Publications

Publications on various subjects including national and international trusteeships issued by Schwärzler Attorneys at Law.

Asset Recovery 2015 Liechtenstein

Asset Recovery Liechtenstein 2015 touches many aspects of both Civil Law and Criminal Law in Liechtenstein and the recovery of assets with procedural measures. The publication gives an extensive overview on possible measures in cases of civil and criminal asset recovery being a main field of experience and practice of the author. The material civil law offers vast possibilities to reclaim and recover lost or stolen assets and also damages e.g. by claims for compensation of damages, tort claims, claims for unjust enrichment, the surrender of property and subsequent enforcement. Further it offers several effective measures to secure existing claims and prevent further disposal of assets and further losses by means of injunction and other provisional measures. Further Liechtenstein offers legal assistance in civil matters also for securing of foreign claims. The criminal law and criminal procedure law provides several rules on the freezing and seizure of assets in connection with a criminal offence as well as measures for forfeiture and confiscation proceeds of a crime in forfeiture and skim-off proceedings by the state and also to the benefit of a victim. Further Liechtenstein as a member of the European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and other multilateral conventions offers legal assistance to foreign countries in criminal asset recovery cases. For questions and information please contact: Dr. Matthias Niedermüller E-Mail: mn@s-law.li (published by Dr. Matthias Niedermüller, Schwärzler Attorneys at Law in Asset Recovery 2015, in 26 jurisdictions worldwide; “Getting the Deal through”, Law Business Research Ltd., 2015)
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How the organs of a company can guard against liability suits

The organs of a company are under obligation to adhere to all restrictions imposed by legislation, statutes and other requirements under company law. Decision makers in companies are frequently confronted by liability issues as a result of failure to adhere to the requirements of the far-reaching regulatory and contractual frameworks, which are not always easy to comprehend. (Article by Dr. Helmut Schwärzler, published in Wirtschaft Regional 03/2013)

Liability under Liechtenstein company law

Managing directors, administrative boards and foundation councils of Liechtenstein companies and foundations, and such foreign base companies as foundations, establishments, trusts or trust companies controlled from abroad in particular, have special duties and obligations when it comes to the conduct of business and controlling. The authors of this book, now published in a second edition, give a detailed explanation of Liechtenstein company law and the pertinent liability regulations, as well as the actual liability claim. They describe the way in which liability problems can be managed with reference to many examples from practical experience. They also explain the differences between the pertinent regulations in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. (Dr. Helmut Schwärzler and Jürgen Wagner, LL.M., Verantwortlichkeit im liechtensteinischen Gesellschaftsrecht [Liability under Liechtenstein law], 2nd edition, 2012, published by gmg-Verlag)

Freedom of opinion in the Internet

Although the Internet offers a multitude of chances and opportunities, it also harbours risks. The global exchange of information and ideas has never been easier than it is today. Online forums, blogs and visitors' books etc. offer every Internet user a means of voicing his personal opinion to an audience of millions with a single click. However, as in the real world, there are also limits in the Internet when it comes to slander or incitement. Numerous qualifications under criminal law are quickly reached as a result of the automatic publicity that occurs in the Internet and this is something that the individual Internet user is not usually aware of. Internet surveillance is one of the key phrases of recent months. Apart from many supreme court decisions, particular attention is drawn here to a recent ruling of the European Court of Justice, which is likely to call all of the decisions concerning the Internet made by the Austrian Supreme Court into question. (Dr. Dominik Schatzmann, Meinungsfreiheit im Internet [freedom of opinion in the Internet], published by Verlag Österreich)

Liability relating to unit-linked life insurance policies – what damages are covered by the insurance company?

Many customers encounter unit-linked life insurance when searching for a suitable investment vehicle for their savings. The insurance companies that offer such policies advertise various advantages associated with them, such as favourable taxation rules for payments or preferential treatment for claims arising in the event of bankruptcy. Such unit-linked life insurance policies are usually not sold by the insurance company directly, but through a network of brokers, who act on behalf of the insurance company. This leads to a situation, in which the customer only liaises with the contracted brokers and has very little contact with the insurance company itself, if any at all. In such cases, most problems occur in the event of losses determined during the assessment of the assets paid into the insurance policy, inevitably giving rise to the question of whether the policyholder is entitled to claim compensation and, if so, against whom. (Article by Dr. Matthias Niedermüller, M.B.L. HSG, published in the Liechtenstein Journal 1/2012)

Arbitration proceedings and mediation as alternatives to public jurisdiction

Courts of law as a means of resolving conflicts are usually not only time-consuming and expensive, but also give rise to emotional stress. In spite of the growing need to resolve disputes out of court, the proportion of arbitration and mediation proceedings is extremely small compared with the number of cases brought before a court of law. Although we can assume that a change will take place with respect to mediation in the context of family law issues, the proportion of industrial disputes resolved by means of mediation or arbitration is still very small. (Article by Dr. Helmut Schwärzler, published in the Liechtenstein Journal 4/2011)

Are penalties eligible for compensation under civil law?
Dismissal charges do not constitute penalties

Following the data theft that occurred at LGT Treuhand AG, many former customers are now facing proceedings under taxation law and criminal law. Many of these criminal proceedings have been dismissed without hearings or judgements, but only on payment of a dismissal charge in accordance with § 153a of the Code of Criminal Procedure (StPO). The customers are now asserting claims for these penalties, probation charges and dismissal charges against LGT Treuhand AG under civil law. The eligibility of probation and dismissal charges for compensation has been denied by Liechtenstein law courts so far, however. (Article by Dr. Matthias Niedermüller, M.B.L. HSG, published in the Liechtenstein Journal 4/2010)

International administrative cooperation in tax affairs

Even if this appeared completely impossible a few years ago, tax exchange agreements and double tax avoidance agreements have been concluded with 14 nations within just a year. The purpose of this is to be crossed off the so-called OECD black list, which requires the conclusion of a certain number of such agreements. (Article by Dr. Helmut Schwärzler and Dr. Dominik Schatzmann, published in the Liechtenstein Journal 1/2010)

Extensive application of the principle of legitimate expectations in mutual judicial assistance procedures

In spite of constantly increasing criticism of the lack of cooperation between Liechtenstein and authorities in other countries, numerous resolutions to confiscate documents or freeze assets have been adopted in mutual judicial proceedings in Liechtenstein in recent years. However, the principle of legitimate expectations to be applied in mutual judicial assistance procedures, and the principles of procedure and legal protection, frequently lead to a situation in which the basic rights of the legal and natural persons concerned may be violated over a period lasting several years. (Article by Dr. Helmut Schwärzler, published in the Liechtenstein Journal 1/2009)

Liability under Liechtenstein company law,
2nd edition, 2012, published by gmg-Verlag