Executive Summary
The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) opens a consultation procedure on May 13, 2026 regarding amendments to the Corporate Law. The preliminary draft aims to legally regulate, disclose, and prevent conflicts of interest involving voting advisors. The consultation period ends on September 4, 2026. The procedure is coordinated by the Swiss Federal Chancellery.
Persons
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (Lead)
Topics
- Corporate Law
- Voting advisors
- Conflicts of interest
- Consultation procedure
- Regulation
Clarus Lead
Switzerland is responding to growing concerns regarding conflicts of interest in the voting advisory sector. The planned legislative amendment addresses a governance risk affecting both shareholders and corporate boards alike: voting advisors can face conflicts of interest during general assembly votes if their recommendations are not transparently disclosed. With a four-month consultation period, the Federal Council signals urgency in this regulatory area.
Detailed Summary
The consultation procedure is directed at cantons, municipalities, parties, associations, and interested parties. The preliminary draft can be viewed via the fedlex.data.admin.ch portal (Project 2026/7) and may be commented on until September 4, 2026.
The Federal Chancellery (Communications Division) is available for inquiries and can be contacted at telephone number +41 58 462 37 91. The procedure follows the standardized Swiss consultation process, which gives stakeholders the opportunity to comment before the Federal Council submits a draft law to Parliament.
Key Messages
- Legal regulation of conflicts of interest for voting advisors planned
- Disclosure obligations to be established
- Four-month consultation period for stakeholder participation
- Coordination by the Federal Department of Justice and Police
Critical Questions
(Evidence/Source Validity) What empirical data or case studies underpin the preliminary draft to demonstrate the extent of conflicts of interest among voting advisors?
(Conflicts of Interest/Incentives) How will it be ensured that disclosure requirements do not themselves create new conflicts of interest or compliance burdens?
(Causality/Alternatives) Were alternative regulatory models (e.g., self-regulation by industry associations) evaluated, or is the legislative solution the only scenario considered?
(Feasibility/Risks) How will SMEs and smaller shareholder structures be affected by the new disclosure obligations, and are there transition periods?
(Delimitation) How is the definition of "voting advisor" delineated – does it also include proxy voting services and asset managers?
Source Index
Primary Source: Consultation Opening: Federal Department of Justice and Police – Amendment to Corporate Law (Voting Advisors) | Swiss Federal Chancellery, May 13, 2026
Verification Status: ✓ May 13, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: May 13, 2026