General Procedural Guarantees 1. Every person has the right in legal or administrative proceedings to have the case treated equally and fairly, and judged within a reasonable time. The parties have the right to be heard. Every person lacking the necessary means has the right to free legal assistance, unless the case appears to be without any chance of success. The person has moreover the right to free legal representation, to the extent that this is necessary to protect the person's rights.
Every person has the right to have legal disputes judged by a judicial authority.
The Confederation and the Cantons may in exceptional cases exclude judicial proceedings. Every person whose case must be judged in judicial proceedings has the right to have this done by a court that is established by law, has jurisdiction, and is independent and impartial. Exceptional tribunals are prohibited. A person against whom a civil action is brought has the right to have the case heard before the court at the person's domicile. Legislation may provide for another jurisdiction.