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Oscar Amstad acts as executor of the estate of a testator residing in Geneva with several properties in German- and French-speaking Switzerland and assets in Switzerland and abroad. In addition to implementing the testator's wishes in connection with the preparation and execution of the distribution of the estate and the payment of legacies, the advice also includes the transfer of the properties to the surviving spouse and correspondence with various probate authorities. In addition, RUOSS VÖGELE advises the heirs on the offsetting of advance inheritance payments received in the upcoming second estate of the testator's spouse and on the settlement of debts among the heirs. Practice area: inheritance law

We are looking for an attorney (80-100%) in the areas of corporate, M&A, and contract law.

Intermediaries and product suppliers may encounter conflicts of interest in the course of their business activities arising from contractual safeguarding of interests or statutory protection of interests. Supervision laws regularly contain rules on how to deal with conflicts of interest. In this context, intermediaries and product suppliers must avoid conflicts of interest at the expense of policyholders or customers as far as possible.

Intermediaries and product suppliers may encounter conflicts of interest in the course of their business activities arising from contractual safeguarding of interests or statutory protection of interests. Supervision laws regularly contain rules on how to deal with conflicts of interest. In this context, intermediaries and product suppliers must avoid conflicts of interest at the expense of policyholders or customers as far as possible.

RUOSS VÖGELE advises a Swiss business aviation company on the purchase of a Pilatus PC-24 from a foreign company. The engagement included drafting the aircraft purchase agreement and supporting the entire transaction until the aircraft was imported into Switzerland, including a lien release held by a major international bank and registered in the Aruba Title Register before the aircraft could be deregistered in Aruba and registered free of encumbrances in the Swiss Aircraft Register. Practice area: aircraft transactions

In the private insurance business, rate and premium increases are only permitted to a limited extent for reasons of policyholder protection. Insurance companies must comply with supervisory and private law requirements when increasing rates and premiums.

RUOSS VÖGELE is advising the buyer of a new private aircraft from the US manufacturer Textron Aviation Inc. The firm's services include negotiating the purchase agreement and management agreements, supporting the closing of the transaction, setting up a holding structure and registering the aircraft. Practice area: aircraft transactions

Prof. Dr. Damian A. Fischer will also this year be conference chair, speaker and moderator of the specialist conference «Conflicts of Interest: Law & Best Practice – Distribution of Financial and Insurance Products» on September 30, 2025, as part of the renowned seminar series organized by the Europa Institute at the University of Zurich. The conference will feature various presentations and a panel discussion highlighting and discussing current issues in dealing with conflicts of interest in the distribution of financial and insurance products.

RUOSS VÖGELE advises a Swiss technology company on the sale of a majority stake in an innovative cleantech business unit to a listed company. The advice covers both the sale and the establishment of a joint venture with the buyer in relation to the minority stake remaining with the technology company. Practice area: M&A

RUOSS VÖGELE assisted a communications agency in transitioning its legal structure. This involved a capital increase, a split of the shareholdings, and a subsequent conversion. As part of the project, the articles of association were adapted to current technical possibilities, a suitable shareholder agreement was drawn up, and appropriate organizational regulations were formulated. The agency's strategic restructuring has resulted in more streamlined structures, positioning it for long-term success.

RUOSS VÖGELE provides comprehensive advice to a client on estate planning. The advice covers the transfer of assets, the allocation of legacies and the preparation of legally valid inheritance documents. Practice area: estate planning and company succession

RUOSS VÖGELE provided comprehensive legal support to a successful entrepreneur in the acquisition of an exclusive villa with grounds on Zurich's Gold Coast. Our work included conducting due diligence on the property, drafting and negotiating the purchase agreement, ensuring the transfer of ownership in the land register, and advising on financing issues. Our lawyers, experienced in real estate law, were involved from the start. They efficiently executed the complex transaction, allowing the buyer to take possession of his new home without any worries.

RUOSS VÖGELE advises a bank on the financing of a business jet manufactured by the US manufacturer Textron Aviation Inc. The mandate includes drafting the financing agreement and the related security agreements as well as providing legal advice in connection with the registration of the business jet and the registration of an aircraft mortgage. Practice area: aircraft transactions

Pascale Gola, partner of RUOSS VÖGELE, was newly elected by the Swiss Sports Tribunal as an arbitrator. The Swiss Sports Tribunal was established by Swiss Olympic on 1 July 2024 and serves as the successor of the former Disciplinary Chamber. It is competent for the decision of disputes and the sanctioning in connection with doping and ethic violations in the field of Swiss sports.

The University of Zurich promoted PD Dr. Damian A. Fischer to Adjunct Professor for Private and Business Law. We warmly congratulate him on this outstanding academic achievement and are extremely delighted that in our law firm, law is not only applied, but also scientifically accompanied and thus co-designed. Prof. Dr. Damian A. Fischer advises on private and business law and also regularly renders expert opinions on Swiss law in national and international court proceedings.

