“Arbitrate instead of judging!”

According to Article 8 of the Justice Act, every municipality in Valais must appoint a municipal judge and a vice judge, who is usually a layperson in law. Among other things, the municipal judge in Valais is responsible in the following areas:

• Conducting conciliation negotiations in contentious proceedings
• Preparation of judgments with a claim of up to CHF 2,000 or proposed judgment of up to CHF 10,000 (voluntary)
• Inventory and sealing in the event of deaths
• Inheritance administration
• Openings of wills
• Issuance of inheritance certificates

In addition, the municipal judge is involved as a trustworthy person in housing inspections under tenancy law, to establish facts on site or to receive objects. In these diverse activities, the municipal judge must be assisted by law “by a court clerk appointed by him, who is the holder of a university degree in law, in an advisory capacity.”

Our lawyers and notaries now draw on a reference from a total of 19 municipal courts in Upper Valais, with whom we have worked together for many years. We are also happy to provide you and your community with our experience as a municipal court clerk.

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