Organizational Regulations of the Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich (OrgR RWF) (ORGRRWF)

This set of regulations, based on the University Act and the Statutes of the University of Zurich, governs the organization of the Faculty of Law, as well as the duties of its bodies and organizational units.

1 Principles

The Faculty of Law, in fulfilling its organizational tasks, is guided by academic freedom of research, teaching, and learning, as well as by the following guiding principles

1. clear and binding regulation of tasks, responsibilities, and competencies at all leadership levels,

2. lean structures and flexible processes for the efficient fulfillment of leadership and administrative tasks, with the greatest possible relief for faculty members in favor of research and teaching,

3. transparency as well as situation- and person-appropriate assignment of tasks, competencies, and responsibilities.

2 In the distribution of resources, teaching and examination performance, as well as faculty leadership tasks, are taken into account.

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Organs

The organs of the Faculty are

1. the Faculty Assembly,

2. the Faculty Committee,

3. the Faculty Board,

4. the Dean.

Departments

1 The Faculty of Law is subdivided into the following subject groups for the individual research and teaching areas

1. Foundational Subjects,

2. Civil Law and Civil Procedure Law,

3. Commercial and Business Law,

4. Criminal Law,

5. Public, Administrative, and International Law.

2 The subject groups are composed of the chairs and their affiliated research centers within the respective subject areas.

Additional Organizational Units

The following organizational units are administratively and organizationally assigned to the Faculty

1. Europa Institute at the University of Zurich (EIZ),

2. Centre for Research on Direct Democracy (c2d),

3. University competence centers assigned to the Faculty.

Faculty Administration

The Faculty Administration is structured into the following administrative units

1. Dean's Office,

2. Vice Dean's Office for Academic Affairs,

3. Vice Dean's Office for Research and Junior Scholar Development,

4. Vice Dean's Office for External Relations,

5. Vice Dean's Office for Resources,

6. Legal Department.

Composition

Section 2: Faculty Bodies

A. Faculty Assembly

1 The Faculty Assembly is composed of the entire professoriate.

2 In addition, there are three delegates from each status group.

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3 The managing directors of the Dean's Office and the Pro-Dean's Office Resources, as well as the heads of the Study Dean's Office and the Legal Department, participate in the Faculty Assembly with advisory votes.

4 The Faculty Assembly may allow other persons who are not members of the Assembly to participate in its meetings with advisory votes.

1 Tasks of the Faculty Assembly

1 The Faculty Assembly is responsible for submitting proposals to the University Board in the following areas

1. Development and financial planning of the faculty,

2. Establishment, transformation, abolition and renaming of chairs, institutes and other organizational units,

3. Appointment of endowed professors,

4. Approval of agreements on inter-faculty collaborations.

2 It is responsible for submitting proposals to the Expanded University Board in the following areas

1. Enactment of the framework regulations for studies and the doctoral regulations,

2. Approval of the study regulations and the habilitation regulations as well as the regulations on titular professorships and continuing education programs,

3. Appointment as a *Privatdozentin* or *Privatdozent* (private lecturer) and the granting, amendment and withdrawal of the *Venia Legendi*,

4. Appointment as a titular professor and the extension or withdrawal of the titular professorship,

5. Permission to continue using the title of titular professor upon early retirement,

6. Approval of the faculty's organizational regulations.

3 It is ultimately responsible for

1. The strategic development of the faculty,

2. The election of the Dean and the Vice-Deans,

3. The awarding of academic titles and degrees in accordance with the framework regulations for studies,

4. The approval of visiting professorships,

5. The establishment of committees and the election of their members within the Faculty Assembly's area of responsibility,

6. The adoption of guidelines,

7. The regulation of continuing education,

8. The delegation of members to university-wide and external offices and committees,

9. The election of the managing director of the Dean's Office,

10. The adoption of the timetable,

11. The approval of teaching appointments and further remuneration for teaching activities.

4 It may delegate its tasks in individual cases, to the extent permitted by superordinate law.

**B. Faculty Committee**

**Composition and Election**

**Tasks**

1. The Faculty Committee is composed of the Faculty Board and the chairs of the subject groups, as well as one delegate from each of the estates.

2. Each subject group shall appoint a substitute from among its members.

3. The regulation of the substitution for the delegates of the estates shall be governed by their respective election regulations.

1 The Faculty Committee is responsible, in particular, for

1. providing an opinion on applications from the Appointment and Promotion

Commissions to the University Executive Board,

2. issuing special examination certificates, especially for the

continuing education programmes.

