1 State - People - Authorities - 15 Authorities - 152 Council of State and Cantonal Administration - Chapter One Definition and Scope of Application

This Protocol Regulation includes all the rules to be observed regarding etiquette, precedence, and practices in ceremonies, events, and official relations.

1. These rules apply to the public relations of the Canton of Neuchâtel in general, and to those of the Council of State, the Grand Council, and the judicial authorities in particular.

2. Not being exhaustive, they shall serve as a guide in cases not expressly provided for.

3. The Council of State shall consult the office of the Grand Council and the Administrative Commission of the judicial authorities for any amendments to these regulations.

4. In relations or events at the federal level, these regulations are complementary to the federal protocol which will be applied.

1. The order of precedence to be observed during official events and receptions is outlined in the table appended to these regulations.

2. Since public relations of the canton fall under the jurisdiction of the executive branch, the Council of State presides over cantonal events that have this character.

3. When two individuals are of the same rank, precedence is determined by seniority in the position or mandate, alternatively by age.

1 As a general rule, the speaker with the highest rank delivers their speech last.

1. During ceremonial events, it is recommended, in order not to prolong speeches, to personally greet the main authorities and individuals with a special connection to the event. A generic salutation is used for other participants.

2. As a general rule, only the first speaker greets those present in detail.

Members of the Council of State wear attire appropriate to the circumstances, generally city attire.

**1. Flags are hoisted at the Château, on the Prison Tower, and on certain important cantonal administrative buildings on the following occasions:**

– March 1st (anniversary of Neuchâtel Independence): Swiss and Neuchâtel flags

– May 5th (Europe Day): European flag

– August 1st (National Day): Swiss and Neuchâtel flags

– September 12th (anniversary of the entry of the Canton of Neuchâtel into the Confederation): Swiss and Neuchâtel flags

– October 24th (United Nations Day): United Nations flag

– Installation of authorities at the beginning of the legislature: Swiss and Neuchâtel flags.

**2. The Neuchâtel flag is hoisted on the roof of the Grand Council chamber during its sessions.**

**3. During visits of cantonal governments, ambassadors, heads of state, or foreign governments, the flag of the concerned canton or state is hoisted inside the courtyard of the Château, surrounded by the Swiss and Neuchâtel flags.**

**4. Flags are flown at half-mast during important mourning periods (see funerals).**

**5. The Council of State is competent to order flag displays under circumstances other than those listed above or to deviate from the latter.**

1. The Council of State does not host a reception on Sundays.

2. If the guest is accompanied by a spouse, the spouses of the members of the Council of State present at the reception are also invited to participate.

1. The Council of State as a whole receives the new members of the Federal Council for a courtesy visit, usually within the year following their election. The reception, which includes a working session and a shared meal, is held at the Château or the Abbey of Bevaix.

2. When it comes to a visit organized by third parties, provided there is an official invitation, the Council of State generally delegates one of its members.

1. In general, the Council of State receives, upon their request, two ambassadors from countries with which the canton maintains special ties, neighboring countries of Switzerland, or permanent member countries of the United Nations Security Council, each year.

2. The delegation is composed of two members of the Council of State and the State Chancellor.

3. The reception includes a protocol session at the end of the morning, a visit to the Castle, a shared meal, and may conclude with a cultural or economic visit at the ambassador's choice.

4. A gift is presented to the ambassador as well as to the members of their delegation.

1. The President of the Council of State and the State Chancellor receive, upon their request, the Consuls General who have jurisdiction in the Canton of Neuchâtel.

2. The reception takes place at the Château and is followed by a communal meal.

3. A gift is presented to the Consul General.

1. During the visit of a confederate government, the reception is generally held at the Château.

2. The visit may last one or two days.

3. Official speeches are typically delivered at the first shared meal.

4. The program includes an excursion, visit, or cultural activity, and a gift is presented to the guests of the Council of State.

1. The Council of State travels en masse or in delegation on the day of the election to the Federal Palace.

2. The State Chancellery organizes an aperitif on site.

3. The Council of State sends a letter of congratulations.

4. The Council of State organizes a reception open to the public jointly with the municipality, in principle, of residence, and shares the costs with the latter.

The Council of State is expressed as follows

– letter of congratulations;

– reception jointly organized with the municipality of the principal residence and sharing of costs with the latter.

Once a year, in principle on the occasion of the change of presidency, the government organizes a meeting with former members of the Council of State, as well as former State Chancellors.

The State Council is not represented on Sundays and public holidays, except on the occasion of events of cantonal, national, international significance, or religious celebrations.

Except for the celebration of significant anniversaries such as a 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th anniversary, or more, the Council of State is not represented at private events of a commercial nature.

1. When responding to an invitation, the Council of State is generally represented by one of its members.

2. It may also be represented by the State Chancellor, a head of department, or a member of the Bureau of the Grand Council.

1. Members of the Council of State participating privately in an event, do not, in principle, speak.

2. In the case of official representation of the Council of State, the latter must be informed of the private participation of other government members.

The Council of State or one of its members may agree to be part of honorary committees or to assume the patronage of events when they hold a general interest or concern the entire canton.

1. A reception wine is granted during events of an international, national, and inter-cantonal nature taking place on Neuchâtel territory.

3. When a reception wine is served outside State buildings at the request of interested parties and a corkage fee is charged, the latter is the responsibility of the event organizers.

