The Federal Authorities
of the Swiss Confederation

< Division Two: Types of Contractual Relationship
> Division Four: The Commercial Register, Business Names and Commercial Accounting

Division Three: Commercial Enterprises and the Cooperative1

Title Twenty-Four: The General Partnership

Section One: Definition and Formation

Art. 552 A. Commercial partnerships

Art. 553 B. Non-commercial partnerships

Art. 554 C. Entry in the commercial register / I. Place of registration

Art. 555 C. Entry in the commercial register / II. Representation

Art. 556 C. Entry in the commercial register / III. Formal requirements

Section Two: Relationship between Partners

Art. 557 A. Freedom of contract, reference to simple partnership

Art. 558 B. Profit and loss account

Art. 559 C. Entitlement to profit, interest and fees

Art. 560 D. Losses

Art. 561 E. Prohibition of competition

Section Three: Relationship between the Partnership and Third Parties

Art. 562 A. In general

Art. 563 B. Representation / I. General principle

Art. 564 B. Representation / II. Scope

Art. 565 B. Representation / III. Withdrawal

Art. 566 B. Representation / IV. Registered power of attorney and commercial agency

Art. 567 B. Representation / V. Transactions and liability in tort

Art. 568 C. Position of creditors / I. Partners’ liability

Art. 569 C. Position of creditors / II. Liability of new partners

Art. 570 C. Position of creditors / III. Insolvency of the partnership

Art. 571 C. Position of creditors / IV. Insolvency of the partnership and bankruptcy of the partners

Art. 572 D. Position of personal creditors of partners

Art. 573 E. Set off

Section Four: Dissolution and Withdrawal

Art. 574 A. In general

Art. 575 B. Termination by personal creditors

Art. 576 C. Withdrawal of partners / I. Agreement

Art. 577 C. Withdrawal of partners / II. Exclusion by court order

Art. 578 C. Withdrawal of partners / III. Exclusion by the other partners

Art. 579 C. Withdrawal of partners / IV. In the case of two partners

Art. 580 C. Withdrawal of partners / V. Determining the share

Art. 581 C. Withdrawal of partners / VI. Registration

Section Five: Liquidation

Art. 582 A. General principle

Art. 583 B. Liquidators

Art. 584 C. Representation of heirs

Art. 585 D. Rights and obligations of the liquidators

Art. 586 E. Provisional distribution

Art. 587 F. Division / I. Balance sheet

Art. 588 F. Division / II. Repayment of capital and distribution of surplus

Art. 589 G. Deletion from the commercial register

Art. 590 H. Archiving of ledgers and other documents

Section Six: Time Limits

Art. 591 A. Object and limitation period

Art. 592 B. Special cases

Art. 593 C. Interruption

Title Twenty-Five: The Limited Partnership

Section One: Definition and Formation

Art. 594 A. Commercial partnerships

Art. 595 B. Non-commercial partnerships

Art. 596 C. Entry in the commercial register / I. Place and contributions in kind

Art. 597 C. Entry in the commercial register / II. Formal requirements

Section Two: Relationship between Partners

Art. 598 A. Freedom of contract, reference to general partnership

Art. 599 B. Management of business

Art. 600 C. Position of limited partners

Art. 601 D. Share in profit and loss

Section Three: Relationship between the Partnership and Third Parties

Art. 602 A. In general

Art. 603 B. Representation

Art. 604 C. Liability of general partners

Art. 605 D. Liability of limited partners / I. Acting for the partnership

Art. 606 D. Liability of limited partners / II. Lack of registration

Art. 607 D. Liability of limited partners / III. Name of limited partner in business name

Art. 608 D. Liability of limited partners / IV. Scope of liability

Art. 609 D. Liability of limited partners / V. Reduction of limited partner’s specific contribution

Art. 610 D. Liability of limited partners / VI. Creditors’ right of action

Art. 611 D. Liability of limited partners / VII. Entitlement to interest and profit