2 The Faculty Assembly may delegate further tasks to the Faculty Committee.

C. Faculty Board and Dean

Composition

of the Faculty

Board

1 The Faculty Board is composed of

1. the Dean,

2. the Vice Dean for Studies (Vice Dean for Teaching),

3. the Vice Dean for Research and Junior Academics,

4. the Vice Dean for External Relations,

5. the Vice Dean for Resources.

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2 The Managing Directors of the Dean's Office and the Vice Dean's Office for Resources, as well as the Head of the Vice Dean's Office for Studies and the Legal Department, generally participate in the meetings of the Faculty Board, insofar as matters from their respective areas are affected. They have an advisory vote.

3 The Faculty Board may allow other persons with an advisory vote to participate in its meetings.

1 Election of the Faculty Board

1 The members of the Faculty Board are elected by the Faculty Assembly for a term of four years.

2 Staggered terms of office are sought to ensure continuity.

3 For the preparation of the election of the members of the Faculty Board, the Faculty Assembly appoints a search committee.

4 For the election of the Dean, the search committee consists of three representatives of the professoriate, a joint representation of the other constituent groups, and one member of the University Management. The member of the University Management chairs the committee.

5 For the election of the other members of the Faculty Board, the search committee consists of three faculty members; one member may be a former faculty member. The search committee constitutes itself.

6 If the current members of the Faculty Board are available for re-election, the Faculty Assembly may dispense with the appointment of a search committee.

7 The Faculty Assembly regulates the search procedure.

1. **Duties of the Faculty Board**

The Faculty Board is responsible for preparing the strategy development as well as the development and financial planning of the Faculty for submission to the Faculty Assembly.

2. It approves the Faculty budget for submission to the University Management.

3. It is responsible for

1. the allocation of resources to the organisational and administrative units,

2. the supervision of the Faculty's organisational and administrative units,

3. the annual reporting,

4. the administration of the Faculty's financial resources,

5. the promotion of junior academics and gender equality,

6. the cultivation of external relations,

7. the promotion of research,

8. the supervision of the teaching and continuing education programmes,

9. ensuring the advising of students on matters of study design,

10. the appointment of the management of the Pro-Dean's Office for Resources as well as the heads of the Dean of Studies' Office and the Legal Office,

11. submitting proposals to the University Management regarding the establishment of appointment committees in accordance with § 10 para. 4 UniO.

1 The Faculty Board** fulfills its duties in collegial cooperation and regulates the distribution of tasks.

**2 The individual tasks** of the Faculty Board are distributed among its members based on the consensus principle, supported by §§ 15–19. The area of continuing education is assigned to one Faculty Board member. If no consensus is reached, the Dean decides according to § 75 para. 2 UniO.

**3 Important matters** are jointly discussed and decided.

1 The Dean is responsible for the leadership of the Faculty and the oversight of the organisational and administrative units of the Faculty.

2 She or he performs the tasks assigned to her or him in accordance with the University Act, the University Regulations of the University of Zurich, the Personnel Regulations of the University of Zurich, and the Financial Handbook of the University of Zurich.

3 She or he is particularly responsible for

1. representing the Faculty externally,

2. the development and implementation of the Faculty's strategy,

3. chairing the Faculty Assembly, the Faculty Committee, and the Faculty Board,

4. the overall coordination of appointment and habilitation procedures,

5. objections and appeals,

6. internal and external communication,

7. promoting diversity, gender equality, and the equality of people with disabilities.

4 She or he bears overall responsibility for

1. the Faculty's finances,

2. the organisation of the Faculty,

3. project portfolio and process management.

Collaboration

Dean

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5 She or he holds leadership responsibility for the professors within the framework of university guidelines.

6 She or he oversees the activities of the Vice-Deans, the Managing Director of the Dean's Office, and the Head of the Legal Office.

