The main role performed by a lawyer in this area is to draw up a draft charter (a notary public also has to be involved in order to create a foundation), to advise the management body (association committee or foundation board) regarding legal aspects relating to its management, and potentially to oversee an application for tax exemption.
Creating an association is very straightforward in Switzerland: although registration in an official register is an option, this is not generally mandatory and the charter may even be very short, although there is a minimum body of essential provisions that need to be included. On the other hand, foundations have to be enrolled in the commercial register.
The firm r&associés has a variety of expert lawyers ready to advise you concerning all of these aspects.
