Chiara Piras

Bundesverwaltungsgericht - Tribunal administratif fédéral

Based in St Gallen, the Federal Administrative Court (FAC) is comprised of six divisions and a General Secretariat. There are also four executive bodies within the FAC: the Court Presidium, the Plenary Court, the Presidential Council and the Administrative Commission. The FAC's five divisions and corresponding chambers handle all legal matters. With 76 judges and 350 support staff, the FAC is the largest federal court in Switzerland. The FAC judges complaints against decisions rendered by Swiss federal authorities. In certain matters, the FAC may also examine decisions rendered by cantonal authorities. In individual cases, it may issue judgments in complaints proceedings. Where the FAC is the lower instance court, its judgments may be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.