Latest Judgments of the Federal Court
Here you will find the latest judgments of the Federal Court (BGer) from bger.ch. For the first three judgments, we present detailed summaries with facts, considerations, and dispositions. For the other judgments, you will find a summary of the facts. The complete summaries of all judgments are available on the portal of Lexplorer. There you can configure your newsletter and receive the latest judgments tailored to your legal areas.
1C_71/2026: Inadmissibility of the appeal against the amendment of the zoning plan
Summary of the facts
The procedure concerns an appeal by A.________ and B.________, co-owners of two properties in the municipality of Torricella-Taverne, against an amendment to the zoning plan. The lower courts had partially approved the plan but overturned certain restrictions (e.g., usage and parking zoning) due to a lack of balancing of interests and insufficient reasoning, and remitted the case to the lower instance.
Summary of the considerations
- **E.1:** The Federal Court examines the admissibility of the appeal ex officio and states that the contested decision constitutes an interim order within the meaning of Art. 93 BGG, as it is a remittance to the lower court. - **E.1.5:** The remittance does not involve a final ruling, and no irreparable disadvantage is demonstrated that would justify the admissibility of the appeal. There is also no particularly burdensome presentation of evidence. - **E.1.6:** The Federal Court confirms that the extension of the duration of the procedure or additional costs do not constitute irreparable harm within the meaning of Art. 93 para. 1 lit. a BGG.
Summary of the disposition
The appeal is declared inadmissible, and the court costs are imposed on the appellants.
9C_512/2024: Claim for invalidity pension due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Summary of the facts
A.________, born in 1992, applied in 2017 for benefits from the disability insurance due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). After medical investigations, the IV office of Thurgau denied the entitlement to benefits. The administrative court of the canton of Thurgau initially referred the case back to the IV office for further investigations. After another negative decision from the IV office, the administrative court ultimately dismissed the appeal, which the appellant challenged before the Federal Court.
Summary of the considerations
- E.1: Reference is made to the subject matter of the proceedings and the legal examination bases under the BGG. Findings regarding health status and work capacity are generally considered questions of fact. - E.2: The lower court correctly presented the relevant legal bases, particularly regarding the assessment of invalidity. - E.3: The lower court took into account the report from the ABI, according to which no work-capacity-relevant diagnoses were established. - E.4: The medical findings of the ABI report were examined with reference to the statements of the lower court. The Federal Court criticizes the lower court's reference to the ABI report, as it did not sufficiently appreciate the specific diagnostic requirements for CFS. - E.5: The ruling agrees that a psychological and psychosomatic examination is necessary. An inpatient treatment was recommended to better clarify work capacity. Accordingly, the case should be referred back to the IV office for further clarification of the facts. - E.6: The costs are imposed on the losing party according to the legal provisions.
Summary of the disposition
The appeal was granted, the judgment of the administrative court and the decision of the IV office were overturned, with the matter referred back to the IV office for re-examination, and costs were imposed.
7B_1323/2025: Decision regarding the granting of official defense in a criminal proceeding
Summary of the facts
A.________ was convicted by a penal order from the public prosecutor's office of Lucerne and subsequently by the district court of Willisau for various offenses and was sentenced to a conditional fine and a penalty. Before the High Court of the canton of Lucerne, he requested the granting of official defense, which was denied. With a complaint to the Federal Court, A.________ requested the annulment of the cantonal decision and the granting of official defense.
Summary of the considerations
- **E.1:** The appeal is admissible, as it concerns a final interim decision that may cause an irreparable disadvantage, provided that the requirements of Art. 132 StPO are examined. - **E.2.1 to E.2.2:** According to Art. 132 StPO, official defense is warranted when the necessary means are lacking, and the case cannot be classified as trivial. The criteria under Art. 132 para. 3 StPO were examined by the lower court, which assumed a trivial case. - **E.2.3:** The appellant does not sufficiently meet the requirements for the justification of the appeal, as he frequently only presents appellate criticism and does not engage with the reasoning of the lower court. - **E.2.4:** The further submissions of the appellant regarding the threat of expulsion, international disputes, and language barriers are insufficiently justified and were correctly assessed by the lower court. - **E.2.5:** No violation of the right to be heard is present, as the reasoning of the lower court follows clear arguments.
