Dr. Benjamin Schumacher, MJur

Representation of a corporation and its board of directors against its former members of the board and management as well as former advisers which caused the company significant losses in connection with a fraudulent cross-border restructuring scheme.

Defended the chairman of a board in director liability litigation in connection with a post-M&A dispute, where a shareholder of the newly formed joint venture challenged the transaction and also initiated claims for damages against the chairman and other members of the board.

Advised a corporation and its board during the pre-litigation phase of a cross-border asset sale involving the defence against hostile minority shareholders and the mitigation of liability risks.

Representation of a corporation and its board of directors in a dispute with a minority shareholder. The litigation concerned the issue whether a minority shareholder (with a 20% participation) can demand the retroactive application of a so-called recognised accounting standard (i.e., IFRS, Swiss GAAP FER, US GAAP or IPSAS). 

Defending a member of the board of directors in three related liability cases, some of which before the Commercial Court of Zurich and in appeal proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. 

Representation of a manager in a dispute concerning the payment of a significant sign-on bonus agreed with a multinational group of companies. 

Representation of a contractor in a dispute concerning the claims for payment in connection with a joint venture agreement. 

Representation of a a family owned and ran company concerning the payment of fees for consultancy and brokerage services. 

Defending a client in a litigation concerning the sale and purchase of a rare and very precious classic sports car (Ferrari California Sypder Covered Eyes). After the client sold his classic car for a record-braking price of nearly EUR 16 million, a third party, a company domiciled in Germany, claimed the payment of a significant commission fee for an alleged brokerage of the sale and purchase of the classic car. 

Representation of a pharmaceutical company against its insurers with regard to the recovery of liability and defense costs incurred in the underlying US litigation and damages due to liability after the client was served with an US class action lawsuit involving hundreds of plaintiffs. The insurance tower provides for CHF 150 million in coverage. 

Representation of a German professional football club in enforcement proceedings against a Swiss company (debtor) 

Representation of an internationally operating bank against three different insurance carriers in three different proceedings. The dispute concerns the bank’s business liability insurance programme. The value in dispute was in excess of CHF 50 million. The underlying liability dispute was in the middle east. 

Representation of a multinational agrochemical corporation in a coverage dispute against its insurance tower consisting of three layers and 14 insurers, providing coverage for USD 650 million in total. The arbitration proceedings seated in Switzerland under the Swiss Rules of Arbitration is against all eight co-insurers providing coverage for the first excess layer (USD 250 million). The underlying liability proceedings were in the US (multi district litigation) with hundreds of plaintiffs. 

Representation of a multinational corporation in a coverage dispute against its insurance tower consisting of four layers and 16 insurers, providing for coverage of USD 675 million in total. The seat of the arbitration was Switzerland and the Swiss Rules of Arbitration applied. The coverage dispute arose after the policyholder and certain co-insured entities were sued by thousands of US plaintiffs in a nation-wide class action and after the damage claims ended by means of a settlement pursuant to which the policyholder was obligated to pay compensation of more than USD 1.5 billion. 

Recognition and enforcement (incl. attachment of assets and setting aside objections against enforcement proceedings) of an arbitral award rendered by a tribunal seated in London under the rules of the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) in London. 

Recognition of an arbitral award rendered by a tribunal seated in Paris under the ICC-Rules. 

Recognition of an arbitral award rendered by a tribunal seated in Vienna under the VIAC-Rules. 

Representation in arbitration proceedings seated in Switzerland with under the Swiss Rules of Arbitration. After the insurer disputed the validity of the arbitration agreement contained in the insurance policy, the proceedings were limited to the question of jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal. The representation included proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court which confirmed the existence of the arbitration agreement. 

Advice of a private bank in connection with arbitration proceedings in London under the LCIA Arbitration Rules pertaining to a worldwide business liability insurance policy, provided by several insurance carriers. The underlying liability case concerns a claim against the bank brought by a former client demanding payment of damages in excess of EUR 80 million. 

Advised a corporate client in the financial sector on the structuring and renewal of its international business liability insurance program.

Advised a global insurance broker on the drafting of excess layer policies across several business lines.

Advised and represented a pharmaceutical company in a pre-litigation matter concerning coverage for losses related to the manufacture of medical products.

Advised and represented an international sports federation during underlying liability proceedings brought against the federation as well in the pre-litigation phase against its insurers. The case concerned coverage of liability and defence costs under the federation’s international business liability policy.

