Swiss Code of Obligations (CO)

The words “Swiss Code of Obligations” generally refers to the Federal Act of 30 March 1911 on the Amendment of the Swiss Civil Code (Part Five: Code of Obligations), which is abbreviated to CO. In addition to more general provisions, the CO contains specific provisions on various contractual relationships. The apprenticeship contract is governed by Art. 344 et seq. If necessary, Art. 319 et seq concerning the individual employment contract may also be applied to apprenticeship contracts.

As the provisions of the CO concerning apprenticeship contracts or individual employment contracts are private law provisions, civil proceedings may be brought in relation thereto. Public law provisions also have a strong influence over apprenticeship contracts, and compliance with such provisions must in principle be officially checked by the competent authorities, especially those concerning vocational education and training and workers’ protection