The Swiss Federal Supreme Court: A Constitutional Assessment of Control and Management Mechanisms

Abstract

Even the highest courts are under pressure to perform effectively and efficiently. In some instances, the pressure comes from supervisory and elected authorities, such as parliaments, which demand information regarding judicial output. In Switzerland a decision has been made by the Parliament to apply “steering instruments”, which were introduced as part of general administrative reforms. These procedures also include mechanisms for “controlling” 2 judicial activity. In this article, we examine reforms relating to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, and the compatibility of those reforms with separation of powers principles.