RUOSS VÖGELE is advising the buyer of a new yacht which is being manufactured by the British manufacturer Princess Yachts Ltd. The advice includes negotiating the purchase agreement, supporting the closing of the transaction, setting up a holding structure and registering the yacht. Practice area: yacht transactions

RUOSS VÖGELE again receives excellent ratings from clients and lawyers in the current law firm ranking 2025 of the renowned business magazines BILANZ and PME. We are recognized as a leading Swiss law firm in the aviation industry and recommended in 14 areas of law. We have been awarded the highest rating of 5 stars in the following areas of law: Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Contract Law, Corporate Law, Media Law, Insurance Law, Private Equity and Venture Capital. We have been recognized with 4 stars in the following areas of law: Estate and Inheritance Law, Real Estate Law, Employment Law (employer-side), M&A, Tenancy Law, Compliance, Banking and Capital Markets Law, Restructuring and Insolvency Law. We are delighted to receive this award. We sincerely thank everyone who places their trust in us and will continue to support you with professional commitment.

FINMA may only reject applications for supplementary health insurance tariffs in the event of abuse. It is sometimes unclear when abuse exists. The Federal Supreme Court dealt with the issue in 2010 and 2019 and is currently assessing again a case of rejected tariffs due to abuse. This article deals with some fundamental considerations on abuse in supplementary health insurance.

RUOSS VÖGELE succeeds in defending client in a litigious court case in connection with a big IT-automatization project by means of settlement agreement in court. In this highly complex court case, which had lasted several years due to various intermediary steps and appeal proceedings. Counterparty had made claims of high indemnities which could be settled substantially below the claim.

RUOSS VÖGELE provides expert guidance to several engineering firms, assisting them in achieving legal and economic independence. Our team facilitates the seamless execution of spin-off activities, ensuring that our clients are well-positioned to pursue new opportunities. We support the engineering firms in streamlining their structures and in creating appealing participation prospects for employees. Our collaboration with external tax experts ensures comprehensive tax law compliance.

RUOSS VÖGELE is advising one of three sisters in an inheritance matter. The client's parents transferred the family's assets to their daughters, but reserved the right of usufruct. The aim of the consultation was to secure the parents' customary lifetime support in return for the release of their right of usufruct, and at the same time to find a fair settlement between the sisters. As a result of the negotiations, the parents' right of usufruct was terminated and the assets thus freed up were allocated to each of the sisters. This not only avoided a long and costly dispute, but also restored peace within the family.

RUOSS VÖGELE is advising the buyer of a new PC-24 private aircraft, which is being manufactured by Swiss company Pilatus. The advice includes negotiating the purchase agreement, supporting the closing of the transaction, setting up a holding structure and registering the aircraft. Practice area: aircraft transactions

RUOSS VÖGELE successfully represented a community of heirs in attachment proceedings against a debtor residing abroad and whose bank accounts had been frozen in Switzerland. The purpose of the attachment in this case was to secure claims of the heirs based on a divorce decree and claims for reduction in connection with the donation of the proceeds from the sale of a property.

The Swiss Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO; SR 272) was partially revised with the amendment of 17 March 2023, which will enter into force on 1 January 2025. This LegalUpdate discusses the most important changes, provides practical advice, and highlights the effects on pending civil proceedings.

RUOSS VÖGELE is representing a bidder in the auction sale of a prestigious commercial property in the centre of Zurich. This includes carrying out due diligence, negotiating contracts, and managing the process in close coordination with appraisers, architects, tax experts, and real estate experts. Practice area: real estate transactions

RUOSS VÖGELE is advising an innovative Swiss technology company on the restructuring of a business unit. The restructuring will enable this innovative business unit to develop independently, to open up to investors from the industry and to expand its product range. In this cross-border transaction, RUOSS VÖGELE works closely with lawyers from several countries in Europe and Asia and plays a central role in the coordination and implementation. Practice area: corporate law, M&A

PD Dr Damian A. Fischer will also this year be conference chair, speaker and moderator of the specialist conference «Conflicts of Interest: Law & Best Practice - Current Legal Issues relating to the Board of Directors and the Executive Board» on 1 October 2024 in the renowned seminar series of the Europa Institute of the University of Zurich. At the conference, current legal issues relating to the dealing with conflicts of interest situations in management bodies will be examined and discussed in various presentations and a panel discussion.

RUOSS VÖGELE represents a former board member in a claim for damages for alleged breach of fiduciary duty in court. The court dismissed the action inter alia in its entirety on the grounds of lack of unlawfulness (no evidence of unlawful trade secret infringement) and lack of causality and ordered the counterparty to pay the court costs and a party cost compensation. The judgement is final.

RUOSS VÖGELE represents a leading Swiss media company in court proceedings against an internationally active non-governmental organization for infringement of trademark and copyright law and unfair competition law, in connection with the imitation of the logo and layout of a well-known media brand and the unauthorized use of its distribution network. The filing of the lawsuit serves as the basis for a comprehensive amicable settlement between the parties.

RUOSS VÖGELE provides comprehensive advice to an entrepreneur on estate planning. The advice covers the transfer of assets, family-internal business succession, and the preparation of legally valid documents under inheritance law. Practice area: estate planning and family business succession