CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd updates
Cooperation with foreign judicial authorities – Article 271 of Criminal Code remains serious obstacle
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 29 April 2019
The Federal Supreme Court recently ruled that a Swiss-based asset management company's disclosure of client information to US authorities with a view to facilitating the conclusion of a non-prosecution agreement violated Article 271 of the Criminal Code. The decision reiterates that the court does not look favourably on persons who take matters into their own hands and bypass the competent Swiss authorities in furtherance of foreign state interests.
New draft bill on private sector whistleblowing
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 17 December 2018
The inadequacy of whistleblower protection in Switzerland has been widely criticised for years. Despite the legislation on public sector whistleblowing which was introduced in 2011, there is no concise legal framework specifically addressing respective issues in the private sector. To fill the gap, the Federal Counsel recently proposed a leaner and more understandable piece of legislation, which will be introduced into the section governing employment contracts in the Code of Obligations.
Federal Tribunal upholds conviction of asset manager for not disclosing retrocessions
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 08 October 2018
The Federal Tribunal recently confirmed an asset manager's conviction of criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code for failing to disclose retrocessions received from a custodian bank. This is the first time that the tribunal has ruled on the controversial issue of whether the failure of an asset manager to render accounts on retrocessions and similar rewards paid by third parties in connection with the asset manager's performance of their mandate would qualify as criminal mismanagement.
Amendments to Anti-money Laundering Act – consultation process initiated
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 27 August 2018
The Federal Council recently initiated the consultation on a number of amendments to the Anti-money Laundering Act. The consultation draft marks the third bundle of legislative measures to comprehensively implement the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force in its latest mutual evaluation report on Switzerland. However, the proposed extension of the act's scope to include advisers marks a significant and highly problematic step.
Proposed implementation of FATF and Global Forum transparency recommendations meets stiff opposition
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 11 June 2018
In one comprehensive bill, the Federal Council addressed the concerns of the Financial Action Task Force and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes with regard to the transparency of legal entities. The proposed measures would not only replace a system that was introduced merely three years ago and has proven to be effective, but would also entail severe consequences for approximately 60,000 companies in Switzerland.
Distinction between administrative assistance in tax matters and legal assistance in criminal matters
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 26 February 2018
The Federal Supreme Court recently rendered a landmark decision preventing the Swiss Federal Tax Administration from transmitting un-redacted bank files to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which contained information on third parties which had allegedly helped a US taxpayer to defraud the IRS. What is of particular interest to white collar crime practitioners is the emphasis put on the distinction between administrative assistance in tax matters versus legal assistance in criminal matters.
Fallout of FATF mutual evaluation report on Switzerland
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 04 December 2017
In the aftermath of the fourth mutual evaluation of Switzerland's dispositive to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by the Financial Action Task Force, the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority recently published a draft amendment to its Anti-money Laundering Ordinance. The amendment will result in a significant increase of compliance work for all financial intermediaries.
No bypassing of rules guaranteeing due process in judicial assistance in criminal matters
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 03 April 2017
The Federal Criminal Court recently took the opportunity to examine methods whereby rules of Swiss domestic law in penal matters are bypassed by looking at the example of the disclosure of certain bank records to the Brazilian authorities as exhibits to a Swiss request for international judicial assistance, the procurement and transmission of which had been applied for by the Brazilian authorities in a previous request for judicial assistance.
Federal Tribunal on professional privilege in context of internal investigations
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 05 December 2016
The Federal Tribunal recently held that professional privilege did not prevent prosecutors from accessing information collected by attorneys retained by a Swiss bank to carry out an investigation of suspected contraventions of regulatory and penal laws by the bank's employees. This decision should be seen in context with another decision in which the tribunal clarified the scope of protection provided by the nemo tenetur privilege in penal investigations against corporate entities.
Federal Tribunal clarifies nemo tenetur privilege of legal entities
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 24 October 2016
The Federal Tribunal recently made some significant clarifications regarding the scope of protection provided by the nemo tenetur privilege in penal investigations against corporate entities. The tribunal confirmed that, although legal entities can rely on the privilege, it should be applied restrictively concerning information which the legal entity is obliged to obtain, keep and record, as the purpose of these obligations is typically to ensure access to information.
