The programme

The Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Magistracy fills a gap in the current Swiss educational market, by teaching and honing skills in magistrates’ various fields of expertise; it offers a practice-focused, interdisciplinary approach, taking into account areas such as company management, psychology and communication sciences.

The brainchild of the Swiss Magistracy Academy, this certificate is jointly delivered by all the Law Faculties of Swiss universities, the Continuing Education Foundation of Swiss Judges, and the Swiss Judges’ Association. The management of the French language programme is entrusted to the University of Neuchâtel’s Faculty of Law, and that of the German language programme to the Faculty of Law at the University of Lucerne.

The CAS in magistracy deals with many different aspects of the profession of magistrate, and entails the following six modules:

• The judicature
• Communication
• Rules of evidence
• Conflict management
• Publicity and justice
• Questions of finance

The programme comprises two exams (each taken after three modules), and the writing of a final paper.