Executive Summary
The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) is opening a consultation procedure on June 24, 2026 for a federal law to reform the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and its oversight. The proposal implements two parliamentary motions from the legal affairs commissions of both chambers (Motion 21.3970 and 21.3972). At the same time, regulations on federal jurisdiction will be revised selectively. An additional motion from the Security Policy Commission (24.3819) on criminal proceedings against minors for terrorist offences will be integrated. The consultation period ends on October 16, 2026.
Persons
- Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP; lead department)
Topics
- Federal Public Prosecutor's Office reform
- Oversight mechanisms
- Federal jurisdiction
- Counter-terrorism
- Parliamentary motions
Clarus Lead
The reform proposal addresses structural questions of criminal justice independence and control at the federal level. With a consultation period of just under four months, a tight timeline for stakeholder consultation is set. The integration of a motion on minors in terrorism proceedings signals that security policy and judicial reform objectives are being pursued in parallel.
Detailed Summary
The reform proposal is based on two identically worded motions from the legal affairs commissions of the Council of States and National Council from 2021. These call for a comprehensive overhaul of the legal foundations for the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office as well as its oversight mechanisms.
In addition, existing regulations on federal jurisdiction will be adjusted selectively. Another parliamentary initiative – Motion 24.3819 from the National Council's Security Policy Commission – will be implemented in this reform package. It aims to introduce a reporting obligation in criminal proceedings against minors for terrorist offences, thereby combining youth protection with security interests.
The consultation will be coordinated centrally via the Fedlex platform (eli/dl/proj/2026/8/cons_1) and enables structured consultation of all relevant stakeholders.
Key Statements
- Reform proposal on the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and its oversight is released for public consultation
- Implementation of two identical parliamentary motions from 2021
- Integrated regulations on criminal proceedings against minors in terrorism cases
- Consultation period: June 24 to October 16, 2026
Critical Questions
Evidence/Source Validity: What specific deficits in the current oversight structure of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office are addressed by the proposal, and on what empirical basis are the proposed changes founded?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do security interests (counter-terrorism) influence the design of oversight mechanisms, and how is the independence of criminal prosecution ensured?
Causality/Alternatives: Why is the reporting obligation for minors in terrorism cases considered necessary – what alternatives were examined?
Feasibility/Risks: How is it ensured that the four-month consultation period provides sufficient time for qualified statements from complex stakeholders (cantons, legal profession, courts)?
Bibliography
Primary Source: Federal Law on the Reform of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and its Oversight – https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/2026/8/cons_1
Verification Status: ✓ June 24, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: June 24, 2026