New criminal provisions on corruption in private sector to enter into force
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 20 June 2016
Parliament recently adopted amendments to the Penal Code introducing new provisions on corruption in the private sector. Corporate undertakings should accordingly scrutinise internal regulations and directives and internal control procedures should be reviewed to strengthen the overall resistance against corruption. Undertakings should also consider establishing an internal reporting mechanism for suspected wrongdoing.
Federal Supreme Court endorses extradition of FIFA official to United States
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 13 June 2016
The Federal Supreme Court recently rendered its first decision on the extradition of one of the FIFA officials that were spectacularly arrested in Zurich. The case concerned the extradition of Julio Rocha, former president of the Nicaraguan Football League. Rocha consented to be extradited to Nicaragua, but opposed extradition to the United States and appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
Switzerland assists EU member states in cases of evasion of indirect taxes
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 12 February 2016
A recent decision of the Federal Criminal Court has demonstrated an exception to the rule that Switzerland does not assist foreign investigations of fiscal offences. If a party domiciled in the European Union seeks to avoid tax by artificially shifting turnover to Switzerland, mutual legal assistance to prosecute fiscal offences may be granted on the basis of the Schengen rules on combating fiscal offences in the field of indirect taxation.
Selling Swiss bank customers' confidential data – Switzerland claims worldwide jurisdiction
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 16 November 2015
The Federal Tribunal has provided guidelines to resolve the controversial question of whether the sale of Swiss bank customer information to foreign tax authorities is punishable under Swiss law, even if the perpetrator acts abroad. The tribunal held that the conduct at issue qualified as economic espionage and was an offence against the state's interests. As such, it was subject to Swiss jurisdiction, regardless of where the offence was committed.
Tax fraud to become predicate offence to money laundering
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 31 August 2015
From January 1 2016 servicing tax fraudsters may expose financial intermediaries in Switzerland to prosecution for money laundering. Given that final tax declarations for 2016 will not, as a rule, be filed before the end of 2016, the general consensus is that the new anti-money laundering reporting obligations will have no practical bearing before the end of 2016.
Combating corruption in the private sector
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 29 June 2015
The Council of States recently approved a draft bill on the amendment of anti-corruption laws. The draft bill introduces changes that are widely perceived as overdue, in view of a series of scandals relating to the practices of international sports organisations headquartered in Switzerland – including the ongoing FIFA affair. In light of these scandals, there is little doubt that the National Council will endorse the Council of State's resolutions.
Criminal law provisions in draft financial acts
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 30 March 2015
Switzerland is revising the regulatory framework governing its financial infrastructure, Swiss and foreign financial service providers and the distribution of financial products in Switzerland. Many of the criminal provisions contained in the proposed legislation are already in place. However, the scope of application of the proposed acts is wider than in existing legislation.
Proposed legislation on whistleblowing – de facto ban on reporting to the public?
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 01 December 2014
Proposed legislation on whistleblowing employees in the private sector focuses on reporting irregularities to employers, the competent authorities and the public. The suggested reporting mechanism aims to establish a process which requires that an employee always inform his or her employer before notifying the authorities, and always bring a matter to the attention of the authorities before reporting to the public.
Gift and hospitality thresholds under anti-corruption legislation
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 22 September 2014
Corporate policies and procedures on combating corruption seek to define thresholds for gifts and hospitality. It is recommended that benefits of whatever kind or value in the public sector may be granted only subject to approval of senior management or a special compliance unit. Moreover, the policies of key clients in the public sector should be checked regularly for changes in order to ensure that approval is given on a case-by-case basis.
Civil settlements between offenders and victims – Federal Tribunal raises stakes
CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd- White Collar Crime
- Switzerland
- 04 August 2014
The Federal Tribunal recently held that an agreement between the offender and the victim on the settlement of financial loss incurred as a result of a criminal act would not withstand the confiscation and forfeiture of the proceeds of such an act by the penal authorities. Pursuant to civil law principles, it is impossible to acquire valid title to an asset without a valid cause.
