Switzerland revises transparency obligations – Part 1: Swiss Parliament bids farewell to bearer shares

On 21 June 2019, the Swiss Parliament passed a law implementing the recommendations of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, which included amendments to the Swiss Code of Obligations (revCO), the Swiss Criminal Code and other legislation (including tax laws). In this, part one of our analysis, we discuss the abolishment of bearer shares in Swiss corporate law and the consequences to Swiss entities and their shareholders. In part two (to be published shortly), we will highlight other corporate law aspects of the revCO and briefly address the related criminal sanctions introduced in the Swiss Criminal Code. For more information, follow the link to the main article.