement to commission lapses subsequently where the execution of a concluded transaction is prevented for reasons not attributable to the principal. 2 By contrast, the agent is not entitled to any commission where no consideration is given in return for the principal's performance, or where the consideration is so limited that the principal cannot reasonably be expected to pay any commission. |
Art. 418k
d. Statement of commission 1 Where the agent is not obliged by written agreement to draw up a statement of commission, the principal must provide him with a written statement as at each due date indicating the transactions on which commission is payable. 2 On request, the agent must be granted access to the books of account or supporting documents that are relevant to such statement. The agent may not waive this right in advance. |
Art. 418l
2. Collection commission 1 Unless otherwise provided by agreement or custom, the agent is entitled to a collection commission on any amounts he collects and delivers to the principal in accordance with the latter’s instructions. 2 At the end of the agency relationship the agent loses his authority to collect payments and his entitlement to further collection commission. |
Art. 418m
III. Inability to work 1 The principal is obliged to pay the agent appropriate compensation if, in breach of his legal or contractual obligations, he is at fault in preventing the agent from earning the volume of commission that was agreed or to be expected in the circumstances. Any agreement to the contrary is void. 2 Where an agent who is permitted to represent only one principal at a time is prevented from working through no fault of his own by illness, Swiss compulsory military service or similar reasons, he is entitled for a relatively short period to adequate compensation for loss of income, provided the commercial agency contract has lasted for at least one year. The agent may not waive this right in advance. |
Art. 418n
IV. Costs and expenses 1 Unless otherwise provided by agreement or custom, the agent is not entitled to reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in the normal performance of his duties, but is entitled to reimbursement of those incurred as a result of special instructions issued by the principal or in the capacity of agent without authority for the principal, such as freight charges and customs duties. 2 The duty to reimburse costs and expenses obtains even where the transaction fails to materialise. |
Art. 418o
V. Special lien 1 By way of securing claims due to him under the commercial agency relationship and, in the event that the principal becomes insolvent, claims that are not yet due, the agent has a special lien on chattels and securities that he holds pursuant to the contract and on any payments received from clients by virtue of an authority to collect with which he has been vested, and this right of lien may not be waived in advance. 2 The lien does not extend to price lists and client lists. |
Art. 418p
E. Termination I. Expiry of duration 1 Where the commercial agency contract was concluded for a fixed term or its duration is limited by virtue of its purpose, it ends without notice on expiry of that term. 2 Where a fixed-term commercial agency contract is tacitly extended by both parties on expiry of its duration, it is deemed to have been renewed for the same duration subject to a maximum of one year. 3 Where termination is subject to prior notice, failure by both parties to give notice is deemed tacit renewal of the contract. |
Art. 418q
II. Notice of termination 1. In general 1 Where the commercial agency contract was not concluded for a fixed term and its duration is not limited by virtue of its purpose, it may be terminated by either party during the first year of the contract by giving one month’s notice expiring at the end of the following calendar month. Any agreement of a shorter notice period must be done in writing. 2 Where the contract has lasted for at least one year, it may be terminated by giving two months’ notice expiring at the end of a calendar quarter. However, the parties may agree a longer notice period or a different termination date. 3 The notice period must be the same for both the principal and the agent. |
Art. 418t
IV. Claims of the agent 1. Commission 1 Unless otherwise provided by agreement or custom, the agent is entitled to commission on orders subsequently placed by a client acquired by him during the agency relationship only if such orders are placed before the end of the commercial agency contract. 2 On termination of the agency relationship, all the agent’s claims for commission or reimbursement of expenses fall due. 3 A later due date may be agreed in writing for commission on transactions to be performed in full or in part after the agency relationship has ended. |
Art. 418u
2. Compensation for clientele 1 Where the agent’s activities have resulted in a substantial expansion of the principal’s clientele and considerable benefits accrue even after the end of the agency relationship to the principal or his legal successor from his business relations with clients acquired by the agent, the agent or his heirs have an inalienable claim for adequate compensation, provided this is not inequitable. 2 The amount of such claim must not exceed the agent’s net annual earnings from the agency relationship calculated as the average for the last five years or, where shorter, the average over the entire duration of the contract. 3 No claim exists where the agency relationship has been dissolved for a reason attributable to the agent. |
Title Sixteen: The Contract of Carriage |
Art. 441
B. Effects I. Obligations of the carrier 1. Required information 1 The consignor must give the carrier precise details of the address of the consignee and the place of delivery, the number, type of packaging, weight and content of packages, the delivery date and the transport route, as well as the value of any valuable objects. 2 The consignor is liable for any detriment arising from missing or inaccurate details. |
Art. 442
2. Packaging 1 The consignor ensures that the goods are properly packaged. 2 He is liable for the consequences of defects in packaging that are not externally apparent. 3 By contrast, the carrier is liable for the consequences of defects that were externally apparent if he accepted the goods without reservation. |