Represented a group of companies active in the private equity, funds and investment business. The clients were tied in complex and multi-jurisdiction litigation during which the clients incurred significant defence costs for which they seek insurance coverage under their worldwide venture capital insurance policy.

Representation of a pharmaceutical company against its insurers with regard to the recovery of liability and defense costs incurred in the underlying US litigation and damages due to liability after the client was served with an US class action lawsuit involving hundreds of plaintiffs. The insurance tower provides for CHF 150 million in coverage.

Representation of an internationally operating bank against three different insurance carriers in three different proceedings. The dispute concerns the bank’s business liability insurance programme. The value in dispute was in excess of CHF 50 million. The underlying liability dispute was in the middle east.

Representation of a group of medical clinics in a dispute against an insurer concerning coverage for business interruption. The dispute arose in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis after the Swiss Federal Government had imposed a ban on hospitals and clinics to carry out medical treatments other than those necessary for treatment of Covid-19 patients. The value in dispute was CHF 7 million.

Advising a financial institution in connection with the renewal of its global D&O policies.

Representation of a multinational trading company against a its insurer in a multimillion coverage claim in connection with the corporations’ global business liability insurance with provided for coverage of product recall costs. The underlying liability concerned a recall of more than 22,000 electronic devices from the Australian market. The value in dispute was in excess of USD 30 million.

Representation of an asset management company in connection with professional legal protection insurance policy which provided for coverage of legal defence costs.

Representation of a multinational corporation specialising in products and services for electrical and optical connectivity in a claim for insurance coverage after the corporation became the victim of a targeted cyberattack. The value in dispute was EUR 10 million.

Advising an insurance broker on the drafting of polices purchased on the London market (Lloyd’s of London). The focus of our advice was on the (potential) enforcement of coverage provided by syndicates.

Representation of a domestic wood manufacturer and processor whose business has been severely affected by a fire in one of its premises. The case concerns a claim for coverage for business interruption and property damage.

Representation of a domestic company providing services for car repair and tuning after a fire in one of its business premises. The case concerns a claim for coverage for business interruption and property damage.

Representation of a multinational agrochemical corporation in a coverage dispute against its insurance tower consisting of three layers and 14 insurers, providing coverage for USD 650 million in total. The arbitration proceedings seated in Switzerland under the Swiss Rules of Arbitration is against all eight co-insurers providing coverage for the first excess layer (USD 250 million). The underlying liability proceedings were in the US (multi district litigation) with hundreds of plaintiffs.

Representation of a multinational corporation in a coverage dispute against its insurance tower consisting of four layers and 16 insurers, providing for coverage of USD 675 million in total. The seat of the arbitration was Switzerland and the Swiss Rules of Arbitration applied. The coverage dispute arose after the policyholder and certain co-insured entities were sued by thousands of US plaintiffs in a nation-wide class action and after the damage claims ended by means of a settlement pursuant to which the policyholder was obligated to pay compensation of more than USD 1.5 billion.

Representation in arbitration proceedings seated in Switzerland with under the Swiss Rules of Arbitration. After the insurer disputed the validity of the arbitration agreement contained in the insurance policy, the proceedings were limited to the question of jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal. The representation included proceedings before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court which confirmed the existence of the arbitration agreement. 

Advice of a private bank in connection with arbitration proceedings in London under the LCIA Arbitration Rules pertaining to a worldwide business liability insurance policy, provided by several insurance carriers. The underlying liability case concerns a claim against the bank brought by a former client demanding payment of damages in excess of EUR 80 million. 

Representation of a corporation and its board of directors against its former members of the board and management as well as former advisers which caused the company significant losses in connection with a fraudulent cross-border restructuring scheme.

Advised and represented foreign insolvency trustees (from England, Germany, Sweden) in cross-border litigation and enforcement proceedings.

Representing and advising the insolvency administrator of a Lithuanian bank in asset recovery proceedings in Switzerland, involving attachment, enforcement, auxiliary bankruptcy and criminal proceedings as well as international mutual assistance. 

Representing and advising a Portuguese bank group in auxiliary bankruptcy proceedings in Switzerland with regard to the collection of assets on the territory of Switzerland. 

Representing and advising an English insolvency trustee of several insolvent entities in connection with an international fraud scheme, including the recognition and enforcement of winding-up and bankruptcy orders issued by the High Court of England and Wales. 

