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The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) is an agency of the Federal Department of Justice and Police.

The FOJ is responsible for legislative matters pertaining to constitutional and administrative law, private law and criminal law. It functions as an adviser to the rest of the Swiss government in all legislative matters and drafts advisory opinions. Being a supervisory agency, it oversees the commercial register, the civil status register and the land register as well as the acquisition of real estate by persons residing outside of Switzerland.

At the international level the FOJ represents Switzerland before the European Court of Human Rights and in numerous international organisations. In addition, it is the central authority in cases involving international child abduction and cooperates with national and international authorities in matters involving legal assistance and extradition.

At the national level the FOJ prepares the draft decrees addressed to the Federal Council in matters involving administrative appeals.

Last modification 13.09.2021

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