Partner

Dr Sibylle Schnyder, LL.M.

Head of the Real Estate Law Practice Group | Certified Specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law

Languages

German
English
French

Social media

Sibylle Schnyder specialises in real estate law and mainly deals with real estate acquisitions and divestments, portfolio transactions, construction and development projects, landlord and tenant law, real estate financing, sale & rent back transactions and real estate related litigation.

Among the clients of Sibylle Schnyder are Swiss and foreign institutional real estate investors, companies with corporate real estate matters and individuals.Her tasks include, amongst others, the legal due diligence of properties and real estate projects, drafting and negotiating of contracts (in particular purchase, construction and lease agreements as well as management agreements) and the assistance with all questions arising in connection with the realisation of real estate projects (such as environmental and regulatory aspects, Lex Koller etc.).

Sibylle Schnyder deals with commercial and residential buildings all over Switzerland. In addition, Sibylle Schnyder has longstanding experience with hotel and leisure properties, holiday homes, senior citizen homes, logistics buildings, shopping malls and other special real properties.

Sibylle Schnyder joined CMS Zurich in 2002 and is a partner since 2013.

Awards & Recognitions

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Sibylle Schnyder is very knowledgeable, service-oriented and goal-oriented in the respective topics.

Chambers & Partners, Europe, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2024
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Dr. Stefan Gerster: Exceptional track record in real estate institutional transactions Dr. Sybille Schnyder: Exceptional track record in real estate institutional transactions.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real Estate and Construction, 2023
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Individuals to be mentioned: Stefan Gerster, Sibylle Schnyder, Thomas Zweifel.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real Estate and Construction, 2023
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Clients note her "large track record," and add that "she is very client- and business-oriented."

Chambers & Partners, Europe, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2022
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WWL says: According to one client, Sibylle Schnyder "brings broad expertise in real estate law, possesses good business acumen and is solutions-oriented.”

Who's Who Legal, Construction & Real Estate, Switzerland, 2016
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Clients recommend Sibylle Schnyder for her strong work in contracts, property purchase agreements and private building law. Her expertise also covers transactions, tenancy law, construction law and hotel agreements. Commentators appreciate that "she is willing to dig very deeply and come up with good solutions."

Chambers and Partners, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2016
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According to sources, Sibylle Schnyder is "efficient, focused and reliable. She is deal-oriented and finds creative solutions to get the deal done." Clients also highlight her efficiency: "If you drop something on her desk it will be dealt with in time and to a high standard."

Chambers and Partners, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2015

Relevant experience

Advising Deka Immobilien on the acquisition of Pictet's headquarters in Geneva
Advising UBS AG regarding the sale of a five star hotel in the historic center of Zurich (Hotel Widder) together with adjacent properties and the operating company
Advising Acron Helvetia II Immobilien AG, a listed real estate company, regarding the sale of hotel Steigenberger in Gstaad
Advising Allianz Suisse in connection with re-positioning and complete overhaul of an office building in the central business district of Zurich (approx. 14,000 sqm)
Advising Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund Hospitality regarding the sale of Hotel Palace Lucerne
Advising Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund Hospitality regarding the acquisition of a portfolio of three branded hotels
Advising Credit Suisse Investment Foundation in connection with the development and construction of a mixed-use residential, office, retail and hotel project in Zurich
Advising Swiss Prime Anlagestiftung regarding the acquisition of a start portfolio of 7 properties situated in 6 cantons and purchase of other real estate
Advising a global IT company regarding the expansion of its Swiss offices (approx. 50,000 sqm, 3,000–4,000 additional work stations) at Europaallee near Zurich main station
Advising client regarding the construction of an old-age and care centre in the Canton of Berne (general contractor and general planer agreement, lease agreement)
Advising Swiss and foreign institutional investors in connection with the acquisition of properties in Switzerland, including commercial, logistic and hotel properties as well as sale & rent back transactions

