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- Art. 5a FC
- Art. 6 FC
- Art. 10 FC
- Art. 16 FC
- Art. 17 FC
- Art. 20 FC
- Art. 22 FC
- Art. 29a FC
- Art. 30 FC
- Art. 32 FC
- Art. 42 FC
- Art. 43 FC
- Art. 43a FC
- Art. 55 FC
- Art. 56 FC
- Art. 60 FC
- Art. 68 FC
- Art. 75b FC
- Art. 77 FC
- Art. 96 para. 2 lit. a FC
- Art. 110 FC
- Art. 117a FC
- Art. 118 FC
- Art. 123b FC
- Art. 136 FC
- Art. 166 FC
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- Art. 11 CO
- Art. 12 CO
- Art. 50 CO
- Art. 51 CO
- Art. 84 CO
- Art. 143 CO
- Art. 144 CO
- Art. 145 CO
- Art. 146 CO
- Art. 147 CO
- Art. 148 CO
- Art. 149 CO
- Art. 150 CO
- Art. 701 CO
- Art. 715 CO
- Art. 715a CO
- Art. 734f CO
- Art. 785 CO
- Art. 786 CO
- Art. 787 CO
- Art. 788 CO
- Transitional provisions to the revision of the Stock Corporation Act of June 19, 2020
- Art. 808c CO
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- Art. 2 PRA
- Art. 3 PRA
- Art. 4 PRA
- Art. 6 PRA
- Art. 10 PRA
- Art. 10a PRA
- Art. 11 PRA
- Art. 12 PRA
- Art. 13 PRA
- Art. 14 PRA
- Art. 15 PRA
- Art. 16 PRA
- Art. 17 PRA
- Art. 19 PRA
- Art. 20 PRA
- Art. 21 PRA
- Art. 22 PRA
- Art. 23 PRA
- Art. 24 PRA
- Art. 25 PRA
- Art. 26 PRA
- Art. 27 PRA
- Art. 29 PRA
- Art. 30 PRA
- Art. 31 PRA
- Art. 32 PRA
- Art. 32a PRA
- Art. 33 PRA
- Art. 34 PRA
- Art. 35 PRA
- Art. 36 PRA
- Art. 37 PRA
- Art. 38 PRA
- Art. 39 PRA
- Art. 40 PRA
- Art. 41 PRA
- Art. 42 PRA
- Art. 43 PRA
- Art. 44 PRA
- Art. 45 PRA
- Art. 46 PRA
- Art. 47 PRA
- Art. 48 PRA
- Art. 49 PRA
- Art. 50 PRA
- Art. 51 PRA
- Art. 52 PRA
- Art. 53 PRA
- Art. 54 PRA
- Art. 55 PRA
- Art. 56 PRA
- Art. 57 PRA
- Art. 58 PRA
- Art. 59a PRA
- Art. 59b PRA
- Art. 59c PRA
- Art. 62 PRA
- Art. 63 PRA
- Art. 67 PRA
- Art. 67a PRA
- Art. 67b PRA
- Art. 75 PRA
- Art. 75a PRA
- Art. 76 PRA
- Art. 76a PRA
- Art. 90 PRA
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- Vorb. zu Art. 1 FADP
- Art. 1 FADP
- Art. 2 FADP
- Art. 3 FADP
- Art. 5 lit. f und g FADP
- Art. 6 Abs. 6 and 7 FADP
- Art. 7 FADP
- Art. 10 FADP
- Art. 11 FADP
- Art. 12 FADP
- Art. 14 FADP
- Art. 15 FADP
- Art. 19 FADP
- Art. 20 FADP
- Art. 22 FADP
- Art. 23 FADP
- Art. 25 FADP
- Art. 26 FADP
- Art. 27 FADP
- Art. 31 para. 2 lit. e FADP
- Art. 33 FADP
- Art. 34 FADP
- Art. 35 FADP
- Art. 38 FADP
- Art. 39 FADP
- Art. 40 FADP
- Art. 41 FADP
- Art. 42 FADP
- Art. 43 FADP
- Art. 44 FADP
- Art. 44a FADP
- Art. 45 FADP
- Art. 46 FADP
- Art. 47 FADP
- Art. 47a FADP
- Art. 48 FADP
- Art. 49 FADP
- Art. 50 FADP
- Art. 51 FADP
- Art. 54 FADP
- Art. 57 FADP
- Art. 58 FADP
- Art. 60 FADP
- Art. 61 FADP
- Art. 62 FADP
- Art. 63 FADP
- Art. 64 FADP
- Art. 65 FADP
- Art. 66 FADP
- Art. 67 FADP
- Art. 69 FADP
- Art. 72 FADP
- Art. 72a FADP
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- Art. 2 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 3 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 4 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 5 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 6 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 7 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 8 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 9 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 11 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 12 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 25 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 29 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 32 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 33 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
- Art. 34 CCC (Convention on Cybercrime)
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
CODE OF OBLIGATIONS
FEDERAL LAW ON PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
LUGANO CONVENTION
CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
FEDERAL ACT ON POLITICAL RIGHTS
CIVIL CODE
FEDERAL ACT ON CARTELS AND OTHER RESTRAINTS OF COMPETITION
FEDERAL ACT ON INTERNATIONAL MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS
DEBT ENFORCEMENT AND BANKRUPTCY ACT
FEDERAL ACT ON DATA PROTECTION
SWISS CRIMINAL CODE
CYBERCRIME CONVENTION
- I. General remarks
- II. The joint and several liability according to para 1
- III. Recourse between the joint and several debtors according to para. 2
- IV. Liability of the abettor according to para. 3
- Bibliography
I. General remarks
A. Concept of joint and several liability
1 If several tortfeasors have jointly caused damage, they are jointly and severally liable to the injured party (Art. 50 para. 1 CO). This means that each tortfeasor is liable for the entire debt (Art. 143 para. 1 CO). Consequently, the injured party may recover all damages from a single tortfeasor. The injured party may also sue more than one tortfeasor or sue any or all tortfeasors for only part of the damages (Art. 144 para. 1 CO). However, their claim may only be satisfied once.
