Association appeal

An association appeal is a form of standing granted to organisations rather than only to directly affected individuals. In Switzerland it is important in fields such as environmental, nature protection, heritage protection and disability equality law, where qualified associations may challenge decisions affecting protected interests. The right is usually statutory and subject to conditions, such as a non-profit purpose, sufficient duration of activity and a link between the association’s aims and the dispute. It enables enforcement of public-interest norms without turning every organisation into a general supervisory body.