Lugano Convention 2007

The Convention on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Lugano Convention; SR 0.275.12) was concluded in Lugano on 30 October 2007. The signatories are the Swiss Confederation, the European Community, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Iceland. It is the successor to the Lugano Convention on jurisdiction and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters of 16 September 1988 (SR 0.275.11), which is why it is often referred to as the revised Lugano Convention. At the same time, it also serves as a parallel agreement to Council Regulation (EC) 44/2001 of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I-regulation).

While the Lugano Convention 2007 entered into force for the European Union, Denmark and Norway on 1 January 2010, it has only applied for Switzerland since 1 January 2011. For Iceland it entered into force on 1 May 2011.

The official explanatory report on the Lugano Convention 2007 was produced by Prof. Fausto Pocar.

Under Art. 3 para. 3 of Protocol 2 to the Lugano Convention 2007, the Court of Justice of the European Communities remains responsible for the exchange of information on decisions taken in application of both Lugano Conventions of 1988 and 2007 (as well as the legal instruments named in Art. 64) until further notice.

Article 4 of Protocol 2 to the Lugano Convention 2007, foresees the setting up of a Standing Committee; this can, under Art. 5 of Protocol 2 to the Lugano Convention 2007, convene a meeting of experts whenever necessary.