Recognition and enforcement (incl. attachment of assets and setting aside objections against enforcement proceedings) of an arbitral award rendered by a tribunal seated in London under the rules of the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) in London. 

Representing a German insolvency administrator with regard to the recognition and enforcement of a German insolvency order and the enforcement of claims against a global cooperation (the defendant) specialising in the planning and construction of waste incineration plants. 

Recognition and enforcement of judgement rendered in Luxembourg (incl. attachment of assets) in connection with an aviation service agreement against sanctioned entities. 

Recognition and enforcement of an arbitral award rendered by a tribunal seated in Vienna under the VIAC-Rules.

Benjamin Schumacher, The Legal 500: Insurance Disputes Comparative Guide, Chapter Switzerland, Mai 2024 (legal500.com/guides/chapter/switzerland-insurance-disputes/?export-pdf) 

Benjamin Schumacher, Kommentierung von Art. 2-4 und 59-62 LugÜ, in: C. Oetiker/T. Weibel (Hrsg.), Basler Kommentar zum Lugano-Übereinkommen, 3. Auflage, Basel 2023 (together with Roberto Dallafior) 

Benjamin Schumacher/Florentin Weibel, Ohne Vorschuss (k)ein Anwaltshonorar? – Überblick zur neusten Praxis betreffend die Entbindung vom Anwaltsgeheimnis, in: Bohnet/Chappuis/Schiller/Schumacher (Hrsg.), Gegenwart und Zukunft des Anwaltsverbandes, Festschrift zum 125. Jubiläum des Schweizerischen Anwaltsverbandes, Bern 2023, S. 429-452

Benjamin Schumacher / Roberto Dallafior, Insurance Litigation 2022 – Chapter Switzerland, Chambers And Partners, 22. August 2022 (available here)

Benjamin Schumacher / Patrick Dummermuth, D&O-Versicherung – Ausgewählte Fragen zur "Side A"-Deckung, Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 3/2022, S. 350 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher, Auslegung einer Deckungsklausel – primäre und sekundäre Risikoabgrenzung (BGer 4A_72/2021 vom 28. März 2021), Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 1/2022, S. 32 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher / Patrick Dummermuth / Lukas Bubb, Das direkte Forderungsrecht im revidierten VVG – ein praxistaugliches Instrument?, Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 4/2021, S. 355 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher / Patrick Dummermuth, D&O-Versicherung – Rechtsstreitigkeiten sind reales Risiko, Handelszeitung Insurance, 31. Mai 2021 

Benjamin Schumacher, Anzeigepflichtverletzung bei Claims-made-Policen (BGer 4A_490/2019 vom 26. Mai 2020), Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 3/2020, S. 274 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher/Patrick Dummermuth, Die Verjährung von Rechtsschutzansprüchen, Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 1/2020, S. 33 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher, Vorsorgliche Beweisführung, in: Ulrich Haas/Reto Marghitola (eds.), Fachhandbuch Zivilprozessrecht, Zürich/Basel/Genf 2020, pp. 248–269 

Benjamin Schumacher, Prozessfinanzierung, in: Ulrich Haas/Reto Marghitola (eds.), Fachhandbuch Zivilprozessrecht, Zürich/Basel/Genf 2020, pp. 49–55 

Benjamin Schumacher, Anwaltliches Erfolgshonorar, in: Ulrich Haas/Reto Marghitola (eds.), Fachhandbuch Zivilprozessrecht, Zürich/Basel/Genf 2020, pp. 42–49 