Art. 612 D. Liability of limited partners / VIII. Joining limited partnerships

Art. 613 E. Position of personal creditors

Art. 614 F. Set off

Art. 615 G. Insolvency / I. In general

Art. 616 G. Insolvency / II. Insolvency of the partnership

Art. 617 G. Insolvency / III. Procedure against general partners

Art. 618 G. Insolvency / IV. Bankruptcy of limited partners

Section Four: Dissolution, Liquidation, Time Limits

Art. 619

Title Twenty-Six2: The Company Limited by Shares

Section One: General Provisions

Art. 620 A. Definition

Art. 621 B. Minimum share capital

Art. 622 C. Shares / I. Types

Art. 623 C. Shares / II. Splitting and consolidating shares

Art. 624 C. Shares / III. Issue price

Art. 625 D. Shareholders

Art. 626 E. Articles of association / I. Content prescribed by law

Art. 627 E. Articles of association / II. Further provisions / 1. In general

Art. 628 E. Articles of association / II. Further provisions / 2. Relating specifically to contributions in kind, acquisitions in kind, special privileges

Art. 629 F. Establishment / I. Deed of incorporation / 1. Content

Art. 630 F. Establishment / I. Deed of incorporation / 2. Share subscription

Art. 631 F. Establishment / II. Supporting documents

Art. 632 F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 1. Minimum contribution

Art. 633 F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 2. Performance of contributions / a. Money contributions

Art. 634 F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 2. Performance of contributions / b. Contributions in kind

Art. 634a F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 2. Performance of contributions / c. Subsequent contribution

Art. 635 F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 3. Verification of capital contributions / a. Statutory report

Art. 635a F. Establishment / III. Capital contributions / 3. Verification of capital contributions / b. Audit confirmation

Art. 636–639

Art. 640 G. Entry in the commercial register / I. Company

Art. 641 G. Entry in the commercial register / II. Branch offices

Art. 642 G. Entry in the commercial register / III. Contributions and acquisitions in kind, special privileges

Art. 643 H. Acquisition of legal personality / I. Timing; entry conditions not satisfied

Art. 644 H. Acquisition of legal personality / II. Shares issued before entry

Art. 645 H. Acquisition of legal personality / III. Obligations contracted prior to entry

Art. 646

Art. 647 J. Amending the articles of association

Art. 648–649

Art. 650 K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 1. Ordinary capital increase

Art. 651 K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 2. Authorised capital increase / a. Basis in articles of association

Art. 651a K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 2. Authorised capital increase / b. Amendment of the articles of association

Art. 652 K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / a. Share subscription

Art. 652a K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / b. Issue prospectus

Art. 652b K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / c. Subscription right

Art. 652c K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / d. Making capital contributions

Art. 652d K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / e. Increase from equity capital

Art. 652e K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / f. Capital increase report

Art. 652f K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / g. Audit confirmation

Art. 652g K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / h. Amendment of articles of association and statements required

Art. 652h K. Increase in the share capital / I. Ordinary and authorised capital increase / 3. Common provisions / i. Entry in the commercial register; nullity of previously issued shares

Art. 653 K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 1. General principle

Art. 653a K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 2. Restrictions

Art. 653b K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 3. Basis in articles of association

Art. 653c K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 4. Protection of shareholders

Art. 653d K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 5. Protection of beneficiaries of conversion or option rights

Art. 653e K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 6. Execution of capital increase / a. Exercise of rights; capital contribution

Art. 653f K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 6. Execution of capital increase / b. Audit confirmation

Art. 653g K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 6. Execution of capital increase / c. Amendment of the articles of association

Art. 653h K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 6. Execution of capital increase / d. Entry in the commercial register

Art. 653i K. Increase in the share capital / II. Contingent capital increase / 7. Deletion

Art. 654 K. Increase in the share capital / III. Preference shares / 1. Requirements

Art. 655

Art. 656 K. Increase in the share capital / III. Preference shares / 2. Status of preference shares

Art. 656a L. Participation certificates / I. Definition; applicable provisions

Art. 656b L. Participation certificates / II. Participation and share capital

Art. 656c L. Participation certificates / III. Legal position of participation certificate holders / 1. In general

Art. 656d L. Participation certificates / III. Legal position of participation certificate holders / 2. Notice and resolutions of general meetings

Art. 656e L. Participation certificates / III. Legal position of participation certificate holders / 3. Representation on the board of directors