Summary of the disposition
The appeal and the request for free legal aid were rejected. Furthermore, court costs were imposed.
1C_90/2026: Failure to consider the appeal
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________, owner of a property in Gambarogno, applied for a building permit to replace existing walkways with new platforms made of steel and concrete. The neighbors C.________ and D.________ raised objections. The building application was rejected by the municipal council and the state council of the canton of Ticino, as well as the subsequently filed complaint before the administrative court of the canton of Ticino.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_678/2024: Inadmissibility of the appeal for restoration of the deadline
Summary of the facts
A.________ was denied the requested benefit by the cantonal office for invalidity insurance. Consequently, the Cantonal Court of Vaud declared A.________'s appeal inadmissible due to unpaid advance costs after A.________ had not presented sufficient reasons for a restoration of the deadline.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
5A_75/2026: Return of the children to Mexico
Summary of the facts
A.________ (Swiss) and B.________ (Italian) disputed the return of their joint children C.________ (born 2012) and D.________ (born 2015) to Mexico according to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (CArap). The mother had moved to Switzerland with the children from Mexico without the father's consent. The lower instance, the Camera di protezione of the Court of Appeal of the canton of Ticino, ordered the return of the children to Mexico in application of the CArap.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_48/2026: Judgment regarding the change of official defense and recusal
Summary of the facts
The appellant (A.________) filed a complaint against a decision of the Cantonal Court of Lucerne regarding official defense and recusal. The Federal Court required the appellant to pay an advance on costs, which he failed to do despite multiple requests.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
4A_639/2025: Withdrawal of an appeal in connection with a decision of the Cantonal Court of Valais
Summary of the facts
The appellant (A.________ Sàrl) appealed against the decision of the Cantonal Court of Valais (Civil Chamber) of November 10, 2025. At the same time, she requested the granting of suspensive effect. Deadlines for the payment of advance costs were set and extended multiple times, and the respondent was granted a deadline to comment. With a submission dated February 10, 2026, the appellant withdrew the appeal.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
5A_980/2025: Judgment regarding the enforcement of visitation rights and handling of super-provisional changes
Summary of the facts
The appellant (father) requests the enforcement of a visitation right that was originally regulated in the judgment of the President of the District Court of Bucheggberg-Wasseramt dated April 18, 2024. The KESB changed this visitation right on April 10, 2025, with a super-provisional order. The High Court of the canton of Solothurn partially overturned the judgment of the President of the District Court and declared the original visitation right no longer enforceable, prompting the appellant to file a complaint with the Federal Court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
2C_456/2025: Dismissal of the proceedings regarding the non-renewal of the residence permit due to lack of subject matter
Summary of the facts
A.________, who is from Uganda, received a residence permit in 2021 after registering a partnership with a Hungarian citizen. After the couple's separation, the permit was not renewed in October 2024, as no further claims for permits existed. A.________ filed an appeal and claimed that he was at risk in Uganda due to his sexual orientation. During the proceedings, he married an Italian citizen in October 2025 and subsequently received a residence permit EU/EFTA. Therefore, the appeal proceedings became moot.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
6B_226/2023: Judgment concerning an unauthorized climate demonstration
Summary of the facts
The appellant, A.________, participated in an unauthorized climate demonstration on the Quaibrücke in Zurich on June 20, 2020, attended by around 350 people. The publicly tolerated gathering disrupted public and private traffic, which was exacerbated by tactical sit-ins by the activists. A.________ waved flags and was partially on the roadway, but not in the center of the sit-in. The district court and later the High Court of Zurich convicted him of coercion (Art. 181 StGB) and disruption of operations serving the public (Art. 239 para. 1 StGB). He appealed to the Federal Court against this.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
5A_27/2026: Judgment regarding enforcement (release of documents)
