Debt enforcement and bankruptcy laws (SchKG) allow individuals to legally recover a debt. If a payment is due and not settled, one can, in Switzerland, immediately legally enforce the debt through prosecution.
It is usual to send out two or three warning letters before enforcing the debt.
The debt of individuals is enforced via the seizure of assets, whereas debts of companies registered in the commercial registry are enforced via bankruptcy.
After the request for debt collection, from the local debt enforcement office of the debtor, a payment summons is issued. The debtor’s options are either immediate payment, ignoring the demand or presenting a legal objection. Depending on the debtor’s actions different steps may be taken, such as a continuation demand or setting aside of the objections.