Advokatur Giroud-Kaiser

The law firm was founded in 2022 and focuses on conflict avoidance, conflict counseling, and representation before administrative authorities and courts. I work professionally, with dedication, and in a solution-oriented manner. I support you in your affairs efficiently, pragmatically, personally, and reliably.

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday

Appointments by arrangement. Also available during lunchtime or in the evening. I look forward to hearing from you.

ABOUT

ANDREA GIROUD-KAISER

Attorney and Mediator SAV
*1978
Married, three children
Practicing since 2008
Member of the Bernese and Swiss Bar Associations

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EDUCATION

2021 Mediator SAV
2005 State examination as lawyer
2002 lic.iur. University of Fribourg

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

After completing the necessary internships, I worked as a court clerk in the criminal division (district court) of what is now the Bern-Mittelland judicial district from 2004 to 2005. After passing the bar exam in 2005, I moved to the civil division of the same judicial district, where I worked until 2008.

In 2008, I moved to the law firm Kellerhals Hess (now Kellerhals Carrard) and in 2009 to Lemann, Walz & Partner, where I worked as a lawyer until I moved into administration. From 2014 to 2019, I worked as a specialist at the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), Legal, Hydropower and Waste Management Division (RWE), Electricity, Pipeline and Water Law Section (EW) in the Sectoral Plan and Plan Approval Procedure Service (SP). In 2019, I returned to Lemann, Walz & Partner, where I worked as a lawyer and mediator SAV until I became self-employed in 2022.

LAW

I advise my clients on all legal matters. With foresight, impending conflicts can be identified at an early stage and smoldering and open conflicts can be resolved. In this regard, I support you in discussions, draw up legal documents and contracts for you, inform you about your rights, and help you find out-of-court settlements. Your interests should be protected without litigation whenever possible.

If your rights can only be enforced by appealing to an administrative or administrative judicial authority or a cantonal or federal civil or criminal court, I will represent you throughout Switzerland as a lawyer registered in the Canton of Bern's register of lawyers.

MEDIATION

In out-of-court dispute resolution proceedings, I support the parties to the conflict as an independent and impartial third party so that you can resolve your conflict through negotiation on your own responsibility and by mutual agreement.

I ensure that your conflicts are carefully recorded and processed.

AREAS OF LAW

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Do you have questions regarding the preparation of application documents for large infrastructure projects, or do you need assistance with a federal planning approval procedure or negotiations with parties affected by your project?

Do you want to obtain a building permit, a zoning or land use plan, or adapt or implement a local or hydraulic engineering plan? Do you need assistance in having a building permit refused or a zoning or land use plan rejected?

I would be happy to support you with my expertise in the following areas of law:

• Energy law
• Infrastructure law
• Construction and planning law
• Water engineering law
• Expropriation law
• Environmental protection law
• Road traffic law (administrative measures)

CIVIL LAW

Do you need assistance in settling a separation or divorce? Do you have questions about maintenance law or possible forms of care? Would you like to provide legal security for your cohabiting partner? Do you need assistance in matters of inheritance law?

Are you stuck with questions about labor or tenancy law, or is a dispute brewing in your condominium owners' association? Are you a builder, planner, or contractor facing legal claims, or do you need help enforcing a claim for defective workmanship?

Below you will find my preferred areas of practice in this regard:

• Family law
  (marriage, separation, divorce, and inheritance law)
• Child and adult protection law
• Property law
  (including condominium owners' associations)
• Contract
  (tenancy, employment, contract for work and services, agency law, etc.)

CRIMINAL LAW

Do you have questions about impending penalties in connection with traffic violations? Do you need assistance in clarifying traffic regulations or vehicle requirements?

My expertise in this area focuses on the following field of law:

• Road traffic law

MEDIATION

Do you need to overcome communication barriers, clarify your needs, and develop sustainable solutions?

I would be happy to assist you in the following areas:

• Conflict resolution
• Consulting
• Traditional mediation
• Process design in complex and tense public and private projects (especially construction and planning law)

COSTS

The attorney's fee is primarily based on the agreement with the client (Art. 40 Attorney Act [KAG; BSG 168.11] and Party Costs Ordinance [PKV; BSG 168.811]). If no fee agreement exists, the tariff regulations in accordance with the Bernese Ordinance on the Assessment of Party Costs (Party Costs Ordinance, PKV) apply.

Both legal services and those related to mediation are generally billed on the basis of an agreed hourly fee according to the time spent. Expenses (telephone charges, postage, photocopies, car expenses, etc.) and value added tax are billed additionally.