Art. 656f L. Participation certificates / III. Legal position of participation certificate holders / 4. Pecuniary rights / a. In general

Art. 656g L. Participation certificates / III. Legal position of participation certificate holders / 4. Pecuniary rights / b. Subscription rights

Art. 657 M. Dividend rights certificates

Art. 658

Art. 659 N. Own shares / I. Restrictions on acquisition

Art. 659a N. Own shares / II. Consequences of acquisition

Art. 659b N. Own shares / III. Acquisition by subsidiaries

Section Two: Rights and Obligations of Shareholders

Art. 660 A. Entitlement to a share of the profits and proceeds of liquidation / I. In general

Art. 661 A. Entitlement to a share of the profits and proceeds of liquidation / II. Calculation method

Art. 662 B. Management report / I. In general / 1. Content

Art. 662a B. Management report / I. In general / 2. Recognised accounting standards

Art. 663 B. Management report / II. Profit and loss account; minimum sub-division

Art. 663a B. Management report / III. Balance sheet; minimum sub-division

Art. 663b B. Management report / IV. Notes to the accounts / 1. In general

Art. 663bbis B. Management report / IV. Notes to the accounts / 2. Additional information on companies with listed shares / a. Remuneration

Art. 663c B. Management report / IV. Notes to the accounts / 2. Additional information on companies with listed shares / b. Equity participations

Art. 663d B. Management report / V. Annual report

Art. 663e B. Management report / VI. Consolidated accounts / 1. Duty to draw up accounts

Art. 663f   B. Management report / VI. Consolidated accounts / 2. Subsidiaries

Art. 663g B. Management report / VI. Consolidated accounts / 3. Preparation

Art. 663h B. Management report / VII. Protection and adaptation

Art. 664 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 1. Costs of establishment and capital increases, organisational costs

Art. 665 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 2. Fixed assets / a. In general

Art. 665a B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 2. Fixed assets / b. Equity participations

Art. 666 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 3. Inventories

Art. 667 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 4. Securities

Art. 668

Art. 669 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 5. Write-downs, valuation adjustments and provisions

Art. 670 B. Management report / VIII. Valuation / 6. Revaluation

Art. 671 C. Reserves / I. Legal reserves / 1. General reserve

Art. 671a C. Reserves / I. Legal reserves / 2. Reserve for own shares

Art. 671b C. Reserves / I. Legal reserves / 3. Revaluation reserve

Art. 672 C. Reserves / II. Reserves pursuant to the articles of association / 1. In general

Art. 673 C. Reserves / II. Reserves pursuant to the articles of association / 2. For staff welfare purposes

Art. 674 C. Reserves / III. Ratio of the share in the profit to the reserves

Art. 675 D. Dividends, interest before commencement of operations and shares of profits paid to board members / I. Dividends

Art. 676 D. Dividends, interest before commencement of operations and shares of profits paid to board members / II. Interest before commencement of operations

Art. 677 D. Dividends, interest before commencement of operations and shares of profits paid to board members / III. Shares of profits paid to board members

Art. 678 E. Return of benefits / I. In general

Art. 679 E. Return of benefits / II. Shares of profits paid to board members on insolvency

Art. 680 F. Shareholder’s duty to contribute / I. Object

Art. 681 F. Shareholder’s duty to contribute / II. Consequences of default / 1. By law and the articles of association

Art. 682 F. Shareholder’s duty to contribute / II. Consequences of default / 2. Call for performance

Art. 683 G. Issue and transfer of shares / I. Bearer shares

Art. 684 G. Issue and transfer of shares / II. Registered shares

Art. 685 H. Restricted transferability / I. Statutory restriction

Art. 685a H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 1. General principles

Art. 685b H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 2. Unlisted registered shares / a. Requirements for refusal

Art. 685c H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 2. Unlisted registered shares / b. Effect

Art. 685d H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 3. Listed registered shares / a. Requirements for refusal

Art. 685e H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 3. Listed registered shares / b. Duty of notification

Art. 685f H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 3. Listed registered shares / c. Transfer of rights

Art. 685g H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 3. Listed registered shares / d. Time limit for refusal

Art. 686 H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 4. Share register / a. Entry

