2 Bernhard C. Lauterburg | Prager Dreifuss

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Bernhard C. Lauterburg

Counsel

Position: Counsel
Practice Areas: Competition & Regulatory Matters , Dispute Resolution
Field-Display: Competition & Regulatory Matters Team , Dispute Resolution Team

Bernhard Lauterburg is an experienced lawyer specialising in antitrust and competition law. His practice includes representation in cartel investigations and investigation regarding the abuse of market power (dominance and relative market power), the notification of mergers to the Competition Commission (merger control proceedings) and advice on contract drafting and antitrust compliance. He also specialises in general administrative law, public procurement law and arbitration. He also has in-depth knowledge of the World Trade Organisation and international trade law, investment protection and state aid.

Bernhard is independent in thought and action. Clients appreciate his quick grasp of complex issues and his focus on facts and solutions. He always keeps track of all relevant details and combines them into a clear and stringent argumentation.

E-Mail

+41 31 327 54 54

Linkedin

VCard

Admission to the Bar

Admitted in Switzerland (2010) 

Practice Areas

  • Competition & Regulatory Matters
  • Dispute Resolution

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center (LL.M., 2006)
  • University of Bern (lic. iur., 2004)

Languages

  • German
  • English
  • French

Memberships

  • Bern and Swiss Bar Association
  • Swiss Arbitration Association 
  • Bernese Lawyers Association
  • Ligue Internationale du droit de la concurrence

The team is very reliable, responsive and accurate in the solution proposed. — Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Philipp Zurkinden and Bernhard Lauterburg are responsive. Their answers are always well explained, well detailed. They offer several options to find the best solution for us. They are proactive. — Legal 500 EMEA 2022

The professional support is excellent and there is the willingness to go the extra mile. — Legal 500 EMEA 2022

Profound knowledge of the law and the most recent practice of the authorities, a team beyond the value — Legal 500 2020 

Future Leader in Competition — Who's Who Legal 2020

Publications

Aug 2025
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg

The Federal Supreme Court Clarifies Legal Protection in Cases of Prematurely Concluded Procurement Contracts

The Federal Supreme Court ruled that in cases of procurement contracts prematurely concluded following a procedure under the rules of the Intercantonal Agreement on Public Procurement, primary legal protection must in principle be granted. The cantonal appeal bodies must therefore examine whether such a contract can, in exceptional cases, be declared void or whether the procurement agency can be ordered to terminate or amend the contract. Only if this is not possible will damages be awarded. Importantly, such damages are not necessarily limited to the expenses incurred by the bidder in connection with the preparation and submission of its offer.

Aug 2025
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Reading time: 8 Min

Relative market power – much ado about nothing? Past developments and future perspectives in practice

Bernhard Lauterburg and Philipp Zurkinden give an overview on the latest practice of the Swiss Competition Commission on the provisions on relative market power which came into effect on January 1, 2022.

Aug 2025
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 3 Min

New Competition Law Ruling on Interchange Fees in Switzerland by the Swiss Competition Commission – Overview on the "interchange fee landscape" in Switzerland

Bernhard Lauterburg provides a short overview on the decision by the Swiss Competition Commission (ComCO) regarding Visa debit and credit cards as well as the current "domestic interchange fee landscape" in Switzerland.

Dec 2024
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Reading time: 30 Min

Litigation and Enforcement in Switzerland: Overview

The country-specific Q&A gives a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning dispute resolution in this jurisdiction, including court procedures; fees and funding; interim remedies (including attachment orders); disclosure; expert evidence; appeals; class actions; enforcement; cross-border issues; and the use of ADR.

Nov 2024
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law

Arbitration Procedures and Practice in Switzerland: Overview

The country-specific Q&A guide provides a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning arbitration in this jurisdiction, including mandatory provisions, form requirements and default rules applicable under Swiss law, the status of third parties, confidentiality, costs involved, local courts' role to assist arbitration, enforcement of awards and the available remedies, both final and interim.
 

Mar 2024
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 4 Min

Jurisdictional hurdles in investment disputes in China – a recent judgment of the Swiss Federal Tribunal

Bernhard Lauterburg and Marcel Frey analyse a recently published decision by the Federal Tribunal dealing with the interpretation of jurisdictional clauses in bilateral investment treaties with China and the appeal means available in instances of expropriation or measures of an equivalent intensity.

Feb 2024
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 2 Min

Vis Moot Court — The second Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss this year

"We have been conducting these trials for twelve years now, and the standard has risen massively in recent years," said the Arbitral Tribunal. This is particularly true in today's round with the Claimant SensorX plc represented by Nieves Malpeli (procedural issues) and Philipp Bürgi (substantive issues) of the University of Bern. The defendant Visionic Ltd is no less competently represented, namely by Sofia Heim (procedural issues) and Leonie Thommen (substantive issues) of the University of Basel.