Art. 443
3. Power of disposal over freight 1 While the goods are in the carrier’s possession, the consignor has the right to reclaim them against compensation for the carrier for expenses incurred and any detriment resulting from their repossession, except where:
2 In these cases the carrier is obliged to comply solely with the consignee’s instructions, although where the consignor has arranged for an acknowledgement of receipt to be issued by the carrier and the goods have not yet arrived at destination, the carrier is bound by such instructions only if the acknowledgement of receipt has been delivered to the consignee. |
Art. 444
II. Position of the carrier 1. Treatment of freight a. Delivery not possible 1 Where the goods are rejected, the associated claims remain unpaid or the consignee cannot be contacted, the carrier must inform the consignor and in the interim place the goods in storage or deposit them with a third party at the risk and expense of the consignor. 2 If neither consignor nor consignee disposes of the goods within a reasonable period, in the same manner as a commission agent the carrier may apply to the competent authority at the place where the goods are located to arrange to have them sold in favour of the rightful beneficiary. |
Art. 445
b. Sale 1 Where the goods are likely to deteriorate rapidly or their probable value does not cover the associated costs, the carrier must without delay arrange for official confirmation of that fact and may arrange for the sale of the goods in the same manner as when delivery is not possible. 2 Where possible, the interested parties must be informed that such sale has been ordered. |
Art. 447
2. Liability of the carrier a. Loss or destruction of the goods 1 If the goods are lost or destroyed, the carrier must compensate their full value unless he can prove that the loss or destruction resulted from the nature of the goods or through the fault of the consignor or the consignee or occurred as a result of instructions given by either or of circumstances which could not have been prevented even by the diligence of a prudent carrier. 2 The consignor is deemed to be at fault if he fails to inform the carrier of any especially valuable freight goods. 3 Agreements stipulating an interest in excess of the full value of the goods or an amount of compensation lower than their full value are reserved. |
Art. 448
b. Delay, damage, partial destruction 1 Subject to the same conditions and reservations as apply to the loss or destruction of goods, the carrier is liable for any damage resulting from late delivery, damage in transit or the partial destruction of the goods. 2 Unless specifically agreed otherwise, the damages claimed may not exceed those for total loss. |
Art. 449
c. Liability for sub-contractors The carrier is liable for all accidents and errors occurring during the carriage of goods, regardless of whether he transports them to the final destination or sub-contracts the task to another carrier, subject to right of recourse against the sub-contractor to whom goods are entrusted. |
Art. 452
5. Forfeiture of liability claims 1 Unconditional acceptance of the goods and payment of the freight charge extinguish all claims against the carrier, except in cases of deliberate deceit or gross negligence. 2 Furthermore, the carrier remains liable for damage that is not externally apparent where such damage is discovered within the time in which, in the circumstances, the consignee was able or might reasonably be expected to inspect the goods, provided he notifies the carrier immediately on discovering such damage. 3 However, such notification must be given no later than eight days after delivery. |
Art. 453
6. Procedure 1 In any dispute, the competent authority at the place where the goods are located may, at the request of either party, order that the goods be deposited with a third party or, where necessary, sold after their condition has been established. 2 The sale may be forestalled by satisfying all claims allegedly attaching to the goods or by depositing the amount of such claims with the court. |
Art. 454
7. Prescription of actions for damages 1 Actions for damages against the carrier prescribe one year after the scheduled delivery date in the case of destruction, loss or delay and one year after the date on which the goods were delivered to the consignee in the case of damage. 2 The consignee and the consignor may always assert their claims against the carrier by way of defence, provided that objections are lodged within one year and that the claim is not extinguished by acceptance of the goods. 3The above does not apply to cases of malice or gross negligence on the part of the carrier. |
Art. 455
C. State-owned and licensed carriers 1 Carriers operating under state licence are not empowered to exclude or restrict in advance the application of the provisions governing the carrier’s liability to their own benefit by means of special agreement or regulations governing their operations. 2 However, the parties may derogate contractually from said provisions to the extent permitted by this Title. 3 The special provisions governing contracts for the carriage of goods by providers of postal services, the railways and steamers are unaffected.268 268 Amended by Annex No II 2 of the Postal Services Act of 17 Dec. 2010, in force since 1 Oct. 2012 (AS 2012 4993; BBl 2009 5181). |
Art. 456
D. Use of state transport facilities 1 Any carrier or forwarding agent who uses a state transport facility to perform carriage obligations he has assumed or who assists in the carriage of goods by such a facility is subject to the special provisions governing freight transport that apply to that facility. 2 However, any agreement to the contrary between the carrier or forwarding agent and the principal is unaffected. 3 This article does not apply to road hauliers. |
Art. 457
E. Liability of the forwarding agent A forwarding agent who uses a state transport facility in order to perform obligations under a contract of carriage may not deny liability on grounds of insufficient right of recourse where right of recourse was forfeited through his own fault. |