Art. 686a H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 4. Share register / b. Deletion

Art. 687 H. Restricted transferability / II. Restrictions under the articles of association / 5. Registered shares not fully paid in

Art. 688 H. Restricted transferability / III. Interim certificates

Art. 689 J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 1. General principle

Art. 689a J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 2. Entitlement as against the company

Art. 689b J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 3. Representation of the shareholder / a. In general

Art. 689c J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 3. Representation of the shareholder / b. Governing officer as representative

Art. 689d J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 3. Representation of the shareholder / c. Custodian as representative

Art. 689e J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 3. Representation of the shareholder / d. Disclosure

Art. 690 J. Personal membership rights / I. Participation in general meetings of shareholders / 4. Multiple beneficiaries

Art. 691 J. Personal membership rights / II. Unauthorised participation

Art. 692 J. Personal membership rights / III. Voting rights at general meetings of shareholders / 1. General principle

Art. 693 J. Personal membership rights / III. Voting rights at general meetings of shareholders / 2. Shares with privileged voting rights

Art. 694 J. Personal membership rights / III. Voting rights at general meetings of shareholders / 3. Entitlement to exercise voting right

Art. 695 J. Personal membership rights / III. Voting rights at general meetings of shareholders / 4. Exclusion of voting right

Art. 696 J. Personal membership rights / IV. Shareholders’ rights of control / 1. Availability of the management report

Art. 697 J. Personal membership rights / IV. Shareholders’ rights of control / 2. Information and inspection

Art. 697a J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 1. With approval of the general meeting

Art. 697b J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 2. If motion rejected by the general meeting

Art. 697c J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 3. Appointment

Art. 697d J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 4. Audit activities

Art. 697e J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 5. Report

Art. 697f J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 6. Procedure and publication

Art. 697g J. Personal membership rights / V. Right to instigate a special audit / 7. Costs

Art. 697h K. Publication of accounts

Section Three: Organisation of the Company Limited by Shares

B. The Board of Directors3

Art. 707 I. In general / 1. Eligibility

Art. 708

Art. 709 I. In general / 3. Representation of shareholder classes and groups

Art. 710 I. In general / 4. Term of office

Art. 711

Art. 712 II. Organisation / 1. Chairman and secretary

Art. 713 II. Organisation / 2. Resolutions

Art. 714 II. Organisation / 3. Void resolutions

Art. 715 II. Organisation / 4. Right to convene meetings

Art. 715a II. Organisation / 5. Right to information and inspection

Art. 716 III. Duties / 1. In general

Art. 716a III. Duties / 2. Non-transferable duties

Art. 716b III. Duties / 3. Delegation of business management

Art. 717 IV. Duty of care and loyalty

Art. 718 V. Representation / 1. In general

Art. 718a V. Representation / 2. Scope and restriction

Art. 718b V. Representation / 3. Contracts between the company and its representative

Art. 719 V. Representation / 3. Signatures

Art. 720 V. Representation / 4. Registration

Art. 721 V. Representation / 5. Registered attorneys and commercial agents

Art. 722 VI. Directors’ and officers’ liability

Art. 723–724

Art. 725 VII. Capital loss and overindebtedness / 1. Duty to notify

Art. 725a VII. Capital loss and overindebtedness / 2. Commencement or stay of insolvency proceedings

Art. 726 VIII. Dismissal and suspension

C. 4 The External Auditors

Art. 727 I. Audit requirement / 1. Ordinary audit

Art. 727a I. Audit requirement / 2. Limited audit

Art. 727b II. Requirements for the auditor / 1. In an ordinary audit

Art. 727c II. Requirements for the auditor / 2. In a limited audit

Art. 728 III. Ordinary audit / 1. Independence of the auditor

Art. 728a III. Ordinary audit / 2. Duties of the auditor / a. Subject matter and extent of the audit

Art. 728b III. Ordinary audit / 2. Duties of the auditor / b. Audit report

Art. 728c III. Ordinary audit / 2. Duties of the auditor / c. Duty to notify

Art. 729 IV. Limited audit (Review) / 1. Independence of the auditor

Art. 729a IV. Limited audit (Review) / 2. Duties of the auditor / a. Subject matter and extent of the audit

