Protection of legitimate expectations

Protection of legitimate expectations, rooted in good faith, limits abrupt state action that contradicts reliable official conduct. In Swiss law it matters when an authority gives a clear assurance, acts within its competence or appears competent, the person relies on it in good faith, and has taken disadvantageous steps that cannot easily be reversed. Protection may lead to maintaining an expectation, transitional arrangements, or compensation, but it yields to overriding public interests and lawful changes of general rules.