7 She or he is responsible for all matters not assigned to any other body.

8 She or he may delegate tasks, insofar as superordinate law permits.

1. The Dean of Studies is responsible for the leadership of the Office of the Dean of Studies.

2. He or she is responsible for teaching and studies at the faculty level.

3. He or she is particularly responsible for

1. The development and implementation of strategies in the areas of teaching and studies.

2. The smooth process flow and quality assurance in the areas of teaching and studies, including examinations.

4. He or she chairs the Teaching Commissions.

5. He or she represents the faculty in the university's committees for teaching.

6. He or she performs the function of the Study Program Director.

7. He or she supervises the activities of the Head of the Office of the Dean of Studies.

1 The Vice-Dean for Research and Junior Academics is responsible for

leading the Vice-Dean's Office for Research and Junior Academics.

or Vice-Dean for

Academic Affairs

Vice-Dean for

Research and

Junior

2 They are responsible for overseeing and developing research and Academic

the promotion of junior academics at the faculty level. Promotion

3 They are particularly responsible for

1. the development and implementation of strategies in the areas

of research and the promotion of junior academics,

2. the support and promotion of junior researchers at the Faculty

of Law.

4 They chair the Research and Junior Academic Promotion Committee.

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Vice-Dean for

External Relations

They represent the Faculty in the university bodies for research

and the promotion of junior academics.

The Associate Dean for External Relations

is responsible for leading the Associate Deanship for External Relations.

He or she is responsible for maintaining and developing external

relations at the faculty level.

He or she is particularly responsible for

1. the development and implementation of strategies in the area of external

relations,

2. maintaining the faculty's contacts with external academic

partner institutions.

He or she chairs the Committee for External Relations.

He or she represents the faculty in the university's bodies

for external relations.

Associate Dean

for Resources

The Vice Dean for Resources is responsible for the management of the Vice Deanship for Resources.

He or she is responsible for personnel matters (excluding professorial staff), operative financial affairs, infrastructure and logistics, IT management, as well as operative project portfolio and process management.

He or she is the contact person regarding the University of Zurich Library in the field of Law.

He or she is a member of the Library Board of the University of Zurich Library and represents the Faculty in other university bodies within his or her area of responsibility.

He or she supervises the activities of the Executive Director of the Vice Deanship for Resources.

Responsibility for Continuing Education

The Faculty Board member responsible for continuing education is accountable for continuing education at the Faculty level.

He or she is notably responsible for

1. the development and implementation of strategies in the field of continuing education,

2. quality assurance and networking in the field of continuing education.

He or she chairs the Continuing Education Commission.

He or she represents the Faculty in the University's continuing education bodies.

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1 Representation in Case of Impediment of the Dean

If the Dean is unable to exercise their office, they shall be represented by a Vice-Dean.

**2** If the Vice-Deans are also unable to exercise their office, representation shall be provided by the former Deans in reverse chronological order.

**3** The Faculty Board shall regulate the representation of the Vice-Deans.

The Faculty Board may delegate individual tasks.

Delegation of Individual Tasks

D. Committees

1 For important and continuous tasks, permanent faculty commissions can be established.

2 Permanent commissions are

1. the Teaching Commission,

2. the External Relations Commission,

3. the Research and Junior Scholars Promotion Commission,

4. the Continuing Education Commission.

3 To fulfil temporary special tasks, non-permanent commissions can be established.

4 Non-permanent commissions include, in particular

1. Appointment Commissions,

2. Promotion Commissions,

3. Search Commissions in accordance with § 12.

5 The Faculty Assembly determines the tasks of the commissions, insofar as these do not arise from superordinate law.

Permanent and Non-Permanent Commissions

1 The commissions are generally chaired by a member of the Faculty Board.

2 The commissions generally include faculty members from all subject groups, as well as one representative per estate.

3 The Faculty Assembly elects the members from the subject groups. The representatives of the estates are determined according to their election regulations.

4 The commissions organize themselves.

Composition and Election

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E. Representation in Non-Faculty Bodies

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Duties

1 The representatives of the faculty in extra-

faculty committees shall orient themselves in their committee work towards the

interests of the faculty.

2 They are accountable to the Dean upon request.

3 The requirements of personality and data protection, as well as any further confidentiality obligations, remain reserved.

Composition

Organisation

Tasks

Section 3: Subject Groups

1. Professors belong, according to their specialization, to one or more subject groups.

2. Voting rights exist in only one subject group. In other subject groups, professors may participate in an advisory capacity.

3. Subject groups may invite titular professors and private lecturers assigned to them to their meetings in an advisory capacity.

4. The Faculty Assembly decides on the affiliation of professors to a subject group, which includes voting rights, as well as the affiliation of titular professors and private lecturers to a subject group.

The professional groups shall elect from among their members the chair and their deputy, as well as determine the corresponding terms of office.