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________ filed a complaint against a judgment of the High Court of the canton of Zurich in civil matters, which arose in connection with the enforcement of a judgment of the District Court of Hinwil from 2024. The dispute concerned the release of documents, particularly broker offers, under the threat of an administrative fine, as well as the obligation of certain third parties to release documents. Before the Federal Court, the appellant could not fulfill the required process prerequisites, particularly as he did not pay the advance costs.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_718/2025: Judgment concerning health insurance
Summary of the facts
The appellant, A.________, was health insured with Sansan Versicherungen AG since 2016, which later became Helsana Versicherungen AG through mergers. The Helsana Versicherungen AG demanded outstanding premiums, contributions, interest, reminder, and collection costs from the appellant. The cantonal insurance court of St. Gallen slightly reduced the claim and obliged the appellant to pay. With the appeal in public law matters to the Federal Court, A.________ raised, among other things, the accusation of fictitious collections and requested the annulment of the corresponding obligation as well as a refund.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_672/2025: Decision of the Federal Court 9C_672/2025
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________ filed a complaint on November 29, 2025, against a decision of the Cantonal Court of Vaud, Cour des assurances sociales, dated October 27, 2025. On February 20, 2026, she withdrew this complaint.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
8C_19/2026: Supplementary benefits for AHV/IV
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________, a recipient of supplementary benefits for old-age pension, disputed with the compensation office of Freiburg over the adjustment of her benefits for the years 2024 and 2025. In particular, the consideration of housing costs was disputed. The cantonal instance reduced the supplementary benefits in accordance with the legal maximum amounts and the division of housing costs in the shared household with her daughter.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_574/2025: Judgment regarding health insurance
Summary of the facts
The Federal Court had to decide on a complaint from A.________ against a judgment of the Cantonal Court of Basel-Landschaft, Department of Social Insurance Law, dated August 20, 2025. During the proceedings, the appellant was repeatedly asked to pay an advance on costs. This request went unanswered even after the extension of the deadline.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
4A_57/2026: Inadmissibility of the appeal due to insufficient justification
Summary of the facts
The Federal Court had to evaluate a complaint from A.________ and B.________ against a judgment of the Cour d'appel civile of the Cantonal Court of Vaud dated November 28, 2025. The subject of the proceedings was the allegedly insufficient justification of the lower court's decision, which was based on work contracts and refundable fees. The lower court had partially amended the original decision by dismissing a claim from D.________S.A. and adjusting the cost distribution.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_1406/2025: Failure to consider the appeal
Summary of the facts
A.________ filed a complaint on December 22, 2025, with the Federal Court against a non-consideration order from the President of the Authority for Appeals in Criminal Matters of the Cantonal Court of Neuchâtel. This decision concerned a non-admission order issued by the public prosecutor of the canton of Neuchâtel on October 30, 2025.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
1C_561/2024: Decision on the approval of a water use concession
Summary of the facts
The Federal Court dealt with a complaint from WWF Switzerland and WWF Valais, which opposed the approval of a water use concession and the construction of a hydropower plant on the Haute Vièze by the municipality of Champéry. The complainants argued that the project violated provisions of environmental and spatial planning law, affected biotopes and biodiversity, and contradicted provisions for residual water quantities.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
6B_1491/2022: Judgment concerning coercion and disruption of operations serving the public in the context of an unauthorized demonstration
Summary of the facts
A participant of an unauthorized climate demonstration by the group "Extinction Rebellion" in June 2020 was prosecuted for coercion (Art. 181 StGB) and disruption of operations serving the public (Art. 239 para. 1 StGB). The demonstration blocked the Quaibrücke in Zurich, significantly disrupting both individual and tram traffic. The appellant denied the charges and invoked, among other things, her freedom of expression and assembly.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
1C_98/2026: Inadmissibility of the appeal against the release of an interrogation protocol
Summary of the facts