4. If they meet the criteria set out in paragraphs 1 and 2, the Council of State may offer reception wines jointly with other authorities, notably municipal ones.

5. The State Chancellery is responsible for the granting of reception wines.

During the installation of the authorities at the beginning of the legislative session, the order of the procession is as follows

– Grand Council.

Upon the reception of the President of the Grand Council in their municipality, in the event of an organized procession, the order shall be as follows

– other invited persons.

During the reception, the order of the procession organized in the municipality of the elected individual is as follows

– former members of the Neuchâtel Federal Council;

Then

– Neuchâtel judicial authorities;

Then

– municipal banner;

– Municipal Council;

– General Council;

– Municipal Councils and representatives of other Neuchâtel municipalities;

– guests;

– municipal banners;

– music corps.

1. The State Chancellery is responsible for relations with the official band and drum corps.

2. A symbolic remuneration is granted for performances officially requested in the name of the Council of State.

3. If these performances take place outside the canton, the State may provide a contribution to transportation costs, subject to prior agreement. Other costs shall be borne by organizing parties.

1. The wishes of the deceased person or their family are decisive in the organization of the funeral.

2. The State Chancellery organizes, in agreement with the family, the official funerals of the members of the Council of State, the President of the Grand Council, as well as the State Chancellor.

3. The State Chancellery offers its collaboration to the family of the deceased for the arrangement of funerals for personalities in which public authorities are represented.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

- flags at half-mast.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

- letter of condolences to the family.

The Council of State acts as follows

– Delegation of the Council of State, including the State Chancellor or Deputy Chancellor, accompanied by a bailiff;

– Wreath in the colors of Neuchâtel;

– Letters of condolence to the family and the Federal Council.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

- letters of condolence to the family and federal authorities.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

- flags at half-mast.

The State Council expresses itself as follows

– depending on connections with the canton: possible delegation of the State Council.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

– letter of condolences to the government;

– possible delegation of the Council of State according to the ties with the concerned canton or deceased person.

The Council of State is expressed as follows

– delegation of the Chancellor of State.

The Council of State manifests as follows

– Council of State with usher;

– address by the president;

– notification to the Federal Council, cantonal governments, Federal Tribunal, and members of parliament;

– death notice;

– wreath in Neuchâtel colors;

– letter of condolences to the family;

– flags at half-mast.

The Council of State expresses itself as follows

- letter of condolences to the family.

The Council of State manifests itself as follows

– Council of State in full with bailiff or usher;

– announcement to the Federal Chancellery, cantonal governments, deputies;

– death notice;

– wreath in Neuchâtel colors;

– letter of condolences to the family.

The Grand Council and the State Council manifest themselves as follows

– State Council in full with usher;

– Grand Council;

– Speech by a member of the Bureau of the Grand Council;

– Notification to the members of the Grand Council;

– Obituary notice;

– Wreath in Neuchâtel colors;

– Flags at half-mast;

– Remembrance of the deceased at the beginning of the next session.

The Grand Council and the Council of State express themselves as follows

– delegation of the Council of State;

– office of the Grand Council;

– address by the president or a member of the office;

– notification to the members of the Grand Council;

– obituary notice;

– wreath in Neuchâtel colors;

– remembrance of the deceased person at the beginning of the nearest session.

The Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities and the Council of State manifest themselves as follows

– Council of State in corpore with process server or bailiff;

– speech by a member of the Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities;

– notification to judicial authorities, personal letter to members of the Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities;

– obituary notice;

– wreath in Neuchâtel colors.

The Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities and the Council of State express themselves as follows

– Delegation from the Council of State;

– Speech by the President of the Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities;

– Notification to Judicial Authorities, personal letter to members of the Administrative Commission of Judicial Authorities;

– Obituary notice;

– Wreath in Neuchâtel colors.

The Council of State is expressed as follows

- wreath in the colors of Neuchâtel.

**1 In the event of a disaster affecting the entire canton or a part of it, the Council of State shall act as follows:**

c) delegation of the Council of State to any possible funerals.

**2. Depending on the scale of the event, the Council of State associates the presidency of the Grand Council with the procedures provided for in letters b) and c) of paragraph 1.**

**3. If the disaster affects a region in another canton, the Council of State shall act as follows:**

b) possible granting of aid intended for the affected population.

**4. The provisions laid out by the decree concerning the organization of crisis and disaster management of the Canton of Neuchâtel (ORCCAN), dated February 17, 2014, are reserved.**

The State Council honors individuals residing in the canton who are celebrating their hundredth birthday by sending them a floral message.

The use of the Council of State room located at the Abbey of Bevaix is reserved for current members, as well as former male and female members of the Council of State.

The illumination of public buildings on the occasion of a demonstration or a particular event is subject to authorization from the Council of State.

The State Chancellery is responsible for the implementation of this regulation, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Grand Council regarding the parliament, and the General Secretariat of the judicial authorities concerning the judicial magistracy.

1. The Protocol Regulation of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel, dated November 13, 2002 [3], is repealed.

2. The Decree concerning Persons Becoming Centenarians, dated January 8, 2003 [4], is repealed.

1. This regulation shall enter into force on January 1, 2023.

2. It shall be published in the Official Gazette and inserted into the Compendium of Neuchâtel Legislation.