The facts are the same: counsel on both sides have a difficult time, with SensorX challenging its counsels with complete organisational chaos, while Visionic is impressing with an extra dose of naivety in dealing with cyber risks. But the representatives of the claimant and the defendant are not fazed by such details. They impressed the arbitral tribunal – compose of the Prager Dreifuss lawyers Marcel Frey (chairman), Gion Jegher and Bernhard Lauterburg – with their confident and self-assured demeanor, which was supported by their solid knowledge of the arbitration file and the applicable legal sources, topped off with several international reference judgments.

Both sides are bursting with attacking spirit, trying to wrap the arbitrators around their fingers en passant: good eye contact, moderately supportive gestures and an eloquent use of the voice, these elements make the winner. Only today there was none, the four fighters neutralised each other and were allowed to split the prize money between them.

Feb 2024
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 2 Min

Vis Moot Court — The first Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss in 2024

"While we're here, we might as well resolve two disputes, right?" This is one of the arguments put forward by the Claimant SensorX plc, represented by Marko Savkovic (procedural issues) and Niklas Graefen (substantive issues) of the University of St. Gallen. "To the contrary, the two transactions have nothing to do with each other, the second request is not covered by the arbitration clause!", is the reply of the Respondent, Visionic Ltd, represented by Nathalie Kneisel (procedural issues) and Giovanni Giusti (substantive issues) of the University of Zurich.

And then there's this: a hacker used a spoof e-mail to divert USD 38 million from Visionic, which believed it had paid this to its seller, SensorX. Visionic had ordered sensors for cars in this amount, SensorX had delivered them and was therefore expecting payment. In its defence, Visionic accuses its business partner of being partly to blame for the dilemma, since the hacker was only able to create the detailed fraudulent spoof e-mail after a successful cyber-attack on SensorX. SensorX had kept quiet about the attack, leaving Visionic in the dark and transferring the money to the hacker's account.

The arbitration tribunal – the Prager Dreifuss lawyers Marcel Frey (chairman), Gion Jegher and Bernhard Lauterburg – noted that both parties had not given sufficient attention to the cyber risks. Who will win this dispute? Based on the more convincing oral presentation, the St. Gallen team walked away with a slim lead, with the debate continiuing into the reception that followed.

Jan 2024
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 5 Min

The right to appeal for reasons of recusal – The Federal Tribunal maintains a strict approach

Marcel Frey and Bernhard Lauterburg discuss a recent Federal Tribunal decision on the parties' duty of care in arbitration proceedings. The Federal Supreme Court clarified its case law on the extinguishing of grounds to challenge arbitrators. This is the case if the grounds for challenge could have been discovered in good time by applying due diligence and could have been asserted during the arbitration proceedings. This requires the parties to carry out extensive research of publicly available information on the arbitrators.

Nov 2023
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Practical Law Country Guide
Reading time: 5 Min

Litigation and Enforcement in Switzerland: Overview

Nov 2023
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg

Arbitration Procedures and Practices in Switzerland: Overview

The country-specific Q&A guide provides a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning arbitration in this jurisdiction, including any mandatory provisions and default rules applicable under Swiss law, confidentiality, local courts' role to assist arbitration, enforcement of awards and the available remedies, both final and interim, and the new provision giving companies the option of subjecting corporate disputes to arbitral proceedings.

Mar 2023
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 1 Min

Vis Moot Court — Second Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss

The second Moot Court practice run this year at Prager Dreifuss! On 17 March 2023, there was another encounter before the arbitral tribunal, the case was the same. The hearing began with the respondent — state-owned Equatoriana Geoscience Ltd — represented by Tsagaanlkham Badamkhand (procedural issues) and Iphigénie Carbonel (substantive issues) from the University of Basel. Respondent presented convincing and well-argued points against the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

The claimant—drone manufacturer Drone Eye plc—was represented by Perla Bachmann (procedural issues) and Anaïs Frischknecht (substantive issues) from the University of Zurich. Counsel for claimant also argued in the very best English, already the briefs submitted by the parties were of the highest standard. The debate turned – inter alia – on the question what qualifies as an aircraft and is therefore excluded from the scope of the applicable treaty on international sales of goods (CISG). The students researched thoroughly the jurisprudence available, assessing decisions on hot air balloons, submarines and used cars.

In the end, the team from the University of Zurich, with its good arguments and convincing presentation, was able to secure a narrow advantage with arbitral tribunal. The arbitration panel consisted of Marcel Frey as chairman and the two party-nominated arbitrators Gion Jegher and Bernhard Lauterburg. We wish both teams every success in the competition!

