Who We Serve
We structure and administer Swiss-law escrow arrangements for parties requiring a neutral and independent intermediary.
M&A Transaction Parties
Buyers, sellers, and their advisors requiring purchase price escrow, earn-out holdbacks, and warranty & indemnity reserves for corporate acquisitions. We structure escrow accounts under Art. 394 ff. CO (mandate law) with clear release conditions tied to closing milestones
Cross-Border Commercial Parties
International parties requiring a neutral Swiss jurisdiction for high-value commercial transactions, including IP licence transfers, real estate closings, and supply chain payments. Swiss escrow offers political neutrality, legal stability, and enforceability under the Lugano Convention.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Parties
Parties to arbitration proceedings, court-ordered settlements, and mediation agreements requiring secure holding of settlement funds. We administer escrow accounts in compliance with Swiss arbitration law (PILA Chapter 12) and cantonal civil procedure rules.
What We Do
Comprehensive escrow structuring, documentation, and administration under Swiss law.
Escrow Agreement Drafting
Bespoke escrow agreements under Swiss law (Art. 394 ff. CO), including precise release conditions, dispute resolution mechanisms, and multi-party structures for complex transactions.
Segregated Attorney Escrow Accounts
Segregated client accounts held by Swiss-licensed attorneys, protected by professional secrecy under Art. 13 BGFA and Art. 321 StGB, with full audit trails and regulatory compliance under AMLA.
Multi-Currency & Digital Asset Escrow
Escrow structures supporting CHF, EUR, USD, and digital assets, including DLT securities (Art. 973d CO) and cryptocurrency custody with qualified Swiss custodians.
M&A Purchase Price Escrow
Structuring purchase price holdbacks, earn-out escrows, and warranty reserves with clear milestone-based release triggers aligned to SPA terms.
IP & Technology Transfer Escrow
Source code escrow, patent assignment holdbacks, and technology transfer payment structures ensuring both parties' interests are protected through verified delivery.
Settlement & Arbitration Escrow
Administration of settlement funds for litigation and arbitration, including ICC, LCIA, and Swiss Rules arbitrations seated in Switzerland.
Why Switzerland
Switzerland is the world's most trusted jurisdiction for neutral, secure transaction intermediation.
Political Neutrality & Legal Stability
Switzerland's centuries-long tradition of political neutrality makes it the preferred jurisdiction when transaction parties are from different countries or geopolitical spheres. Swiss contract law under the Code of Obligations (OR) provides a stable, predictable framework with over 100 years of consistent jurisprudence on deposit and mandate obligations.
Robust Banking Infrastructure
Swiss banks offer segregated escrow accounts with institutional-grade security, multi-currency support, and compliance with Swiss AML standards and depositor protection under the esisuisse scheme (up to CHF 100,000 per depositor and per bank).
Attorney Professional Secrecy
Swiss attorneys are bound by professional secrecy under Art. 13 of the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers (BGFA) and Art. 321 StGB (criminal law). Breach of attorney-client privilege is a criminal offence, providing one of the highest levels of statutory confidentiality protection available for escrow arrangements.
International Enforceability
Swiss escrow agreements benefit from enforcement under the Lugano Convention (for EU/EFTA states), the New York Convention on arbitral awards, and Switzerland's extensive network of bilateral treaties. Swiss court judgments and arbitral awards are recognised and enforceable in a wide range of major commercial jurisdictions.
Why Allegra LAW
What sets us apart in Swiss escrow and transaction security services.
Licensed Swiss Attorneys
Escrow arrangements administered by Swiss-qualified attorneys subject to BGFA professional secrecy and strict segregation of client assets.
Transaction Structuring Expertise
Deep experience in M&A, capital markets and cross-border transactions ensures escrow structures align precisely with underlying contractual obligations.
Digital Asset Capability
Capability to structure escrow for digital assets and DLT securities under Swiss law.
Neutral Administration
As independent counsel, we act solely as neutral escrow agent, without institutional conflicts of interest.
Rapid & Reliable Setup
Escrow structures can be established promptly once documentation and AML requirements are satisfied.
Transparent Fee Structure
Clear, fixed-fee or transaction-based pricing agreed upfront.
Your Escrow Journey in 4 Steps
From initial structuring to final release, we guide you through every phase of your Swiss escrow arrangement.
1
Transaction Assessment & Structuring
We analyse your transaction, identify the optimal escrow structure, determine applicable Swiss law provisions, and advise on release conditions and dispute mechanisms.
2
Agreement Drafting & Account Setup
We draft the escrow agreement, negotiate terms with all parties, and establish the segregated attorney escrow account with a Swiss-regulated banking institution.
3
Funding & Active Administration
We receive and verify incoming funds, maintain segregated custody, provide regular status reporting, and manage any interim queries or condition verifications.
4
Condition Verification & Release
Upon satisfaction of release conditions, we verify compliance, execute fund transfers, and provide final accounting documentation to all parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about escrow and transaction security in Switzerland.
What is an attorney escrow account under Swiss law?
An attorney escrow account is a segregated bank account held by a licensed Swiss attorney under a mandate agreement (Art. 394 ff. CO). The attorney acts as an independent, neutral intermediary, holding funds or assets on behalf of the transaction parties and releasing them only upon satisfaction of agreed conditions. Unlike bank-administered escrow, attorney escrow benefits from professional secrecy protection under Art. 13 BGFA and Art. 321 StGB. Allegra LAW's attorney escrow accounts are held at major Swiss banks with full segregation from firm operating funds, providing maximum security and transparency for all parties.
Are escrow funds protected if the escrow agent becomes insolvent?
Yes. Swiss law provides strong protections. Funds held in segregated attorney escrow accounts are not part of the attorney's personal or firm estate. Under Swiss bankruptcy law (SchKG), properly segregated client funds are excluded from the bankruptcy estate (Aussonderung). Additionally, the Swiss depositor protection scheme (esisuisse) protects deposits up to CHF 100,000 per depositor at each bank. For larger amounts, Allegra LAW can structure multi-bank arrangements or use fiduciary deposits to maximise protection — our experience in transaction structuring ensures your funds remain secure regardless of circumstances.
Can digital assets be held in escrow in Switzerland?
Yes. Since the DLT Act came into force in 2021, Switzerland has a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets. DLT securities (Registerwertrechte under Art. 973d CO) can be held in escrow with full legal certainty. Cryptocurrencies and tokens can also be custodied through qualified Swiss custodians. The Banking Act's segregation provisions (Art. 16 para. 1bis BankG) specifically protect crypto-assets in custody in the event of custodian bankruptcy. Allegra LAW combines blockchain expertise with traditional escrow structuring to support digital asset custody arrangements.
How long does it take to set up a Swiss escrow arrangement?
Allegra LAW provides a standard escrow arrangement can typically be established within a few business days once documentation and AML requirements are satisfied. Urgent arrangements may be expedited where feasible.
What happens if there is a dispute about escrow release conditions?
Every Allegra LAW escrow agreement includes a clear dispute resolution mechanism. Typically, we include a tiered process: first, a determination by the escrow agent based on documentary evidence; second, expedited mediation; and third, binding arbitration (usually under Swiss Rules of International Arbitration or ICC Rules). During any dispute, the escrow funds remain frozen in the segregated account until resolution. As a neutral escrow agent, Allegra LAW does not take sides — our role is to administer the escrow faithfully and ensure that release occurs only when the agreed conditions are objectively satisfied.