Wissenschaftliche Beiträge

Arbitration

Overview of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court’s Case Law in International and Domestic Arbitration (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024)

Fabrice Robert-Tissot

Sumin Jo

Patrick Pithon

Léa Steudler

Proposition de citation: Fabrice Robert-Tissot / Sumin Jo / Patrick Pithon / Léa Steudler, Arbitration, in : Jusletter 1 septembre 2025

This contribution summarises the case law of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court («SFSC») and the European Court of Human Rights («ECtHR») in international and domestic arbitration issued between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2024. The first part highlights the most significant decisions, with the factual background, the analysis of the SFSC, and a brief commentary. The second part provides a general overview of SFSC case law in international and domestic arbitration, structured according to the grounds listed in Articles 190(2) of the Federal Act on Private International Law («PILA») and 393 of the Swiss Civil Procedure Code («CPC»).

Table des matières

Part I: Most Important Decisions of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court on International Arbitration – Summary and Commentary
I. International Arbitration
- A. Investment Arbitration
  - 1. ATF 149 III 277 – Republic of India v. Deutsche Telekom AG
  - 2. ATF 150 III 89 – AsiaPhos and Norwest v. China
  - 3. ATF 150 III 280
- B. Sports Arbitration
  - 1. Case 10934/21, Semenya v. Switzerland, Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber), 11 July 2023
  - 2. Decision 4A_420/2022 of 30 March 2023 – Cardiff City FC v. FC Nantes
  - 3. Decision 4A_100/2023 of 22 June 2023 – GNK Dinamo Zagreb v. Rene Poms & FIFA
  - 4. Decision 4A_136/2024 of 5 September 2024 – Valieva case
- C. Commercial Arbitration
  - 1. ATF 149 III 338
  - 2. ATF 151 III 62
  - 3. ATF 149 III 431
  - 4. ATF 150 III 238
  - 5. ATF 150 III 423
  - 6. ATF 150 III 147
II. Domestic Arbitration
- A. Decision 4A_472/2024 of 10 October 2024
- B. Decision 4A_16/2023 of 8 November 2023
Part II: Overview of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court’s Case Law in International and Domestic Arbitration
I. International Arbitration
- A. Admissibility of Appeals in Civil Matters
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_170/2023 of 28 June 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_184/2023 of 5 June 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_446/2022 of 15 May 2023
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_264/2023 of 9 June 2023
  - 5. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_580/2022 of 26 April 2023
  - 6. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_104/2024 of 31 July 2024
  - 7. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_258/2023 of 19 June 2023
- B. Improper Appointment of the Sole Arbitrator and/or Improper Composition of the Arbitral Tribunal (Article 190(2)(a) PILA)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_580/2022 of 26 April 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_484/2022 of 26 April 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_15/2023 of 14 November 2023
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_268/2024 of 11 October 2024
- C. Jurisdiction (Article 190(2)(b) PILA)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_148/2023 of 4 September 2023 (not reported in the ATF 150 III 147)
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_66/2024 of 13 June 2024
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_148/2023 of 4 September 2023 (not reported in ATF 150 III 147)
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_152/2023 of 5 June 2023
  - 5. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_294/2022 of 3 January 2023
  - 6. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_22/2023 of 16 May 2023
  - 7. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_144/2023 of 4 September 2023
  - 8. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_146/2023 of 4 September 2023
  - 9. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_2/2023 of 6 October 2023
- D. Ultra and Infra Petita Award (Article 190 (2)(c) PILA)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_575/2023 of 18 April 2024
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_552/2023 of 18 March 2024
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_256/2023 of 6 November 2023
- E. Equality of the Parties and Right to Be Heard (Article 190(2)(d) PILA)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_108/2023 of 24 July 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_446/2022 of 15 May 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_170/2023 of 28 June 2023
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_486/2022 of 26 April 2023
  - 5. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_146/2023 of 4 September 2023
  - 6. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_112/2024 of 3 July 2024
  - 7. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_152/2024 of 23 October 2024
  - 8. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_575/2023 of 18 April 2024
  - 9. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_600/2023 of 2 September 2024
- F. Public Policy (Article 190(2)(e) PILA)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_104/2024 of 31 July 2024
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_256/2023 of 6 November 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_184/2023 of 5 June 2023
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_486/2022 of 26 April 2023
  - 5. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_254/2023 of 12 June 2023
  - 6. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_176/2023 of 24 July 2023
  - 7. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_528/2022 of 14 March 2023
  - 8. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_170/2023 of 28 June 2023
  - 9. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_22/2023 of 16 May 2023
  - 10. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_494/2023 of 13 November 2023
  - 11. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_15/2023 of 14 November 2023
  - 12. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_575/2023 of 18 April 2024
  - 13. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_396/2024 of 18 November 2024
  - 14. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_564/2023 of 26 January 2024
- G. Revision
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_13/2023 of 11 September 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_406/2024 of 30 September 2024
II. Domestic Arbitration
- A. Admissibility of the Appeal in Civil Matters
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_63/2023 of 23 May 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 5A_425/2022 of 23 January 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_269/2023 of 5 July 2023
  - 4. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_546/2022 of 9 January 2023
  - 5. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_180/2023 of 24 July 2023
- B. Improper Appointment of the Sole Arbitrator and Improper Composition of the Arbitral Tribunal (Article 393(a) CPC)
- C. Jurisdiction (Article 393(b) CPC)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_349/2023 of 13 December 2023
- D. Ultra and Infra Petita Award (Article 393(c) CPC)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_597/2024 of 15 June 2024
- E. Equality of the Parties and Right to Be Heard (Article 393(d) CPC)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_63/2023 of 23 May 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 5A_303/2023 of 4 July 2023
  - 3. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_349/2023 of 13 December 2023
- F. Arbitrariness (Article 393(e) CPC)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_533/2022 of 30 March 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 5A_303/2023 of 4 July 2023
- G. Excessive Expenses and Arbitrators’ Fees (Article 393(f) CPC)
  - 1. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 5A_425/2022 of 23 January 2023
  - 2. Decision of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court 4A_63/2023 of 23 May 2023