320.100
EGZZPOLACPC
CH-GR
CH-GR
Art. 12 Introductory Act to the Swiss Civil Procedure Code (EGzZPO) - Legal Aid
Supplementary Provisions - Special Provisions
Art. 12 EGzZPO - Legal Aid · Legal Aid
1. Before filing the lawsuit with the court, the chairperson of the court of first instance decides on applications for free legal aid.
2. The canton is usually to be heard. The tax administration provides the necessary data to the office responsible for the statement or to the court. It may make the data accessible through a retrieval procedure.
3. The costs of free legal aid are charged to the court fund, insofar as they are borne by the canton according to the Code of Civil Procedure.
4. The jurisdiction and procedure for repayment are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act.
5. The provisions concerning free legal aid apply to mediation within the meaning of the Code of Civil Procedure if
a) the parties do not have the necessary means;
b) their legal request or the mediation does not appear futile; and
c) it is conducted by a recognized mediator.
Court Decisions Applying This Provision (25)
ZR1 2025 117 · gr (Art. 122 Abs. 1 lit. a ZPO i.V.m. Art. 12 Abs. 3 EGzZPO)
Adult Protection Authority Placement Extension Due to Alcohol-Related Organic Personality Change
Cited to establish that the costs of the appointed legal representative go to the detriment of the Canton of Graubünden and are paid from the court treasury.
ZR1 2024 181 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 2 EGzZPO)
Spousal Protection Settlement Approved in Appeal
Cited in orders 8.2 and 8.3 as the basis for compensating the lawyers out of cantonal funds due to legal aid.
ZR1 2024 181 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 3 EGzZPO)
Spousal Protection Settlement Approved in Appeal
Cited in order 8.1 as the basis for allocating the court costs for the appeal procedure to the Canton due to legal aid.
SV1 2025 6 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Tax Authority Repayment Order Overturned Due to Financial Hardship
Cited in the reasoning section to establish the admissibility and procedure for appealing decisions concerning the reimbursement of advanced costs.
ZK1 2024 61 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 3 EGzZPO)
Appeal Regarding Provisional Child Support Modification
Cited in conjunction with Art. 122 Abs. 2 Satz 1 ZPO to determine the remuneration payable by the Canton to the respondent's representative due to legal aid.
U 2023 51 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 3 EGzZPO)
Parking Tenancy Termination Appeal Time-Barred
This procedural rule was referenced in the context of the lower court's decision concerning the payment of the attorney's fees from the court treasury.
U 2023 68 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Repayment of State-Funded Legal Aid Costs and Economic Capacity Assessment
Cited in the reasoning to establish the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court regarding appeals against cost reimbursement decisions.
ZK1 2022 118 · gr (art. 12 cpv. 3 LACPC)
Recalculation of Appointed Counsel Fees in Divorce Proceedings Based on Legal Aid Commencement Date
Cited in the reformed order alongside Art. 122 CPC to confirm that the official lawyer's fee is temporarily borne by the court's cash office.
U 2022 62 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Cantonal Government v. Appellant (Repayment of Legal Aid Costs)
Cited, alongside Art. 77 Abs. 2 i.V.m. Art. 52 Abs. 1 VRG, to establish jurisdiction for appeals concerning the reimbursement of advanced costs.
U 2021 62 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Repayment of State-Funded Legal Aid Upon Improved Financial Means
Cited, along with Art. 77 Abs. 2 i.V.m. Art. 52 Abs. 1 VRG, as the procedural basis for appealing decisions regarding the refund of advanced costs.
U 2020 97 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Reclamation of Free Legal Aid Due to Improved Financial Standing
Cited in the reasoning as one of the jurisdictional rules allowing appeal against decisions concerning the refund of advanced costs to the Administrative Court.
U 2020 97 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Repayment of Free Legal Aid Following Improved Financial Circumstances
Cited in the reasoning as part of the procedural basis allowing the appeal against the cost reimbursement decision.
ZK1 2019 105 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 3 EGzZPO)
Mother's Appeal Against Custody Transfer Dismissed
Cited in the reasoning (E. 5.2) regarding the canton compensating the lawyer for the winning party when legal aid is granted.
U 2020 26 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Repayment of Advanced Legal Aid Costs Due to Income Surplus
Cited as the procedural basis allowing appeals concerning the recovery of advanced costs to the Administrative Court.
U 2019 71 · gr (Art. 12 Abs. 4 EGzZPO)
Tax Authority Repayment Order Annulled Due to Reassessment of Legal Aid Eligibility
Procedural rule cited for determining the admissibility/procedure for appealing decisions concerning the reimbursement of advanced costs.