In Switzerland, only admitted attorneys may commercially represent clients in court. Any admitted attorney can represent clients in any area of law in front of all courts in Switzerland, cantonal or federal. A distinction between barristers and solicitors is unknown to the Swiss legal profession.

To be admitted to the bar, a lawyer must complete a Bachelor of Law (BLaw, which involves 3 years of reading at a university), a Master of Law (MLaw, which lasts three terms), a one-year to two years apprenticeship (depending on the Canton), and pass the bar exam. Also, the admission requires the registration with a cantonal bar.

European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) attorneys are free to occasionally represent clients in Swiss courts. If they regularly represent clients in Swiss courts, a registration exam with the cantonal bar must be passed. Non-EU or -EFTA nationals must successfully acquire a master's degree in law from a Swiss University, pass the bar exam and fulfil all other prerequisites for admission to the bar.