news - archives 2012

The head of our tax practice group, partner Dominique Christin, summarises the legal requirements to obtain a lump sum taxation status in Switzerland and in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. Swiss Lump Sum Taxation. Lump Sum Taxation - Geneva. Lump Sum Taxation - Vaud.

In Le Temps, the daily newspaper of reference of Western Switzerland, Yves de Coulon analyses the latest developments in the field of planning and zoning: Weber Initiative, Landscape Initiative, recent modifications of the Federal Law on planning and zoning, what consequences on the cantons' autonomy in the area of planning and zoning? Click here to read the article (in French)

The 13th Demi-journée Marathon de formation permanente de l'ODA is a program of continuous education sponsored by the Geneva Bar. It will take place on Saturday, 28 April 2012 at the Geneva University (Uni Mail). Manuel Bianchi della Porta will discuss the latest developments In media law. For more details.

Dominique Christin comments in the Agefi on a recent decision of the Federal Tribunal regarding allowances paid to employees by employers' foundations and the tax and AVS consequences thereof. Read the article.

BCCC is among the leading law firms in Geneva according to Legal500 Europe 2012. BCCC's work is moreover praised in 11 different practice areas. Each of BCCC's partners is mentioned at least once. We peak in Banking and Finance where we moved from Band 3 to Band 2 with clients saying that "BCCC Attorneys-at-law LLC demonstrates 'excellent' understanding of clients' needs and is a 'triple-A' firm". For more details.

We are pleased to announce that on 3 April 2012 Jean-Marc Carnicé, Vice-Chairman of the Geneva Bar Association and co-founding partner of BCCC, was elected to the Board of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

BCCC is proud to announce that one of its founding partners, Jean-Marc Carnicé, has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the Geneva Bar during the Ordinary General Meeting held on Friday 30 March 2012. His appointment is the result of his work and dedication within the Bar Executive Committee over the past 4 years. It is also a recognition of our firm's success since its creation in 2001.

In L'Agefi, one of the authoritative financial newspapers in Western Switzerland, as well as in Wealth Gram, the monthly publication of the Groupement Suisse des Conseils en Gestion Indépendants (GSCGI), which is addressed to approximately 18'000 professionals from more than 50 jurisdictions, Thomas Goossens analyses the latest publications of the Swiss Financial Supervisory Authority emphasizing the requirements applicable to investment fund managers and suggesting to the industry to anticipate the forthcoming legal changes related to the implementation of the AIFM directive. Article in L'Agefi. Article in Wealth Gram.

The Young Bar Association of Geneva will host an in-depth seminar on Saturday 24 March 2012, at the Château of Divonne. The seminar targets young lawyers willing to set up their own independent firm. Manuel Bianchi della Porta, managing partner of BCCC, will give some insights on how to market a law firm and will host a discussion panel on the various types of partnerships available to lawyers. For further information.

Jean-Baptiste Emery and Thierry Amy assess for L'AGEFI a specific aspect of the counterparty risk for over-the-counter derivatives transactions concluded under a master agreement, such as the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement (ISDA). The credit risk is mainly monitored by the so-called close-out netting provision which allows terminating all outstanding transactions between the parties. Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy highlighted nonetheless the private and systemic weaknesses of such provision. Read the article (in French).

The 23rd edition of MIPIM (the international real estate show for professionals) was held in Cannes from 6th to 9th of March 2012. BCCC attended MIPIM and was represented by Yves de Coulon and Mathieu Simona. The Lake Geneva Region is particularly active at MIPIM hosting all major real estate actors of the region as well as international investors thus connecting professionals and reinforcing business ties.

BCCC presents its new logo and the new content of its "practice areas" page now displaying for each area of expertise a downloadable brochure.

BCCC has the great pleasure to announce two new partners, Stéphanie Fuld and Thomas Goossens, as of January 1st, 2012:

Stéphanie was admitted to the Geneva Bar in 1997 and is a Certified FSA Expert in labour law. Prior to joining BCCC in 2008, she worked for private and public companies as well as reputable law firms. Stéphanie is an expert in labour law and related fields such as immigration law and social insurances providing both legal advice and judicial and administrative representation of clients. She lectures on labor law for HES on a regular basis. She is repeatedly distinguished by Chambers. Being multilingual, Stéphanie works equally in French, English and German. She heads our Employment team.

Thomas was admitted to the Geneva Bar in 2001. He graduated from the University of Fribourg in 1998 and earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Commercial and Corporate Law from King's College London in 2005. Before joining BCCC in 2005, he worked several years for first class law firms both in Geneva and Zurich. Thomas is an expert in banking and finance, investment funds, commodities trading and corporate law providing both legal advice and judicial representation of clients. Thomas has been recommended for his expertise in banking and finance matters by the legal guide Legal500 Europe 2011. He co-heads our banking & finance practice group in Geneva.

Michel has decided to leave BCCC to set-up his own law firm. In agreement with the Partners, he will leave the firm during the first semester of 2012. We thank him for his commitment to BCCC and wish him the best for his future endeavors.