yves-donzallaz - Swisstamil

Federal Court Judge Says Affair Was Not Illegal.

Swiss Federal Court judge Yves Donzallaz has publicly defended his past relationship with fellow judge Beatrice van de Graaf, stating that while the affair may have been inappropriate, it was not illegal under Swiss law.

In an interview with the Tamedia newspaper group, Donzallaz explained that the relationship, which lasted for nearly a year, never violated legal requirements governing members of Switzerland’s highest court. According to him, the relationship ended around Easter 2026 and never developed into a shared long-term living arrangement.

The controversy centers on provisions within the Federal Court Act that prohibit judges who are in a long-term cohabitation from serving on the same judicial panels. Donzallaz argued that the legal definition of cohabitation did not apply in their case because they did not share a residence or maintain a common household.

The judge stated that he and van de Graaf spent limited time together and never worked on the same judicial panel during their relationship. As a result, he believes there was no conflict of interest and no legal obligation to disclose the relationship.

The matter gained public attention after media reports revealed the relationship in April. In response, federal judges held an extraordinary meeting in May and concluded that romantic relationships between sitting members of the Federal Court are inconsistent with the court’s professional customs and ethical expectations.

An independent panel of experts is currently examining questions related to judicial independence and governance within Switzerland’s highest court. The panel is expected to submit its findings to the court’s Administrative Commission by the end of June.

Despite the controversy, Donzallaz has confirmed his intention to seek another term on the Federal Court for the 2027–2032 period. He maintains that he acted within the law and believes he has committed no wrongdoing. However, due to age limits, he would leave office in 2029 if re-elected.

The case has sparked a wider national debate about judicial transparency, ethics, and the balance between private life and public responsibility within Switzerland’s legal system.

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Swiss Federal Judges Face Pressure Over Affair.

Pressure is mounting on Switzerland’s Federal Court after allegations emerged that two senior judges concealed a romantic relationship. The controversy has triggered calls for resignation and raised concerns about judicial independence and institutional integrity.

Former Federal Court president Ulrich Meyer has publicly urged judges Yves Donzallaz and Beatrice van de Graaf to step down or at least not seek re-election in September 2026. Speaking to CH Media, Meyer said the situation has pushed the Federal Court into what he described as an “institutional crisis”.

Swiss law prohibits long-term cohabitation between members of the Federal Court, a rule designed to protect neutrality and prevent conflicts of interest. Critics argue that failing to disclose such a relationship undermines public trust in the judiciary.

Meyer also criticised the court’s Administrative Commission, which oversees the Federal Court under the leadership of François Chaix. He argued that the body cannot avoid responsibility, regardless of whether it was aware of the relationship, and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

According to Meyer, even private relationships between judges can raise serious questions about judicial independence and must be subject to scrutiny to ensure transparency and fairness in court decisions.

The controversy has also revived attention on Meyer’s own past conduct. He previously faced criticism in 2020 for inappropriate remarks about a judge at the Federal Criminal Court, which he later admitted was a mistake.

He also clarified details about a past relationship with a court clerk at the former Federal Insurance Court in Lucerne, stating that he had fully disclosed it to colleagues and maintained transparency throughout.

As debate continues, the case has intensified scrutiny of ethical standards within Switzerland’s highest court, with growing pressure for clearer rules and stronger oversight mechanisms to protect judicial credibility.