Art. 729b IV. Limited audit (Review) / 2. Duties of the auditor / b. Audit report

Art. 729c IV. Limited audit (Review) / 2. Duties of the auditor / c. Duty to notify

Art. 730 V. Common provisions / 1. Appointment of the auditor

Art. 730a V. Common provisions / 2. Term of office of the auditor

Art. 730b V. Common provisions / 3. Information and confidentiality

Art. 730c V. Common provisions / 4. Documentation and safekeeping of documents

Art. 731 V. Common provisions / 5. Approval of the accounts and allocation of profits

Art. 731a V. Common provisions / 6. Special provisions

D.5 Defects in the Organisation of the Company

Art. 731b

Section Four: Reduction of the Share Capital

Art. 732 A. Resolution to reduce the capital

Art. 732a B. Cancellation of shares in the event of restructuring

Art. 733 B. Call on creditors

Art. 734 C. Implementation of the reduction

Art. 735 D. Reduction in the case of negative net worth

Section Five: Dissolution of a Company Limited by Shares

Art. 736 A. Dissolution in general / I. Grounds

Art. 737 A. Dissolution in general / II. Notification for entry in the commercial register

Art. 738 A. Dissolution in general / III. Consequences

Art. 739 B. Dissolution with liquidation / I. Consequences of liquidation; powers

Art. 740 B. Dissolution with liquidation / II. Appointment and dismissal of the liquidators / 1. Appointment

Art. 741 B. Dissolution with liquidation / II. Appointment and dismissal of the liquidators / 2. Dismissal

Art. 742 B. Dissolution with liquidation / III. Liquidation process / 1. Balance sheet, call on creditors

Art. 743 B. Dissolution with liquidation / III. Liquidation process / 2. Other duties

Art. 744 B. Dissolution with liquidation / III. Liquidation process / 3. Protection of creditors

Art. 745 B. Dissolution with liquidation / III. Liquidation process / 4. Distribution of assets

Art. 746 B. Dissolution with liquidation / IV. Deletion from the commercial register

Art. 747 B. Dissolution with liquidation / V. Archiving of business ledgers

Art. 748─750 C. Dissolution without liquidation / I. ...

Art. 751 C. Dissolution without liquidation / II. Takeover by a public sector corporation

Section Six: Liability

Art. 752 A. Liability / I. For the issue prospectus

Art. 753 A. Liability / II. Founder members’ liability

Art. 754 A. Liability / III. Liability for administration, business management and liquidation

Art. 755 A. Liability / IV. Auditors’ liability

Art. 756 B. Damage to the company / I. Claims outside insolvency

Art. 757 B. Damage to the company / II. Claims in insolvency

Art. 758 B. Damage to the company / III. Effect of the resolution of release

Art. 759 C. Joint and several liability and recourse

Art. 760 D. Time limits

Art. 761

Section Seven: Involvement of Public Sector Corporations

Art. 762

Section Eight: Exclusion of Application of the Code to Public-Sector Entities

Art. 763

Title Twenty-Seven: The Partnership limited by Shares

Art. 764 A. Definition

Art. 765 B. Directors / I. Designation and powers

Art. 766 B. Directors / II. Approval of resolutions of the general meeting

Art. 767 B. Directors / III. Withdrawal of authority to manage business and represent the partnership

Art. 768 C. Supervisory board / I. Appointment and powers

Art. 769 C. Supervisory board / II. Liability action

Art. 770 D. Dissolution

Art. 771 E. Resignation

Title Twenty-Eight:6 The Limited Liability Company

Section One: General Provisions

Art. 772 A. Definition

Art. 773 B. Nominal capital

Art. 774 C. Capital contributions

Art. 774a D. Profit sharing certificates

Art. 775 D. Company members

Art. 776 E. Articles of association / I. Content prescribed by law

Art. 776a E. Articles of association / II. Conditional requirements as to content

Art. 777 E. Articles of association / II. Conditional requirements as to content / I. Certificate of incorporation

Art. 777a E. Articles of association / II. Subscription for capital contributions

