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.
Act today
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 |
Act this week
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 |
Do not let it slip
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.
First consultation
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