The subject groups are responsible in particular for the following areas of

responsibility

1. Coordination of courses in the subject area,

2. Coordination and monitoring of applications concerning teaching staff

positions as well as their quality assurance,

3. Monitoring of subject-area-specific requirements of the curriculum

and description of examination material within the subject area,

4. Supervision of senior assistants and habilitation candidates,

5. Maintaining contact with titular professors and

Privatdozenten (private lecturers),

6. Deployment and monitoring of the human and other resources

of the subject group,

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7. Delegation of subject group members to faculty bodies,

8. Exchange of information about research projects within the

subject group and participation in the preparation of the academic

report of the subject group.

4. Section: Faculty Administration

1 The Dean's Office supports the Dean and the Dean's Office

**other faculty bodies in fulfilling their duties.**

**2 Its responsibilities include, in particular:**

1. the organizational and administrative support of the faculty's bodies,

2. strategic controlling at faculty level: the coordination of the development and implementation of the faculty strategy as well as the development and financial planning,

3. financial controlling in cooperation with the Vice Dean's Office for Resources: coordination of financial planning, budgeting, budget control, and annual financial statements of the faculty,

4. the management of the faculty's financial budget at the level of operating result 3,

5. the administrative support of appointment and promotion procedures as well as other professorial matters,

6. the administrative support of habilitation procedures,

7. the organization of faculty events,

8. the support of the communication of the Dean,

9. alumni relations.

1 The Dean of Studies' Office ensures the provision of teaching and study operations.

2 Its responsibilities particularly include

1. the planning and organization of teaching,

2. the planning and organization of examinations,

3. student academic advising.

3 It supports the Dean of Studies in the fulfillment of their duties.

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Vice-Dean's Office

Research and

Junior Academic

Staff Development

Vice-Dean's Office

External

Relations

Vice-Dean's Office

Resources

Legal Office

1 The Vice Dean's Office for Research and Early Career Support provides assistance with the planning and execution of research projects at the faculty and supports early career researchers at the faculty in the planning and execution of scientific activities.

2 It supports the Vice Dean for Research and Early Career Support in the fulfillment of their duties.

1 The Vice-Dean's Office for International Affairs develops strategies for relationships with legal institutions for teaching and research, and maintains relationships with academic partner institutions domestically and abroad.

2 It supports the Vice-Dean for International Affairs in the performance of her or his duties.

1 The Vice-Dean's Office for Resources is responsible in particular for

1. case management and consultation for all personnel matters (proprietary funds and third-party funds, excluding professorships), with the exception of employer-initiated terminations,

2. managing the operational financial affairs of the Faculty (proprietary funds and third-party funds): accounting (creditors, debtors, and expenses), operational execution of budgeting and reporting, as well as preparing annual financial statements for the Dean's Office,

3. advising and supporting chairs and administrative units on budget matters and in the financial management of their areas of responsibility,

4. space and occupancy management, as well as the operation and maintenance of the Faculty's buildings and premises,

5. IT management and IT security,

6. the operational project portfolio and process management of the Faculty.

2 It supports the Vice-Dean for Resources in fulfilling their duties.

1. The Legal Department is responsible for the legal affairs of the Faculty.

2. Its duties include, in particular

1. handling objections and managing further appeal proceedings,

2. drafting regulations and other legal texts of the Faculty,

3. preparing statements within the framework of consultations by university bodies.

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3. It supports the Dean and other Faculty bodies in legal matters.

Section 5: Procedural Provisions

1 The recusal is governed by the Cantonal Constitution and the Administrative Justice Act³.

2 For specific subject areas, the Faculty Assembly issues supplementary guidelines.

1 Agendas and documents for the Faculty Assembly shall be dispatched at the latest six days before the meeting date.

2 For the other organs and remaining committees, dispatch shall be governed by the deadlines established by them.

1. Motions for the Treatment of an Agenda Item in the Faculty Assembly

Motions for the treatment of an agenda item in the Faculty Assembly must be submitted in writing to the Dean at least fourteen days before the meeting.

2. The Dean decides, in their dutiful discretion, at which Faculty Assembly a requested agenda item will be treated.

3. Motions to other bodies are governed by the deadlines set by those bodies.

1. **Attendance at Faculty Meetings and Other Committee Sessions – Official Duty and Attendance Requirement**

Attendance at faculty meetings and the sessions of other committees is an official duty for their members.

2. **Quorum for Faculty Meetings and Other Committees – Attendance Quorum**

The faculty meeting and other committees are quorate if at least half of the voting members are present.

