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Liechtenstein's courts and legal system

Liechtenstein has a court structure, appeal routes, a legal framework and an official legislation database. The published rules cover ordinary courts and constitutional and administrative review.

Three levels of ordinary courts

Liechtenstein's ordinary jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters has three levels. The Fürstliches Landgericht in Vaduz hears matters at first instance, the Fürstliches Obergericht at second instance, and the Fürstlicher Oberster Gerichtshof at third instance. The courts are seated in Vaduz. The constitutional framework states the same order and assigns court organization, procedure and fees to legislation.[2][3]

The third level is the final ordinary instance for civil and criminal matters. The Obergericht and Oberster Gerichtshof are collegiate courts. Civil matters at first instance are handled by one or more individual judges. Criminal jurisdiction at first instance is exercised at the Landgericht, with the Criminal Court or Youth Court also able to hear such matters under the stated framework.[2][3]

Administrative and constitutional review

The Oberster Gerichtshof also acts as the Verwaltungsgerichtshof, or Administrative Court. Subject to exceptions made by statute, constitutional text provides for complaints to that court against decisions or orders of the Government and specified commissions that take its place. The same court therefore has an administrative review function alongside its place at the top of ordinary jurisdiction.[2]

The Staatsgerichtshof is a court of public law. Its functions include review of laws, treaties and Government regulations, along with other constitutional functions.[3]

The constitutional rules describe civil procedure through orality, immediacy and free evaluation of evidence. Criminal proceedings also follow the accusation principle. These are principles for legislation governing civil disputes and criminal matters.[3]

Liechtenstein's legal system is organized through constitutional provisions and statutes. The organization, procedure and fees of the ordinary courts are set by law.[3]

Where legislation is published

Liechtenstein's Lilex database provides consolidated national law and treaty law. It allows searches across full text or by a law's title or abbreviation, and supports retrieval by publication number or legal-reference number.[1]

The database distinguishes national law from treaty law and lets users filter for provisions marked in force or repealed. Consolidated provisions in Lilex are for information and do not have legal effect. The listed publication and reference numbers provide an additional way to locate a particular legal instrument.[1]

Relevance for U.S. citizens

Lilex provides consolidated versions of Liechtenstein national and treaty law with amendments incorporated into the original enactments.

Related reading

Liechtenstein trusts for U.S. citizens provides the broader Liechtenstein overview. Readers can compare court structures in Cyprus courts and legal system structure and Malta's courts and legal system. Trust-specific background appears in Liechtenstein Trust Types and Foundations, while U.S. reporting topics are covered in Liechtenstein reporting and U.S. trust forms.

Questions and answers

What is the ordinary court appeal path in Liechtenstein?

The ordinary courts proceed from the Landgericht at first instance to the Obergericht at second instance and the Oberster Gerichtshof at third instance. The procedural rules specify the remedies available for particular matters.[4]

Does the Oberster Gerichtshof hear administrative complaints?

Yes. It also acts as the Verwaltungsgerichtshof. Subject to statutory exceptions, complaints may be made to it against Government decisions or orders and those of specified commissions.[2][3]

What does the Staatsgerichtshof do?

It acts as the court of public law, reviewing laws, treaties and Government regulations and carrying out other constitutional functions.[3]

Where can a U.S. citizen find Liechtenstein legislation?

Lilex provides consolidated national and treaty law. The database supports searches by full text, title or abbreviation and filters for national or treaty law and status.[1]

Related glossary terms

  • Administrative powers (grantor trust): Section 675 of the Internal Revenue Code describes administrative powers that can cause a grantor to be treated as owner of a trust portion, with limits.
  • Domestic trust: The IRS defines a domestic trust through its court test and control test, and the term appears in U.S. foreign trust reporting rules for U.S. citizens.

Related articles and guides

  • Cyprus courts and legal system structure: A structural guide for U.S. citizens to Cyprus courts, appeal levels, legal traditions and the publication of legislation, based on official descriptions.
  • Cook Islands courts and legal system: A guide for U.S. citizens to the Cook Islands court structure, court administration, appeal path, legal tradition and official sources for legislation.

Tools and official documents

  • IRS and FinCEN forms: reference pages: Reference pages for 15 IRS and FinCEN forms tied to foreign trusts, foreign accounts and entities, built from the official forms and their instructions.
  • Foreign trust reporting role finder: Tick the roles that describe a connection to a foreign trust or foreign account to see the forms the IRS and FinCEN instructions discuss. Roles can overlap.
Sources and data notes
  1. Fürstentum Liechtenstein, Lilex Gesetzesdatenbank, Konsolidiertes Recht. https://www.gesetze.li/konso/suche. Retrieved .
  2. Fürstliche Gerichte des Fürstentums Liechtenstein, Über die Gerichte. https://www.gerichte.li/die-gerichte/ueber-die-gerichte. Retrieved .
  3. Rechtsdienst der Regierung, Lilex, Gesetzesdatenbank des Fürstentums Liechtenstein, Verfassung (LV). https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/1921.015. Retrieved .
  4. Rechtsdienst der Regierung, Lilex, Gesetzesdatenbank des Fürstentums Liechtenstein, Gerichtsorganisationsgesetz (GOG). https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2007348000?version=9. Retrieved .

Dates in this block record when each source was read for this page.