Swiss Lawyers Face Time‑Crunch in White‑Collar Cases
Swiss Prosecutors Call Out Old Rules That Let Criminals Stall Trials
Switzerland’s top prosecutors argue that outdated procedures allow criminals to delay trials for years, undermining the country’s fight against financial crime.
Sealed Evidence
The Attorney General notes that evidence can be sealed for long periods, leading courts to take up to fifteen years before reaching a verdict.- Recent Cases
- Credit Suisse – In 2023, charges against a former compliance officer were dropped because the money‑laundering case was deemed too old.
Gulnara Karimova – A month later, her trial was halted due to the statute of limitations expiring.
Prosecutorial Wins
Since 2022, the chief prosecutor has secured convictions against traders and banks, but he reports that 90 % of sealed‑evidence cases result in a win only after a lengthy wait.
Call for Reform
The prosecutor demands faster access to digital data and faster evidence seizure. He sees the current delay as unacceptable.Government Response
The Swiss government is exploring closer ties with the European Union to expedite evidence collection. However, lawmakers fear new rules could erode Switzerland’s competitive edge in global wealth management and have weakened proposals that would bolster anti‑corruption tools.- International Cooperation
- Joined a three‑country taskforce with Britain and France.
Continues close collaboration with the United States.
Looking Ahead
The Attorney General warns of more cases on the horizon, though he cannot predict their duration.