Publications

The Legal Industry – Switzerland, 01/2025
CMS Newsletter - Solaranlagen in der Schweiz - ein Überblick aus rechtlicher Sicht, 05/2024
IMMO25 Magazin, Ein rechtlicher Blick auf Photovoltaikanlagen - Neues im Law, 12/2024
CMS Newsletter - Green Leases - Grüne Mietverträge, 06/2022
Podcast Law On Air, Episode 6 - Green Leases, 04/2022
The International Hotel Law Review, 1st Edition, Switzerland chapter - Law Business Research Ltd., 01/2021
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht - DIE COVID-19-Verordnung Miete und Pacht – Nachfrist bei Zahlungsrückständen, 05/2020
Haftungsfreizeichnung bei Grundstückskaufverträgen, MODULAR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 04/2019
Rechtsfragen rund um Ladestationen für Elektrofahrzeuge auf privatem Grund, MODULOR, Architektur, Bauen, Recht, 04/2018
General- und Totalunternehmerverträge, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2017
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Augen auf beim Grundstückskauf, 06/2017
Zweitwohnungsgesetz, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2016
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zweitwohnungsgesetz, 12/2015
Haftungsbeschränkung in Planerverträgen, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 05/2015
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zuständigkeit der Handelsgerichte für mietrechtliche Streitigkeiten, 06/2014
Neuerungen im Altlastrecht, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2014
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Änderung des Raumplanungsgesetzes (RPG), 03/2013
Schnittstellenproblematik von Baumängeln unter Mietrecht und Werkvertragsrecht, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 01/2013
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zweitwohnungen, 09/2012
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Erdbebensicherheit, 07/2012
Rechtsfragen rund um Erdbebensicherheit von Bauwerken, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2012
CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Register-Schuldbrief, 07/2011
Vertragsgestaltung beim Verkauf von neu erstelltem Wohn-Eigentum, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2011
Double-net, Triple-net und andere besondere Regelungsformen von Unterhaltsverpflichtungen in Geschäftsmietverträgen, MRA MietRecht Aktuell, 04/2010
Subunternehmerverträge – Worauf zu achten ist, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2010
Grundstückskaufverträge, Fragen rund um Eigentumsübertragung und Besitzesantritt, Der Schweizer Treuhänder 2010/1-2, 02/2010
Wie man Hotels kauft, Swiss Equity magazin, 06/2009
Mietverträge in wirtschaftlich schweren Zeiten, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Sonderbeilage Immobilien, 25/03/2009

Memberships & Roles

Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
Chamber of specialist lawyers SBA Construction and Real Estate Law
wipswiss (women in property switzerland association)
Chamber of independent building owner consultants (KUB)
Swiss society of engineers and architects
the boardroom

Awards & Rankings

The Legal 500 | Real Estate and Construction, Switzerland, 2025 | Leading Partner
Chambers and Partners | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2022 | Europe | Band 2
IFLR 1000 | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2021 | Notable practitioner
Who's Who Legal | Real Estate/Construction, Switzerland, 2021 | Thought Leader Global Elite
Who's Who Legal | Hospitality, Switzerland, 2021 | Global Leader
Best Lawyers | Construction Law, Switzerland, 2021 | Best Lawyer of the Year 2022
Euromoney's Women in Business Law Expert Guide | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2021 | World’s leading female practitioner

Lectures list

University of Fribourg, Certified specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law, topic „Lease of real estate property“
University of Zurich, CUREM (Center for Urban Real Estate Management at Swiss Banking Institute of University of Zurich, www.curem.ch), topic „Purchase Agreements and Due Diligence“
PropertyCom, topic "Current Legal Developments in Real Estate"

Education

2010 – Certified Specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law
2008 – Dr. iur., University of Basel
2005 – Master of Laws, LL.M. in commercial law, University of Cambridge (UK)
2001 – Bar Admission, Zurich
1999 – Legal studies, lic. iur., magna cum laude, University of Basel

Practice Areas

Real Estate ESG Corporate / M&A Banking & Finance

sectors

Hospitality, Travel & Leisure

Insights

Global Reach