ROLE

Article 3 of the Federal Law of 28^th September 2018 on the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law (LISDC; RS425.1) places two main duties on the SICL:

• to provide access to foreign law, in particular with the help of:
  • information, legal opinions and studies
  • a specialised library and a centre of documentation in the fields of foreign and international law.
• to lead scientific research in international and comparative law, to support and coordinate research projects in these areas in Swiss universities and to offer a centre of research to researchers.

Above all, it offers services to Swiss authorities and to an academic public, but equally to lawyers and notaries, businesses and individuals.

STRATEGY 2020-2023

On 19th June 2020, the Federal Council fixed the strategic objectives of the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law (SICL) for the years 2020 to 2023.

These objectives are intended to consolidate the reputation of the Institute both in Switzerland and at the international level, to ensure that it continues to be recognised as a scientific pole of excellence for research and documentation in the fields of comparative, international and foreign law. It is intended by the Federal Council that the public, and in particular, the legislative bodies of the Confederation continue to benefit from the excellent services of the Institute, which should offer, thanks in particular to its library, an attractive environment to Swiss researchers and beyond.

The Federal Council expects of the institute that, in its specific legal areas, it will ensure in particular:
1. a high level of quality in its advice, legal opinions and research;
2. the development of its research activities and the encouragement of its staff to submit project proposals to bodies which support research, notably the Swiss National Science Foundation;
3. the exploration and deepening of its collaboration with universities, other research institutions and other partners in Switzerland and abroad;
4. that it supports students and Swiss and foreign researchers in their work;
5. the promotion of its publications and other services, in particular those of the library.