3. With the exception of election matters, duly announced business can be dealt with by a smaller number of members if declared urgent by at least four-fifths of the voting members present.

1 Participation in votes is restricted as follows: Participation in

1. performance assessments (including doctorates) to persons who have taken the relevant examination,

2. continuing education degrees to persons who have obtained a Master of Law or an equivalent legal qualification,

3. habilitations and the appointment of titular professors to professors and habilitated persons.

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Conduct of votes

Elections

Circular resolutions

2 Participation in deliberations and votes on honorary doctorates is restricted to professors.

1 Decisions are made, subject to differing regulations, by a relative

majority of the votes cast; abstentions are not taken into account.

2 The chairperson votes. In the event of a tie, their vote counts twice.

3 Votes are taken openly, unless one quarter of the eligible voters

present demand a secret ballot.

4 Votes on motions in appointment and promotion matters, as well as

on honorary doctorates, are secret.

5 The Faculty Board may issue guidelines on voting procedures.

1. An election requires an absolute majority of the members present and entitled to vote.

2. If an absolute majority is not achieved in the second round of voting, a relative majority shall suffice in the third round.

3. Elections shall be open, unless one quarter of the members present demand a secret ballot.

4. The election of the members of the Faculty Board shall be by secret ballot.

5. The Faculty Board may issue guidelines regarding the election procedures.

1 The Chairs may subject business to a circulation procedure, insofar as this is in accordance with superordinate law. This may be carried out electronically.

2 In the case of business of Faculty bodies, as well as of appointment and promotion commissions, each member may, within three working days of the announcement of a circulation procedure, notify the Chair that they wish the business to be dealt with at a meeting. In this case, the circulation procedure shall be cancelled and the business shall be put on the agenda for a meeting.

3 In the other bodies, circulation procedures may be carried out if a majority of the members agree thereto.

4 For the rest, the procedure shall be governed mutatis mutandis by §§ 39 and 40.

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Section 6: Communication, Confidentiality and Information

1 Communication regarding matters of the Faculty of Communication

is incumbent upon the Dean.

2 He or she may delegate this responsibility for individual areas.

3 Within their respective areas of responsibility, the Vice-Deans are,

in coordination with the Dean, responsible for communication.

Confidentiality

**1 Scope of Confidentiality:**

Confidentiality applies to

1. Appointment, promotion, and dismissal of professors,

2. Granting and withdrawal of Venia Legendi,

3. Awarding and withdrawal of honorary professorships,

4. Individual performance in doctorates and examinations,

5. Honorary doctorates,

6. Matters that the Dean or the Faculty body responsible for the

subject matter designates as confidential.

**2 Confidentiality of Names:**

Names must also be kept confidential in connection with other matters if their disclosure could diminish the reputation of the individuals concerned.

**3 Confidentiality of Deliberations:**

Anyone participating in Faculty bodies must not disclose how other participants voted or took a position.

**4 Post-Service Confidentiality:**

The obligation of confidentiality continues even after leaving office.

**5 Exceptions to Confidentiality:**

The obligation of confidentiality ceases if it is deemed appropriate in the interest of the Faculty or University or is necessary for the pursuit of other legitimate interests.

1 The Dean may, where it appears necessary, inform the members of the Faculty Assembly and third parties about matters subject to the duty of confidentiality under § 44.

2 Under the same conditions, he or she may authorize other persons to pass on information.

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3 The delegates of the constituencies have the right to inform the members of their respective constituency, orally or in writing, about the agenda items to be discussed in the faculty bodies and about the decisions made and recorded in the minutes. Subject to the duty of confidentiality, they may disclose the voting ratios, the essential motions, and the main views represented during the meeting, but not persons or names.

4 In matters of appointments, promotions, and teaching positions, the delegates of the constituencies may inform about the motions of the faculty bodies to higher authorities, as well as about their own motions made and opinions expressed in the meetings of the faculty bodies. Decisions of the faculty bodies regarding restrictions on information, out of consideration for the personal rights of the individuals concerned, remain reserved.

Entry into force

Section 7: Final Provisions

1 This Organizational Regulations come into force

after approval by the Extended University Management on February 1, 2023.

2 It replaces the Organizational Regulations of the Faculty of Law

of the University of Zurich of July 3, 2018.

1 OS 78, 37; for justification, see ABI 2022-12-23. Approved by the Extended

University Management on December 13, 2022.

2 LS 101.

3 LS 175.2.

4 LS 415.11.

5 LS 415.111.

6 LS 415.21.

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