Art. 777b E. Articles of association / III. Documents

Art. 777c E. Articles of association / IV. Capital contributions

Art. 778 H. Entry in the commercial register / I. Company

Art. 778a H. Entry in the commercial register / II. Branch offices

Art. 779 J. Acquisition of legal personality / I. Time; Failure to meet requirements

Art. 779a J. Acquisition of legal personality / II. Obligations entered into before registration

Art. 780 K. Amendment of the articles of association

Art. 781 L. Increase in the nominal capital

Art. 782 M. Reduction of the nominal capital

Art. 783 N. Acquisition of own capital contributions

Section Two: Rights and Obligations of Company Members

Art. 784 A. Capital contributions / I. Official document

Art. 785 A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / a. Form

Art. 786 A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / b. Consent requirements

Art. 787 A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / c. Transfer of rights

Art. 788 A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / 2. Special forms of acquisition

Art. 789 A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / 3. Determining the true value

Art. 789a A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / 4. Usufruct

Art. 789b A. Capital contributions / II. Transfer / 5. Charge

Art. 790 A. Capital contributions / III. Register of contributions

Art. 791 A. Capital contributions / IV. Entry in the commercial register

Art. 792 A. Capital contributions / V. Common property

Art. 793 B. Payment of capital contributions

Art. 794 C. Liability the company members

Art. 795 D. Additional financial and material contributions / I. Additional financial contributions / 1. Principle and amount

Art. 795a D. Additional financial and material contributions / I. Additional financial contributions / 2. Call for additional financial contributions

Art. 795b D. Additional financial and material contributions / I. Additional financial contributions / 3. Repayment

Art. 795c D. Additional financial and material contributions / I. Additional financial contributions / 4. Reduction

Art. 795d D. Additional financial and material contributions / I. Additional financial contributions / 5. Continuation

Art. 796 D. Additional financial and material contributions / II. Further material contributions

Art. 797 D. Additional financial and material contributions / III. Retrospective introduction

Art. 798 E. Dividends, interest, shares of profits / I. Dividends

Art. 798a E. Dividends, interest, shares of profits / II. Interest

Art. 798b E. Dividends, interest, shares of profits / III. Shares of profits

Art. 799 F. Preferential capital contributions

Art. 800 G. Refund of payments

Art. 801 H. Management report, reserves and publication

Art. 801a J. Notification of the management report

Art. 802 K. Right to information and to inspect documents

Art. 803 L. Duty of loyalty and prohibition of competition

Section Three: Organisation of the Company

Art. 804 A. Members' general meeting / I. Responsibilities

Art. 805 A. Members' general meeting / II. Convening and conduct of the meeting

Art. 806 A. Members' general meeting / III. Voting rights / 1. Determination

Art. 806a A. Members' general meeting / III. Voting rights / 2. Exclusion of the right to vote

Art. 806b A. Members' general meeting / III. Voting rights / 3. Usufruct

Art. 807 A. Members' general meeting / IV. Right of veto

Art. 808 A. Members' general meeting / V. Resolutions / 1. In general

Art. 808a A. Members' general meeting / V. Resolutions / 2. Casting vote

Art. 808b A. Members' general meeting / V. Resolutions / 3. Important resolutions

Art. 808c A. Members' general meeting / VI. Contesting resolutions of the members' general meeting

Art. 809 B. Management and representation / I. designation the managing director and organisation

Art. 810 B. Management and representation / II. Duties of the managing directors

Art. 811 B. Management and representation / III. Approval by the members' general meeting

Art. 812 B. Management and representation / IV. Duty of care and of loyalty; prohibition of competition

Art. 813 B. Management and representation / V. Equal treatment

Art. 814 B. Management and representation / VI. Representation

Art. 815 B. Management and representation / VII. Removal of managing directors; Revocation of the right to represent the company

Art. 816 B. Management and representation / VIII. Nullity of decisions

Art. 817 B. Management and representation / IX. Liability

Art. 818 C. Auditor

Art. 819 D. Defects in the organisation the company

Art. 820 E. Loss of capital and overindebtedness

Section Four: Dissolution and Resignation

Art. 821 A. Dissolution / I. Grounds

Art. 821a A. Dissolution / II. Consequences

Art. 822 B. Resignation of company members / I. Resignation

Art. 822a B. Resignation of company members / II. Follow-up resignations

Art. 823 B. Resignation of company members / III. Exclusion

Art. 824 B. Resignation of company members / IV. Interim measures

Art. 825 B. Resignation of company members / V. Financial settlement / 1. Entitlement and amount

