Sunday’s vote: justice reform package expected to be approved

Among the issues being voted on this weekend is a justice reform package. It is widely expected to be approved.

Among the issues being voted on this weekend is a justice reform package. It is widely expected to be approved.

Originally thought of as sweeping constitutional changes to Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, the present reform package has been heavily trimmed.

However, one of the main aims, relieving the Federal Court in Lausanne, of some of its workload is still being pursued. The country’s highest court is chronically overloaded ,not least by people appealing against minor motoring offences.

An indirect limit to access will be provided by an additional judges’ panel that can decide if a case should be heard by the full court in session.

As a federal country with quite divergent legal rules in the cantons, there is a need to streamline procedures with respect to lawyers, courts, and trials. The justice reform would give the government the right to introduce more uniform criminal and civil law procedures.

There has been some opposition to these changes from a number of cantonal lawyers’ associations.

Th original justice reform package had foreseen greater hurdles for the launching of peoples’ initiatives and referenda against legislation. Because parliament would not entertain any curtailment of voters’ rights, any such plans have had to be postponed, if not shelved.

By Peter Haller