Review: Conference: «Good Lawmaking – Implementation of European Law in Switzerland»

How can we ensure good lawmaking when transposing European law into Swiss law? More than 80 participants addressed this question at the conference “Good Lawmaking – Transposition of European Law in Switzerland” held at the Federal Palace in Bern.

Katja Christ, First Vice President of the National Council, opened the event with a welcoming address. In the morning, Prof. Dr. iur. Astrid Epiney examined the dynamic process of transposing law and dispute resolution within the framework of the Bilateral Agreements III. Dr. iur. Michael Schöll, Director of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), addressed the challenges facing the administration. Subsequently, Dr. iur. des. Martina Stirnimann, a former doctoral candidate at the ZDA, outlined the role and scope of action of the Federal Assembly in the implementation of the Switzerland–EU bilateral agreements. The morning discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. iur. Felix Uhlmann.

In the afternoon, Martin Graf, former secretary of the State Policy Commissions and the Constitutional Commissions, spoke about Parliament’s role in the drafting and dynamic adoption of EU law. Ambassador Ivo Germann, head of SECO’s Foreign Trade Directorate, outlined the economic implications of implementing the bilateral agreements with the EU. Dr. iur. Markus Dieth, President of the Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK CdC) and member of the Aargau Cantonal Government, examined the cantons’ implementation of these agreements. The concluding discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. iur. Andreas Glaser, a member of the ZDA’s Executive Board.

The conference was jointly organized by the Center for Legislative Studies (ZfR) at the University of Zurich, the Center of Excellence for Public Management at the University of Bern, and the Center for Democracy Studies Aarau (ZDA).