Art. 825a B. Resignation of company members / V. Financial settlement / 2. Payment

Art. 826 C. Liquidation

Section Five: Liability

Art. 827

Title Twenty-Nine: The Cooperative

Section One: Definition and Establishment

Art. 828 A. Cooperatives under the Code of Obligations

Art. 829 B. Cooperatives under public law

Art. 830 C. Establishment / I. Requirements / 1. In general

Art. 831 C. Establishment / I. Requirements / 2. Number of members

Art. 832 II. Articles of association / 1. Content prescribed by law

Art. 833 II. Articles of association / 2. Further provisions

Art. 834 II. Articles of association / III. Constituent assembly

Art. 835 II. Articles of association / IV. Entry in the commercial register / 1. Cooperative

Art. 836 II. Articles of association / IV. Entry in the commercial register / 2. Branch offices

Art. 837 II. Articles of association / IV. Entry in the commercial register / 3. List of members

Art. 838 II. Articles of association / V. Acquisition of legal personality

Section Two: Acquisition of Membership

Art. 839 A. General principle

Art. 840 B. Declaration of accession

Art. 841 C. In connection with an insurance policy

Section Three: Loss of Membership

Art. 842 A. Departure / I. Freedom to leave

Art. 843 A. Departure / II. Restriction of departure

Art. 844 A. Departure / III. Notice and timing of departure

Art. 845 A. Departure / IV. Exercise in bankruptcy and attachment

Art. 846 B. Exclusion

Art. 847 C. Death of a member

Art. 848 D. Lapse of office, employment or contract

Art. 849 E. Transfer of membership / I. In general

Art. 850 E. Transfer of membership / II. By transfer of land or commercial exploitation

Art. 851 F. Departure of the legal successor

Section Four: Rights and Obligations of the Members

Art. 852 A. Proof of membership

Art. 853 B. Share certificates

Art. 854 C. Equality

Art. 855 D. Rights / I. Voting right

Art. 856 D. Rights / II. Control by the members / 1. Disclosure of the balance sheet

Art. 857 D. Rights / II. Control by the members / 2. Release of information

Art. 858 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 1. Determining the net profit

Art. 859 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 2. Profit distribution principles

Art. 860 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 3. Duty to form and accumulate a reserve fund

Art. 861 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 4. Net profit at credit cooperatives

Art. 862 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 5. Welfare funds

Art. 863 D. Rights / III. Rights to share the net profit / 6. Further allocations to reserves

Art. 864 D. Rights / IV. Entitlement to settlement / 1. Under the articles of association

Art. 865 D. Rights / IV. Entitlement to settlement / 2. By law

Art. 866 E. Duties / I. Duty of loyalty

Art. 867 E. Duties / II. Duty to make contributions

Art. 868 E. Duties / III. Liability / 1. Of the cooperative

Art. 869 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / a. Unlimited liability

Art. 870 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / b. Limited liability

Art. 871 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / c. Liability to make additional contributions

Art. 872 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / d. Inadmissible restrictions

Art. 873 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / e. Procedure in insolvency

Art. 874 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / f. Amendment of liability provisions

Art. 875 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / g. Liability of new members

Art. 876 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / h. Liability after departure or dissolution

Art. 877 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / i. Notification of accessions and departures for entry in the commercial register

Art. 878 E. Duties / III. Liability / 2. Of the members / k. Limitation periods for liability

Section Five: Organisation of the Cooperative

Art. 879 A. General assembly of members / I. Powers

Art. 880 A. General assembly of members / II. Ballot

Art. 881 A. General assembly of members / III. Convening the general assembly / 1. Right and duty

Art. 882 A. General assembly of members / III. Convening the general assembly / 2. Form

Art. 883 A. General assembly of members / III. Convening the general assembly / 3. Agenda items

Art. 884 A. General assembly of members / III. Convening the general assembly / 4. Universal meeting

