Liechtenstein

Legal tradition

Liechtenstein belongs to the civil law tradition. A microstate whose law is a deliberate hybrid: private law follows the Austrian ABGB, company and financial law draws on Swiss models, and EEA membership imports the bulk of EU single-market law. Uniquely in Europe, the Prince retains real and exercisable political power alongside strong instruments of direct democracy. A customs and currency union with Switzerland means the Swiss franc is legal tender.

How power is divided

A unitary state of eleven communes, which retain a constitutional right of secession. Power is shared between the Prince, the Landtag and the electorate: 1,000 citizens can demand a referendum on a law and 1,500 can initiate a constitutional amendment. EEA membership adds a supranational layer supervised by the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the EFTA Court.

Where law comes from

Constitution

The 1921 text as revised in 2003; power is shared between Prince and people.

EEA law

Single-market law applies through the EEA Agreement; Liechtenstein is not an EU member.

Statutes (Gesetze)

Passed by the Landtag, sanctioned by the Prince and subject to referendum.

Received codes

Private law follows the Austrian ABGB; commercial and financial law follows Swiss models.

Ordinances

Verordnungen of the Government, reviewable by the Staatsgerichtshof.

Treaties with Switzerland

Customs union and currency union; Swiss law applies in defined areas.

The legal profession

Rechtsanwälte are admitted by the Liechtenstein Bar Association after a law degree, a supervised traineeship and the bar examination; qualifications from Austria and Switzerland are widely recognised. Trustees (Treuhänder) are a distinct and significant regulated profession given the importance of foundations and asset structures.