Patrick Stach
Senior Partner | Dr. iur HSG | attorney-at-law, notary public
Profile
Patrick Stach studied law at the University of St.Gallen and graduated in 1987. He was admitted to the bar in 1989 and in 1991 he received his doctor’s degree.
He is a member of several boards of directors of national and international companies and foundations. Furthermore, he is a member of the management committee of the Euro-American Lawyers Group and former inter alia member of the Board of Governors of the University of St.Gallen (highest body at the University), therein he was inter alia responsible for the Swiss Business Institute of Small Business and Enterpreneurship and the Center for Family Business. Furthermore he was a member of the Board of Directors of Bank ODDO BHF (Schweiz) AG for several years until 2018.
Dr. Stach is the author of several publications on law-related topics in prestigious journals, i.a. Ärztezeitung and Finanz- und Wirtschaft. He further is the author of publications of Art. 707 – Art. 715a Code of Obligations (Board of Directors) in a substantial comment of the Code of Obligations. He also gives regular lectures on corporate, family, and inheritance law.
Practice areas
Patrick Stach acts as a consultant and as a counsel before all state courts an in (international) arbitration proceedings. His key business activities are corporate, commercial, contract law, banking and capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, labour law, construction law and inheritance law. As a notary public, he makes certifications and notarizations on the territory of the Canton of St.Gallen. He is also active as an executor of wills.
Since March 2015, due to his expertise and experience, the SIX Exchange Regulation has recognized Patrick Stach as a qualified representative under Article 43 Listing Rules in the areas equities (including participation certificates and dividend rights certificates), certificates of deposit and collective investments schemes.
Languages
- German
- English
- French
- Italian
- Spanish
Education
- Dr.iur. HSG, University of St.Gallen (1991)
- Bar admission as attorney-at-law and notary public (1989)
- lic.iur. HSG, University of St.Gallen (1987)
Other activities
- Euro-American Lawyers Group (EALG, member of the board)
- Doctoral Alumni Club (DAC) HSG (member of the board)
- Club 2000 – patronage association of TSV St.Otmar men’s Handball
- Member of the University Council of the University of St.Gallen (2014-2020)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Bank ODDO BHF (Switzerland) AG (2013-2018)
Presentations
- Lecture about networking (March 2026, Rotary-Club-Rheintal)
- Lecture about obstacles in startups and afterwards (September 2023, Startup@HSG)
- Lecture about data protection (June 2023, Ärzteverein)
- Lecture about the medicolegal aspect (September 2016, Symposium)
- Lecture on the legal stumbling blocks for physicians (March 2016, Ärzteverein).
- Pleading in court from the lawyer’s perspective (November 20, 2015, University of St. Gallen)
- Domicile Switzerland – Location Advantages for Companies and Individuals (October 18, 2007, Schloss Freudenfels)
- Lecture on the new product liability law (April 11, 1996, Swiss Marketing Club)
- The responsibility of the board of directors under public law
- Succession planning and succession regulation
- The construction lien
- Wills and executors: the testator’s manager?
- Legal Forms of Legal Entities in Switzerland & Acquisition of Real Estate by Foreigners
- The liability of the teacher
Memberships
- Swiss Lawyers Association
- Chamber of Industry and Commerce St.Gallen Appenzell (IHK)
- Economic Region of St.Gallen (wisg)
- Trade Association of the city of St.Gallen
- HSG Alumni
- HSG Law Alumni
- Club Baur au Lac Zürich
Competences
Contact
Focus
Interaction between Hotchpot (Advancement) and Reduction in the Case of Gratuitous Lifetime Gifts
With the inheritance law reform that entered into force on 1 January 2023, the system of compulsory shares was significantly restricted or, in part, abolished. A central principle of the revised law is that the statutory compulsory portions may not be infringed by a will, a marriage or inheritance contract, or by lifetime dispositions made by the deceased. If such an infringement nevertheless occurs, the compulsory heir concerned may assert a claim for hotchpot (advancement) or reduction, or, in the event of a dispute, may enforce the compulsory share through litigation.
Separation in cohabitation
Couples who live together without being married or in a registered partnership are said to be cohabiting (also known as non-marital cohabitation). Cohabitation is becoming increasingly common: since the 1950s and 1960s, the appeal of marriage has declined, while social acceptance of diverse family models such as cohabitation has increased. Despite this development, cohabitation has not yet been codified in civil law and therefore, strictly speaking, does not constitute an institution of family law. Rather, it is a de facto relationship to which case law attaches certain legal effects.
In the absence of specific provisions, the general principles and norms of private law apply, in particular those of the law governing simple partnerships (Art. 530 ff. OR). Those who separate while cohabiting therefore often face very practical but legally delicate questions.
Termination of a Lease Due to Urgent Need
The acquisition of a rented residential or commercial property regularly raises issues under tenancy law, particularly where the new owner intends to use the premises personally or to carry out structural alterations. A key question in this context is under which circumstances a lease may be lawfully terminated on the grounds of urgent personal need.