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine conducted a criminal proceeding and requested international legal assistance from Switzerland. The appellant, A.________, was questioned as a witness but exercised his right to refuse to testify. The competent Swiss Federal Criminal Court dismissed a complaint by A.________ against the release of the corresponding interrogation protocol to the Ukrainian authorities. Before the Federal Court, the appellant requested the refusal of the release of the protocol or alternatively a summarized information.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_1203/2025: Inadmissibility of the appeal against the expulsion
Summary of the facts
The appellant, a Nigerian citizen, was convicted for serious violations of the Narcotics Act and the Foreigners and Integration Act and expelled from Switzerland for 20 years. His repeated requests for postponement of the mandatory expulsion were rejected by the authorities. The last decision of the lower court was challenged, with the appellant claiming that he faced persecution and danger to his life in Nigeria if expelled.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_27/2025: Approval of the claim for an invalidity pension from occupational pension plans
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________, former employee of B.________ SA, applied for benefits from occupational pension schemes starting in 2009. Her invalidity pension according to IVG was granted from 2019. She claimed entitlements from 2016 from the occupational pension funds. The lower court dismissed the claim. The dispute concerns the start of the claim for an invalidity pension from the extended occupational pension as well as an additional pension for the child.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
5A_156/2026: Decision regarding visitation rights and free legal aid
Summary of the facts
The appellant is the mother of a child who is under her care. The family court of Rheinfelden granted the father of the child an unsupervised visitation right and instructed the appellant to enable this. An appeal filed by the appellant against this was dismissed by the High Court of the canton of Aargau. In her appeal to the Federal Court, the appellant argued that the well-being of the child was at risk and that her arguments were not sufficiently considered by the lower court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_699/2025: Tax waiver for direct federal tax, tax period 2009
Summary of the facts
The taxpayers requested the waiver of the owed direct federal tax for the tax period 2009. The lower court dismissed the waiver request on the grounds that neither an emergency situation nor a "great hardship" within the meaning of Art. 167 para. 1 DBG existed. The taxpayers' net assets remained substantial, and the considerations submitted did not justify a tax waiver.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_1052/2024: Decision on the modalities of asset seizure
Summary of the facts
In the context of a criminal investigation against B.________, various assets of B.________ and A.________ AG were seized. A.________ AG subsequently requested in the appeal proceedings, among other things, that the seized assets be secured, preserved in value, and income-generating, e.g., with the Federal Financial Administration or a savings account. Additionally, it requested the commissioning of a private asset manager. The appeal chamber of the Federal Criminal Court rejected these requests. A.________ AG filed a complaint with the Federal Court against this.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
2F_31/2025: Revision of a federal court judgment regarding state liability and recusal requests
Summary of the facts
The applicant requested in the revision application the annulment of the Federal Court judgment of September 16, 2025 (2C_551/2024), with which the Federal Court had dismissed a complaint against the rejection of her state liability claim by the Administrative Court of the Canton of Bern. She alleged procedural defects, including bias in the composition of the decision-making body. She also requested access to internal procedural documents of the Federal Court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
1C_488/2025: none
Summary of the facts
none
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
8C_632/2025: Failure to consider the appeal due to inadmissibility
Summary of the facts
The cantonal compensation office demanded from A.________ the repayment of incorrectly received supplementary benefits, premium reductions, and medical costs amounting to CHF 182,582.45. The reason was undeclared assets from a property sale in Italy. The cantonal insurance court reduced the repayment period and referred the case back to the compensation office to clarify possible further violations and the amount to be repaid.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
8C_25/2026: Inadmissibility of the appeal
Summary of the facts
A.A. and B.A. filed a complaint with the Federal Court against a decision of the administrative chamber of the Cour de justice de la République et canton de Genève dated October 28, 2025. This had declared their complaint against a decision of the Hospice général as inadmissible. The complaint to the Federal Court was filed on December 19, 2025, and January 14, 2026.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