Benjamin Schumacher, Verjährung und Verwirkung von Ansprüchen aus Versicherungsvertrag (BGer 4A_196/2019 vom 10. Juli 2019), Haftung und Versicherung – HAVE 4/2019, S. 399 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher, Neues zur Ausgestaltung von anwaltlichen Erfolgsprämien (pacta de palmario) (Besprechung von BGer 4A_125/2018 vom 26. Juli 2018), Allgemeine Juristische Praxis (AJP/PJA) 27 (2018) Nr. 8, S. 1290 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher/Simon Bachmann, Verjährung von Verlustscheinen nach Art. 149a Abs. 1 SchKG im internationalen Kontext (Besprechung von BGer 5A_375/2017 vom 13. Juni 2018), Allgemeine Juristische Praxis (AJP/PJA) 27 (2018) Nr. 8, S. 1034 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher, Richterliche Pflicht zum Hinweis auf private Prozessfinanzierung? - Stellungnahme zum Vorentwurf des Bundesrates zur Teilrevision der ZPO, AJP 4/2018, S. 458 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher/Roberto Dallafior, Die Vereinbarung von Erfolgsprämien für den Anwalt - Bundesgerichtlicher Angriff auf die Vertragsfreiheit und was sonst zu beachten ist, AJP 11/2017, S. 1284 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher/Zoe Honegger, Klagen gegen einfache Streitgenossen: Handelsgericht, Bezirksgericht oder beide? – Eine kritische Betrachtung der Praxis im Kanton Zürich, Allgemeine Juristische Praxis (AJP/PJA) 26 (2017) Nr. 7, S. 863 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher/Simon Bachmann, Die «euro-international» ausgerichtete Anwaltskanzlei - Die Anwendbarkeit des Konsumentengerichtsgerichtsstands nach Art. 15 Ziff. 1 lit. c LugÜ?, Allgemeine Juristische Praxis (AJP/PJA) 26 (2017) Nr. 6, S. 710 ff. 

Benjamin Schumacher, Prozessfinanzierung, Erfolgshonorierte Fremdfinanzierung von Zivilverfahren, Dissertation, Zürich 2015 (Zürcher Studien zum Verfahrensrecht, Nr. 180 / Schulthess Verlag; ISBN/ISSN: 978-3-7255-7429-2) 

Benjamin Schumacher/Hans Nater, Prozessfinanzierung und anwaltliche Aufklärungspflichten, Schweizerische Juristen-Zeitung (SJZ) 112 (2016) Nr. 12, S. 43 ff. (Sonderheft zum 70. Geburtstag von Dr. Peter R. Isler) / Schulthess Verlag 

Benjamin Schumacher, Zweifelhafte Bundesgerichtspraxis zur vorsorglichen Beweisführung (Gedanken aus Anlass des Bundesgerichtsurteils 4A_334/2015 vom 22. September 2015), Plädoyer 34 (2016) Nr. 1, S. 36 ff.

"It’s about the wording, stupid", Willis Tower Watson (WTW) Risk Summit, 10 April 2025, Zurich

"Policy Drafting – Dos and Don'ts", Insurance Round Table (inhouse), 13 March 2025, Zurich

"Update on Insurance Disputes", Insurance Round Table (inhouse), 22 August 2024 and 26 September 2024, Zurich

"Das Anwaltsrecht, Hans Nater und wir", Symposium in honour of Hans Nater, 11 March 2024, Zurich 

"Das Informationsrecht des Versicherers nach Art. 39 VVG – «pre-trial discovery» durch die Hintertür?", Versicherungsrechtstagung Universität Zürich (Europa Institut), 26. Oktober 2023, Zürich 

"Policy Drafting – Dos and Don'ts", Insurance Round Table (inhouse), 8. Februar 2023, Zürich 

"Corporate Insurance – was, wenn der Versicherer nicht zahlt?", Insurance Round Table (inhouse), 22. September 2022, Zürich/Kloten 

"Insurance Disputes und Litigation Funding – ein Match?", Vortrag (inhouse), 1. März 2022 

"Versicherung von Unternehmensrisiken – was gilt es zu beachten?", Insurance Round Table (inhouse), 23. November 2021 

"Bauherrenhaftpflicht, Bauwesenversicherung etc.", Hochschule Luzern, CAS Baurecht, 31. August 2021, Horw/Luzern 

"Praktische Auswirkungen der bundesgerichtlichen Rechtsprechung auf die Organisation der Anwaltschaft", Vortrag und Podiumsgespräch, Zürcher Anwaltsverband, 26. Januar 2021, Zürich 

"Insurance Litigation: Wenn der Versicherer nicht zahlt", Vortrag (In-house), 14. November 2019, Zürich 

"Prozessfinanzierung - was muss ein Anwalt dazu wissen?", Vortrag und Panelgespräch, St. Galler Anwaltsverband, 26. Juni 2017, St. Gallen 

"Prozessfinanzierung in Erbsachen", Vortrag und Panelgespräch, Zürcher Anwaltsverband, Fachgruppe Erbrecht und Fachgruppe Zivilprozessrecht, 1. März 2016, Zürich