Mar 2023
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Reading time: 1 Min

Vis Moot Court — Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss

Finally, another student showdown on the 6th floor at Prager Dreifuss! On 8 March 2023, the claimant, drone manufacturer Drone Eye plc, represented by Filippo Börner (procedural issues) and Manuel Constam (substantive issues) from the University of St. Gallen, attended the oral hearing in the arbitral proceedings against respondent, state-owned company Equatoriana Geoscience Ltd, represented by Julia Bischof (procedural issues) and Alex Brückler (substantive issues) from the University of Bern.

In substance, claimant wants to be awarded damages under the purchase and supply agreement for 6 reconnaissance aircraft which it concluded with respondent. However, allegations of corruption, fraud and misrepresentation as well as dubious machinations play an important role alongside questions of jurisdiction and applicable law. The St. Gallen team displayed good file knowledge and communicated well. The students from Bern counterpunched with solid technical details on the purchase objects and valiantly countered the barrage of questions by the tribunal.

Well done! But you can always learn something new. The party representatives were able to take home some valuable input from the arbitrators, who could not come to a unanimous finding and decided to split the prize money equally among both contesting teams.

Nov 2022
Subject: Health and Medical Law
Autor: Marino Baldi, Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Andrea Schütz, Philipp E. Zurkinden

GCR Life Sciences - Switzerland

A stable and comprehensible legal framework is of great importance, not only in crisis situations, but in general. Legal uncertainties are poison for the supply of a country with important medical goods. The life sciences sector has so far not raised any major competition law issues in Switzerland. Yet, recent jurisprudence as well as enacted and planned legislative amendments are not free of contradictions and ambiguities. The lack of an update of the Mutual Recognition Agreement and the related status of Switzerland as a third country vis-à-vis the EU brought additional uncertainties. The authors provide an overview of the current regulatory environment and discuss the implications of planned legislative changes.

Mar 2022
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg

Vis Moot Court # 2 — Next Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the second trial run hearing within a week took place at the Zurich office of Prager Dreifuss with counsel for claimant from the University of Zurich (Lara Langer and Hadjar Sbaih) and counsel for respondent from the University of Lucerne (Asia Ponti and Andrea Greub), this time “in personal attendance”.

Our attorneys Marcel Frey (chairman), Gion Jegher and Bernhard Lauterburg constituted the arbitration tribunal. They asked parties' counsel many challenging questions. The young law students gave detailed answers showing great command of the facts and the law. The tribunal was deeply impressed by the professional expertise of the four students. Its only advice to the new generation: More passion and less argument is sometimes more. The verdict in the end: a narrow win for Lucerne.

Mar 2022
Subject: Corporate News
Autor: Marcel Frey, Gion Jegher, Bernhard C. Lauterburg

Vis Moot Court — Trial Run at Prager Dreifuss

Hybrid hearing with counsel for claimant from the University of St. Gallen (Damian Wyss and Jens Neese) and counsel for respondent from the University of Basel (Roger Reschek and Océane Kessler) on Monday, March 14, 2022, at the Zurich office of Prager Dreifuss:

A sudden withdrawal from an “in person” attendance by the Basel team due to a Covid contact issue challenged us to find an alternate setup for the hearing at short notice. Thanks to our IT hero Patrick Schmidhalter, we were able to prepare a hybrid courtroom with counsel for respondent (Basel) on screen and counsel for claimant (St. Gallen) in person. Our attorneys Marcel Frey (chairman), Gion Jegher and Bernhard Lauterburg formed the arbitral tribunal. They were deeply impressed by the technical language skills and the compelling arguments displayed by the four law students acting as counsel. While the St. Gallen team had a slight advantage in the room, the Basel team was credited with the digital disadvantage. The verdict at the end: a well-deserved draw.

Apr 2021
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Reading time: 7 Min

Litigation and enforcement in Switzerland: overview

The country-specific Q&A gives a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning dispute resolution in this jurisdiction, including court procedures; fees and funding; interim remedies (including attachment orders); disclosure; expert evidence; appeals; class actions; enforcement; cross-border issues; the use of ADR; and any reform proposals.

Mar 2021
Label: Highlight
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: IFLR
Reading time: 5 Min

Sun Yang and Switzerland’s international arbitration rules

Bernhard Lauterburg and Marcel Frey of Prager Dreifuss explain how the Federal Tribunal overturned a CAS decision ordering an eight-year doping ban of the Chinese Olympic swimmer on the discovery of circumstances justifying the removal of an arbitrator.

Mar 2021
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law

A Q&A guide to arbitration law and practice in Switzerland.

