Reference
Procedural deadlines — Geneva and Switzerland
Critical deadlines by subject matter, sorted by urgency. Compliance with these deadlines is the precondition for the admissibility of every action. When in doubt, consult without delay.
Extreme urgency — within 24 to 48 h
| Subject | Deadline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| International child abduction — seising the Central Authority | 24-48 h | Hague 1980 art. 1 ss |
| TPAE conservatory measures — prohibition to leave the territory | 24 h | CC art. 307 + LF-EEA |
| Removal of domestic-violence perpetrator (LVD) | 10 days, extendable 30 | LVD / LaLF |
Urgent — short deadlines
| Subject | Deadline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Marital protection measures (MPUC) — hearing | 4 to 8 weeks | CC arts. 172-179 + CPC art. 271 |
| Appeal against an MPUC or emergency order | 10 days | CPC art. 314 |
| Hague 1980 return — hearing before the Court of First Instance | 6 weeks | Hague 1980 art. 11 |
| Opposition to an LP attachment (séquestre) | 10 days | LP art. 278 |
| Opposition to an OCPM decision | 30 days | LPA / LEI art. 64 |
| Appeal to the TAPI | 30 days | LPA-GE |
| Opposition to an AI pre-decision | 30 days | LAI / LPGA art. 52 |
| Appeal to TAPI Chambre des assurances sociales | 30 days | LPGA arts. 56-60 |
| Definitive mainlevée on judgment | Summary procedure ~ 4 to 8 weeks | LP art. 80 |
| Action in release of debt | 20 days | LP art. 83 |
| Exequatur — opposition (Lugano) | 30 days (60 if foreign-domiciled) | LUG art. 43 al. 5 |
| Appeal in exequatur matters (Cour de justice) | 30 days | LUG art. 43 + CPC |
Standard deadlines
| Subject | Deadline | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Repudiation deadline of a succession | 3 months | CC art. 567 |
| Benefit of inventory — application | 1 month after death | CC art. 580 |
| Appeal of a divorce judgment | 30 days | CPC art. 311 |
| Appeal to the Federal Tribunal in civil matters | 30 days | LTF art. 100 |
| Family reunification — filing deadline | 5 years (1 year for child ≥ 12) | LEI art. 47 |
| AI pension claim — lasting work incapacity | 6 months after incapacity starts | LAI art. 28 |
| AI qualifying period | 1 year of incapacity ≥ 40 % | LAI art. 28 al. 1 let. b |
Fast tracks in Geneva
- Police — 117 (domestic-violence emergency)
- Justice of the Peace — conservatory measures for successions and guardianship
- Tribunal de protection (TPAE) — prohibition to leave the territory, child-protection measures
- Court of First Instance — Family Chamber — MPUC, divorce, custody, Hague returns
- Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) — Central Authority for Hague 1980
This list is not exhaustive. Deadlines are general rules; exceptions and suspensions are possible (court vacations, dies a quo, valid service). Always confirm with the legal text or your counsel.