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851-0703-00L 2 Credits BSC , DS , MSC D-ITET , D-INFK , D-MTEC , D-GESS , D-MATH
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Swiss Legal System. Basic Course

Grundzüge des Rechts

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Alexander Ruch, Prof. em. Dr. Gérard Hertig
VVZ CR 3.8

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:41

Abstract

Introduction to lawThe basics of contract Law (formation of contract and contract performance),tort law (including liability limitation) and litigation.Constitutional and administrative law (organization and duties of the state, sources of law, fundamental rights, procedure of public authorities).

Objective

Introduction to Swiss constitutional and administrative law as well as the law of contracts and torts serving as a basis for further legal courses.

Content

1st part: introduction to the Law of Contracts and Torts: Contracts: contractual freedom, formation of contracts, formal requirements, breach of contract; Torts; negligence and strict liability, limited liability; litigation: law suits and the role of judges 2nd part: introduction to Swiss Constitutional and Admininistrative Law: Constitutional Law; functions and sources of law. Structure and organisation of the state. Federal authorities. Principles and legal foundations of the state's activities. Individual rights and liberties. Equality before the law. Administrative Law: relation between administrative law.Particular branches of administrative law. Administrative organisation and procedure. International legal community.

Resources

Lecture Notes

- Schwenzer, Ingeborg: Schweizerisches Obligationenrecht, Allgemeiner Teil (4. Auflage, Stämpfli Verlag, 2006). The textbook by Urs Ch. Nef, Obligationenrecht für Ingenieure und Architekten (3. Auflage, NZZ Verlag, 2000) ist out of print, but can be used as a script just in this semester.- Ruch, Alexander: Einführung in das öffentliche Recht, Skriptum zur ETH-Vorlesung Grundzüge des Rechts Teil II, Ausgabe 2006 (Nachdruck)

Literature

- Nef, Urs Ch.: Obligationenrecht für Ingenieure und Architekten, 3d Edition, Zurich 2000 - Dessemontet / Ansay Eds., Introduction to Swiss Law, 3d Edition, The Hague 2004 - Zweigert, Konrad / Kötz Hein, An Introduction to Comparative Law, 3d Edition, Oxford 1998 (translated by Tony Weir) - Aubert, Jean-François: Traité de droit constitutionnel suisse, 2 Bde., Paris/Neuchâtel 1967; Supplément 1967-1982, Neuchâtel 1982 - Häfelin Ulrich / Haller Walter: Schweizerisches Bundesstaatsrecht, Die neue Bundesverfassung, 6., neu bearbeitete Auflage, Zürich 2005 (inkl. Supplement "Bundesgericht und Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit nach der Justizreform, 2006) - Häfelin Ulrich / Müller Georg / Uhlmann Felix : Allgemeines Verwaltungsrecht, 5., vollständig überarbeitete Auflage, Zürich 2006 - Knapp, Blaise: Précis de droit administratif, 4e éd., rev. et corr., Bâle/Francfort-sur-le-Main, 1991, deutsche Übersetzung: Grundlagen des Verwaltungsrechts, 2 Bde., Basel/ Frankfurt a.M. 1992/1993

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Schriftliche Prüfung (Teil Privatrecht: Multiple Choice Prüfung). Hilfsmittel gem. separatem Merkblatt (www.ruch.ethz.ch)

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Grundzüge des Rechts
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (HG G 5)
2 h weekly

Offered In