Why do Swiss neighbours leave notes?
The notes in the film are fiction; the real rule is what comes after them. In the canton of Zurich, a civil dispute, including neighbour cases about noise, shrubs or trees, with few exceptions goes first to the Friedensrichter, the local justice of the peace. More than two thirds of all disputes are settled there for good.
Ep. 45 · This is Ueli · 59 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
In the canton of Zurich, every political commune has one or more Friedensrichter, elected by the commune's voters, and they often have no thorough legal training, except in cities. Their job is to settle a dispute before it reaches a court. As a newcomer, talk to your neighbour first; if it goes further, the first stop is the Friedensrichter, not a courtroom.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. Elected, not trained. Almost every civil case starts here. Two thirds end here.
FRIEDENSRICHTER: literally: “peace judge”; really: the person you see before any court Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Knock first. Note second. Judge last.
Learn more: Arrival course, day 7: your rights as a tenant
The rule, explained
In the canton of Zurich, every political commune has one or more Friedensrichter, according to the Wegweiser 2025 published by the VFZH. Any eligible voter can be elected. With few exceptions, the Friedensrichter is the mandatory first stop on the way to court for civil claims, and more than two thirds of all disputes are settled there for good. The guide lists neighbour cases among them: noise, shrubs, trees. LAW.CH adds that the Friedensrichter is elected by the voters of the commune and often has no thorough legal training, except in cities. The notes in the film, and the laminated answer, are fiction. The knock is Ueli's own idea.
Sources: VFZH, Wegweiser 2025; LAW.CH, Im Kanton Zürich
Questions people ask
What is a Friedensrichter in Switzerland?
In the canton of Zurich, the elected justice of the peace of the commune and, with few exceptions, the mandatory first stop for civil claims (VFZH; LAW.CH).
Where do neighbour disputes go in Zurich?
First to the Friedensrichter. Noise, shrubs and trees are typical cases, and more than two thirds of disputes end there (VFZH).
More episodes
Previous: Is the Swiss Halbtax worth it? Next: How much can you bring back to Switzerland?