3rd St.Gallen Commentary

8 September 2014. The subject matter of what is commonly simply known as the “St.Gallen Commentary” is the Swiss Federal Constitution. This basic law of the Confederation enshrines civil rights, the distribution of competencies between the Confederation and the cantons, and provides the foundation for the organisation of the state at the federal level.

Two volumes, 3,200 pages

In the Commentary, all the provisions of the Federal Constitution are discussed in depth and cross-referenced by 96 experts from academia and legal practice. The new edition also places greater emphasis on aspects of legislation and international law. However, the focus of the new edition is on the latest influences on central provisions of the Constitution, as well as the high degree of dynamism with which the Constitution has developed since the second edition of the Commentary in 2008.

Creating access to the Constitution

The St.Gallen Commentary is intended to provide people in law firms, authorities, courts and academia with access to the Federal Constitution. However, the work is also expected to trigger off a continued scientific debate about Swiss constitutional law.

Standard work of jurisdiction

The third edition of the Commentary represents the most up-to-date and comprehensive commentary on the Swiss Federal Constitution as it stands now. The Commentary has gained currency and recognition ever since its first edition in 2002 and has established itself as the standard work in the field.

On the occasion of her address at the book presentation in St.Gallen on 4 September, Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga attributed national significance to the Commentary on today’s Swiss Federal Constitution since this Commentary discusses the Constitution as the backbone of Swiss democracy in detail and in depth.