Forty judges share thirty-eight full-time equivalents at the Zurich Obergericht. That’s a lot of legal minds. This impressive building before us is the Obergericht the highest cantonal court in Zurich. Its history stretches back much further than you might think.
The Obergericht wasn’t always here on Hirschengraben. It began its life much more humbly. In 1803 a mediation constitution established an appeals court. This court consisted of thirteen members of the Grand Council. It handled all civil and criminal cases. The 1814 Restoration Constitution kept this structure but changed the name to Obergericht.
Then came a significant shift. The liberal constitution of 1831. Influenced by the 1830 July Revolution it introduced the separation of powers and judicial independence. We consider this the Obergericht’s true birth. The first president was the radical-liberal politician Friedrich Ludwig Keller. Each of the eleven judges received a yearly salary of 1400 francs. Quite a difference compared to today’s salaries. Those range between 243 992 and 266 788 francs.
Initially the Obergericht resided in the City Hall on the Limmat. In 1837 it moved to a custom-built home. It sat between the Obmannamt and the then-theater. Later in 1876 it moved to the old Casino building. It has been expanded and renovated several times since then. The most recent renovation ran from 2008 to 2012. This brought the building up to current standards.
The Obergericht isn’t just a court. It oversees the entire justice administration. This is excluding parts reserved for other authorities. It’s a complex institution divided into chambers. These handle various types of cases. The Handelsgericht or commercial court sometimes operates as a single-judge court. The Obergericht also has numerous commissions under its authority. These cover things like examining lawyer and notary candidates.
So as you stand before the Zurich Obergericht remember its long and fascinating history. It is a symbol of justice and the evolution of Swiss law. It’s more than just a building. It’s a testament to Zurich’s dedication to a fair and just legal system. A system that has been constantly evolving for over two hundred years.