Art. 885 A. General assembly of members / IV. Voting rights

Art. 886 A. General assembly of members / V. Representation

Art. 887 A. General assembly of members / VI. Exclusion of voting rights

Art. 888 A. General assembly of members / VII. Resolutions / 1. In general

Art. 889 A. General assembly of members / VII. Resolutions / 2. Increase of members’ obligations

Art. 890 A. General assembly of members / VIII. Dismissal of the directors and the auditor

Art. 891 A. General assembly of members / IX. Challenging resolutions of the general assembly

Art. 892 A. General assembly of members / X. Assembly of delegates

Art. 893 A. General assembly of members / XI. Exceptions for insurance cooperatives

Art. 894 B. Directors / I. Eligibility / 1. Membership

Art. 895 B. Directors / I. Eligibility / 2....

Art. 896 B. Directors / II. Term of office

Art. 897 B. Directors / III. Administrative committees

Art. 898 B. Directors / IV. Business management and representation / 1. Delegation

Art. 899 B. Directors / IV. Business management and representation / 2. Scope and restriction

Art. 899a B. Directors / IV. Business management and representation / 3. Contracts between the cooperative and its representatives

Art. 900 B. Directors / IV. Business management and representation / 3. Signatures

Art. 901 B. Directors / IV. Business management and representation / 4. Entry

Art. 902 B. Directors / V. Duties / 1. In general

Art. 903 B. Directors / 2. Duty to notify capital loss and overindebtedness

Art. 904 B. Directors / VI. Return of payments to members

Art. 905 B. Directors / VII. Dismissal and suspension

Art. 906 C. Auditor / I. In general

Art. 907 C. Auditor / II. Verification of the membership list

Art. 908 C. Auditor / II. Verification of the membership list / 2. Defects in organisation

Art. 909 and 910

Section Six: Dissolution of the Cooperative

Art. 911 A. Grounds for dissolution

Art. 912 A. Grounds for dissolution / B. Notification for entry in the commercial register

Art. 913 A. Grounds for dissolution / C. Liquidation, distribution of assets

Art. 914 D. ...

Art. 915 D. ... / E. Takeover by a public sector corporation

Section Seven: Liability

Art. 916 A. Liability to the cooperative

Art. 917 B. Liability to the cooperative, members and creditors

Art. 918 C. Joint and several liability and recourse

Art. 919 D. Time limits

Art. 920 E. Liability in credit and insurance cooperatives

Section Eight: Cooperative Unions

Art. 921 A. Requirements

Art. 922 B. Organisation / I. Assembly of delegates

Art. 923 B. Organisation / II. Board of directors

Art. 924 B. Organisation / III. Monitoring, challenge

Art. 925 B. Organisation / IV. Exclusion of new obligations

Section Nine: Involvement of Public Sector Corporations

Art. 926

1 New content in accordance with FL of 18 Dec. 1936, in force since 1 July 1937 (AS 53 185; BBl 1928 I 233, 1932 I 217). See Fin. and Trans. Prov. of Titles XXIV to XXXIII, at the end of the CO.
2 See also the Final Provisions relating to this Title at the end of this Code.
3 Amended in accordance with No I of the Federal Act of 4 Oct. 1991, in force since 1 July 1992 (AS 1992 733 786; BBl 1983 II 745).
4 Amended by No I 1 of the Federal Act of 16 Dec. 2005 (Law on Limited Liability Companies and Amendments to the Law on Companies limited by Shares, Cooperatives, the Commercial Register and Business Names), in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 4791 4839; BBl 2002 3148, 2004 3969).
5 Inserted by No I 3 of the Federal Act of 16 Dec. 2005 (Law on Limited Liability Companies and Amendments to the Law on Companies limited by Shares, Cooperatives, the Commercial Register and Business Names), in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 4791 4839; BBl 2002 3148, 2004 3969).
6 Amended by No I 2 of the Federal Act of 16 Dec. 2005 (Law on Limited Liability Companies and Amendments to the Law on Companies limited by Shares, Cooperatives, the Commercial Register and Business Names), in force since 1 Jan. 2008 (AS 2007 4791 4839; BBl 2002 3148, 2004 3969).

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