The country-specific Q&A guide provides a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning arbitration in this jurisdiction, including any mandatory provisions and default rules applicable under local law, confidentiality, local courts' willingness to assist arbitration, enforcement of awards and the available remedies, both final and interim, and the new provisions governing arbitration in Switzerland that came into effect recently.

Feb 2021
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden

Annual Report on Jurisprudence in Swiss Competition Law in 2019/2020

This annual report on jurisprudence in Swiss competition law in 2019/20 summarizes the most important cartels, abuse of dominance and merger cases in this period. It further contains some comments on three state aid cases falling under the bilateral air transport agreement CH-EU in 2020 and on the ongoing reform of the Swiss Cartels Act.

Feb 2021
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Chambers and Partners, Merger Control
Reading time: 7 Min

Merger Control - Trends & Developments in Switzerland (in Chambers Global)

This article provides an overview on the recent practice of the Swiss competition authorities in merger control and on the ongoing reform of the Swiss Cartels Act and the merger control reform respectively

Mar 2020
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Reading time: 30 Min

Litigation and enforcement in Switzerland: overview

A Q&A guide to dispute resolution law in Switzerland.

The country-specific Q&A gives a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning dispute resolution in this jurisdiction, including court procedures; fees and funding; interim remedies (including attachment orders); disclosure; expert evidence; appeals; class actions; enforcement; cross-border issues; the use of ADR; and any reform proposals.

To compare answers across multiple jurisdictions visit the Litigation and enforcement Country Q&A tool.

This Q&A is part of the global guide to dispute resolution. For a full list of jurisdictional Q&As visit global.practicallaw.com/dispute-guide.

Feb 2020
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Thomson Reuters Practical Law
Reading time: 30 Min

Arbitration procedures and practice in Switzerland: overview

A Q&A guide to arbitration law and practice in Switzerland.

The country-specific Q&A guide provides a structured overview of the key practical issues concerning arbitration in this jurisdiction, including any mandatory provisions and default rules applicable under local law, confidentiality, local courts' willingness to assist arbitration, enforcement of awards and the available remedies, both final and interim.

To compare answers across multiple jurisdictions visit the Arbitration procedures and practice Country Q&A tool.

This Q&A is part of the multi-jurisdictional guide to arbitration. For a full list of jurisdictional Q&As visit global.practicallaw.com/arbitration-guide.

Nov 2019
Subject: Competition & Regulatory Matters
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Getting The Deal Through

Public Procurement 2019 – Switzerland

Dec 2018
Subject: Dispute Resolution
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Practical Law Country Guide

Litigation and enforcement in Switzerland: overview

Oct 2017
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Getting The Deal Through

Public Procurement 2017 – Switzerland

Oct 2017
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Merger control in Switzerland, market intelligence

Merger control in Switzerland, market intelligence

May 2016
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Merger control in Switzerland, market intelligence

Merger control in Switzerland, market intelligence

Mar 2016
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Chambers and Partners, Merger Control

Chambers Practice Guides: Merger Control

Jan 2016
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Financier Worldwide

TalkingPoint: Swiss Antitrust Investigations

Jul 2015
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Practical Law Country Guide

Litigation and enforcement in Switzerland: overview – Practical Law multi-jurisdictional guide 2015 / 2016

Jul 2015
Autor: Christoph K. Graber, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: IBA Insurance Committee Substantive Project

Applicable law and jurisdiction in international reinsurance contracts from a Swiss perspective

Jun 2015
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Getting The Deal Through

Public Procurement 2015 – Switzerland

Apr 2015
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Financier Worldwide

Talking Point – Preparing for a Dawn Raid

Mar 2015
Autor: Urs Feller, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: IFLR

Preliminary Judicial Protection

Oct 2014
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: The Private Competition Enforcement Review

The Private Competition Enforcement Review

Sep 2014
Autor: Urs Feller, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: IFLR

Preliminary judicial protection

Jun 2012
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Philipp E. Zurkinden
Paper: Getting The Deal Through

Getting The Deal Through – Public Procurement: Country Chapter Switzerland

Sep 2011
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: The Private Competition Enforcement Review

The Private Competition Enforcement Review – Swiss Chapter

May 2011
Autor: Urs Feller, Marcel Frey, Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Practical Law Company Dispute Resolution Handbook 2011/2012

Dispute Resolution Country Q&A Switzerland

Jan 2011
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg
Paper: Finanz und Wirtschaft

KMU im Visier der Wettbewerbsbehörden

Jan 2010
Autor: Bernhard C. Lauterburg, Noah Rubins
Paper: Investment and Commercial Arbitration – Similarities and Divergences (Eleven International Publishing)

Independence, Impartiality and Duty of Disclosure in Investment Arbitration

Team

Raphael KellerRaphael Märki