4A_103/2026: Failure to consider an appeal related to a tenancy and free legal aid
Summary of the facts
A.________ challenged the termination of a tenancy and requested an extension as an alternative. At the same time, he submitted a request for free legal aid, which was rejected by the Cantonal Court of Schaffhausen due to lack of prospects of success. After his appeal was dismissed by the High Court of Schaffhausen and the Federal Court in 2025, the claim was not addressed by the Cantonal Court due to lack of advance payment. The High Court also did not consider his appeal as he did not pay any advances. Ultimately, A.________ filed a complaint against this decision of the High Court with the Federal Court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
1C_473/2025: Termination during the probation period in public law employment
Summary of the facts
A French citizen was hired by the city of Geneva for a position as financial and investment manager in the Department of Urban Planning and Construction (DACM). During the two-year probation period, his public law employment contract was terminated due to alleged deficiencies in the recruitment process and lack of transparency on his part. The lower court (Administrative Chamber of the Canton of Geneva) found that the right to be heard of the appellant was violated and awarded him compensation of three months' salary.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_32/2026: Inadmissibility of a recusal request and rejected denial of rights
Summary of the facts
The appellant A.________ filed a complaint against the decision of the High Court of the Canton of Aargau, which dealt with the rejection of a recusal request and a claimed denial of rights. The subject of the dispute was the requested recusal of a district judge, who had already been granted recusal, and a new recusal request against the president of the district court of Muri.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
6B_1496/2022: Judgment regarding criminal liability in connection with climate demonstrations
Summary of the facts
The appellant was convicted for her participation in an unauthorized climate demonstration on June 20, 2020, on the Quaibrücke in Zurich by the District Court of Zurich and later by the High Court of Zurich. The aim of the demonstration was to block traffic on the bridge. The appellant acted as a "peacekeeper" and documented the event but remained actively on the roadways and tram tracks, leading to police intervention. She requested an acquittal before the Federal Court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
8C_186/2025: Inadmissibility of the appeal due to late submission
Summary of the facts
The appellant injured her right shoulder on January 23, 2024, due to pulling her dogs on a leash. The Swiss Accident Insurance Institute (Suva) refused any benefits on August 27, 2024, after a decision on objection on October 4, 2024, as the complaints could not be attributed to an accident or an accident-like bodily injury. The cantonal court declared the appeal filed by the appellant against this decision on February 17, 2025, inadmissible due to late submission.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
9C_17/2026: Taxation of granted loans and tax evasion in connection with tax-relevant benefits in monetary value
Summary of the facts
The appellants, residing in the canton of Geneva, disputed with the tax administration of the canton of Geneva regarding the tax qualification of a loan granted in 2013 from a company to its shareholder (appellant). This loan was classified by the administration as a simulated loan and thus as a taxable monetary benefit. The related tax bills for the years 2013, 2015, and 2016, as well as tax penalties, were challenged.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
4D_25/2026: Inadmissibility of the appeal against the decision of the definitive enforcement
Summary of the facts
The District Court of Meilen granted the city of Zurich partial definitive enforcement in a debt collection case. An appeal against this decision was not addressed by the High Court of the canton of Zurich. The appellant subsequently filed a complaint with the Federal Court.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.
7B_1264/2025: Unsealing of documents and data carriers after a house search
Summary of the facts
The Public Prosecutor's Office of the canton of St. Gallen conducted a criminal investigation due to the violation of manufacturing and trade secrets as well as violations of the UWG and seized documents and electronic data during a house search. The affected parties requested their sealing, while the Public Prosecutor's Office applied for unsealing. The Cantonal Court for Coercive Measures decided partly on the unsealing and partly on the continuation of the sealing. The complainants (A.________ and three involved companies) appealed to the Federal Court to permanently prevent the unsealing.
You can find the complete summary of the judgment in the portal.