Swiss court weighs whether judges’ relationship tainted rulings

Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court held a public hearing on Thursday to consider whether a relationship between two of its judges could have compromised the court’s independence, SRF reported. The ruling could affect multiple requests to reopen cases.

Judges Yves Donzallaz and Beatrice van de Graaf told the court their relationship did not violate the law. The pair were together for nearly a year after they reportedly grew close while van de Graaf helped Donzallaz clear his garden following a spring storm in 2025.

The relationship became public after the judges separated. The law bars Federal Supreme Court judges from being in a lasting domestic partnership with one another, but the meaning of that term is disputed. The court is considering whether it requires a couple to live together or whether a relationship alone is enough to breach the rule.

The case before the court was brought by a man seeking a review of his final conviction for attempted murder, which was handed down by van de Graaf. He argues that the judges’ relationship affected the court’s independence.

The court is treating the case as a test case. Thirteen other review requests are pending, including one from former professional boxer Viviane Obenauf, who was convicted of murdering her husband. Further requests could be filed over rulings from the past 30 days, as Donzallaz and van de Graaf remain in office.

The judges’ re-election is also in doubt. Parliament postponed the renewal elections until its winter session so it could first learn whether the court considers the relationship unlawful. The court has already concluded in its internal guidelines that any relationship between judges is unacceptable, whether or not they live together. A ruling was expected later on Thursday.