In the Liechtenstein legal system in civil and criminal matters, judicial powers are vested in and exercised by the courts in Vaduz. Questions of fact and law are generally decided by a judge.
Voluntary arbitral proceedings as a method of alternative dispute resolution are becoming more and more popular, specifically in family law cases but also in business law disputes.
Court litigation
Actions
Actions will only be successful as long as the claim has not become statute barred. The time limits vary from one year up to 40 years, though the most frequent time limits are three and five years.
The following courts exercise jurisdiction in civil matters:
- First instance, District Court (Landgericht).
- Second instance, Superior Court (Obergericht).
- Final instance, Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof).
A single judge conducts proceedings before the district court. Superior Court and Supreme Court sit as a panel of five judges.
Additionally, Liechtenstein law offers access...