2 If a tortfeasor is held liable by the injured party for an amount that exceeds their responsibility, then they may make a claim against the other tortfeasors for the amount overpaid in the external relationship (Art. 50 para. 2 in conjunction with Art. 148 para. 2 CO). The relationship between the tortfeasors is called the internal relationship.
B. Perfect and imperfect joint and several liability
3 The Federal Supreme Court distinguishes between so-called perfect and imperfect joint and several liability.
4 The practical significance of the Federal Supreme Court's distinction can be seen in three cases: (1) in cases of imperfect joint and several liability in which the actions of a plaintiff that interrupt the prescriptive period against a tortfeasor according to Art. 136 para. 1 CO do not have an effect against the other tortfeasors;
5 Among legal scholars, the distinction meets with criticism.
II. The joint and several liability according to para 1
A. Requirements
1. Joint causation of damage
6 The joint and several liability of Art. 50 para. 1 CO requires the cooperation of several tortfeasors resulting in damage and the participation of each individual must be determined to be legally causational for the damage.
7 Damage within the meaning of Art. 50 CO primarily includes tortious damage, i.e. damage that arises from the violation of a legally protected right or of a provision of conduct that protects one’s assets.
8 Joint causation can, on the one hand, be achieved by a joint act of the parties involved. On the other hand, acts done separately but with a common purpose can also lead to joint and several liability. Thus, it does not benefit a group of tortfeasors if they divide their acts (in time or place) but pursue a common goal or cause uniform damage.
9 Art. 50 para. 1 CO also includes legally «joint» actions. The culpable conduct of a governing body of a legal person obliges both the governing officer (Art. 55 para. 3 CC) and the legal person (Art. 55 para. 2 CC), giving rise to joint and several liability.
10 It remains to be noted that the failure to act in breach of duty can also cause damages and thus contribute to joint causation.
2. Joint fault
11 Joint and several liability under Art. 50 para. 1 CO requires joint fault on the part of the tortfeasors.
12 If the tortfeasors act independently of each other and are not aware of their cooperation, there is no joint fault. Therefore, perfect joint and several liability does not apply. Instead, there is a competition of claims, which is handled according to Art. 51 CO.
3. Types of tortfeasors
13 Art. 50 para. 1 CO lists the instigator, the perpetrator, and the accomplice as types of tortfeasors and also clarifies that these categories are irrelevant in the external relationship.
14 In addition to the three types mentioned in Art. 50 para. 1 CO, the abettor is also liable. The legal consequence is determined by para. 3.
B. Joint and several liability as legal consequence
15 If the requirements of Art. 50 para. 1 CO are fulfilled, the tortfeasors are jointly and severally liable vis-à-vis the injured party in the external relationship. Each of them can be held individually liable for the entire damage (Art. 144 para. 1 CO) without being able to object that they only partially contributed to it.
16 According to the case law of the Federal Supreme Court, in the external relationship, no individual grounds for reduction, such as minor fault according to Art. 43 para. 1 CO, can be invoked,
III. Recourse between the joint and several debtors according to para. 2
A. Recourse and subrogation
17 If a claim is made against a joint and several debtor by the injured party, the question arises as to whether and to what extent they can take recourse against the other joint and several debtors.
18 In addition to the original right of recourse under Art. 50 para. 2 in conjunction with Art. 148 para. 2 CO, the joint and several debtor also has the right of subrogation under Art. 149 CO.
B. Extent of the recourse
19 Whether and to what extent the jointly and severally liable tortfeasor can take recourse against his co-tortfeasors in the internal relationship is at the discretion of the court (Art. 50 para. 2 CO). The court first takes into account the severity of the fault of each party, whereby a perpetrator or instigator must usually bear a greater share than an accomplice.
20 The constellation of several joint tortfeasors according to Art. 50 paras. 1 and 2 CO is a legal exception to Art. 148 para. 1 CO which requires a deviation from the distribution according to heads.
C. Prescription of the right of recourse
21 The relative prescription period of the right of recourse according to Art. 50 para. 2 CO is regulated in Art. 139 CO.
22 If the debtor from whom the creditor recovers relies on subrogation under Art. 149 para. 1 CO, both the claim, including accessory rights, and the prescription period, which has already begun, passes to them. The starting date and duration of the period are determined by the main claim that has been transferred.
IV. Liability of the abettor according to para. 3
23 The term «abettor» used in the English translation of the Code of Obligations first needs to be clarified. It does not mean someone who helps or encourages the tortfeasor in causing the damage.
24 The liability of the abettor requires fault, even if the law does not explicitly mention it. In contrast to the criminal offence of handling stolen goods under Art. 160 Criminal Code that requires intention, negligence is sufficient.
25 Art. 50 para. 3 CO distinguishes between two variants. On the one hand, the abettor is liable insofar as they have received a share in the gains or otherwise benefit by saving expenses. This is the case, for example, if the abettor receives a share in the stolen goods in return for hiding them or riding in a stolen car.
26 The legal consequence of Art. 50 para. 3 CO is the joint and several liability of the abettor together with the tortfeasors according to para. 1. However, the extent of the joint and several liability is limited from the point of view of the abettor. It only extends as far as they are liable according to para. 3 and not necessarily to all damages.
Bibliography
Brehm Roland, Berner Kommentar, Obligationenrecht, Allgemeine Bestimmungen, Die Entstehung durch unerlaubte Handlung, Art. 41–61 OR, 5th ed., Bern 2021.
Bucher Eugen, Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht, Allgemeiner Teil ohne Deliktsrecht, 2nd ed., Zurich 1988.
Casanova Gion Christian, Ausgleichsanspruch und Ausgleichsordnung, Zurich et al. 2010.
Däppen Robert K., commentary on Art. 139 CO, in: Widmer Lüchinger Corinne/Oser David (eds.), Basler Kommentar, Obligationenrecht I, 7th ed., Basel 2020.
Deschenaux Henri/Tercier Pierre, La responsabilité civile, 2nd ed., Bern 1982.
Fellmann Walter/Kottmann Andrea, Schweizerisches Haftpflichtrecht, Band I: Allgemeiner Teil sowie Haftung aus Verschulden und Persönlichkeitsverletzung, gewöhnliche Kausalhaftungen des OR, ZGB und PrHG, Bern 2012.
Fischer Willi/Böhme Anna/Gähwiler Fabian, commentary on Art. 50 CO, in: Kren Kostkiewicz Jolanta/Amstutz Marc/Wolf Stephan/Fankhauser Roland (eds.), OR Kommentar, 4th ed., Zurich 2022.
Gautschi Alain, Solidarschuld und Ausgleich, Zurich et al. 2009.
Graber Christoph K., commentary on Art. 50 CO and on Art. 51 CO, in: Widmer Lüchinger Corinne/Oser David (eds.), Basler Kommentar, Obligationenrecht I, 7th ed., Basel 2020.
Heierli Christian, Geldwäscher als «Begünstiger» (Art. 50 Abs. 3 OR), in: Grolimund Pascal/Koller Alfred/Loacker Leander D./Portmann Wolfgang (eds.), Festschrift für Anton K. Schnyder, Zurich et al. 2018, p. 565–588.
Mazan Stephan, commentary on Art. 50 CO, in: Furrer Andreas/Schnyder Anton K. (eds.), Handkommentar zum Schweizer Privatrecht, Obligationenrecht, Allgemeine Bestimmungen, 3rd ed., Zurich et al. 2016.
Oftinger Karl/Stark Emil W., Schweizerisches Haftpflichtrecht, Allgemeiner Teil, Band I, Zurich 1995.
Perritaz Vincent, Le concours d’actions et la solidarité, Zurich et al. 2017.
Pichonnaz Pascal, commentary on Art. 139 CO, in: Thévenoz Luc/Werro Franz (eds.), Commentaire romand, Code des obligations I, 3rd ed., Basel 2021.
Rey Heinz/Wildhaber Isabelle, Ausservertragliches Haftpflichtrecht, 5th ed., Zurich et al. 2018.
Schönenberger Beat, commentary on Art. 50/51 CO, in: Honsell Heinrich (ed.), Kurzkommentar Obligationenrecht, Basel 2014.
Schwander Ivo, commentary on Art. 139 CO, in: Kren Kostkiewicz Jolanta/Amstutz Marc/Wolf Stephan/Fankhauser Roland (eds.), OR Kommentar, 4th ed., Zurich 2022.
Schwenzer Ingeborg/Fountoulakis Christiana, Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht Allgemeiner Teil, 8th ed., Bern 2020.
Werro Franz/Perritaz Vincent, commentary on Introduction to Art. 50–51 CO, on Art. 50 CO and on Art. 51 CO, in: Thévenoz Luc/Werro Franz (eds.), Commentaire romand, Code des obligations I, 3rd ed., Basel 2021.
Wildhaber Isabelle/Dede Sevda, Berner Kommentar, Obligationenrecht, Allgemeine Bestimmungen, Die Verjährung, Art. 127–142 OR, Bern 2021.