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Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant

The Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant ensures the protection of people throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood up to their succession. It intervenes when no satisfactory solution has been found for the person concerned within the family, with relatives or any other institution that can provide assistance.

Contacts

Address

Address

Rue des Glacis-de-Rive 6
1207 Genève

Contact details

Desk-telephone

Opening hours
10h-13h

Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant

Probate Registry (Justice of the peace)

Deposit of items upon death

Deposits of objects (e.g., apartment keys of the deceased) are allowed only during the opening hours of the adult and child protection Court. It is not possible to deposit them at the general enquiry Office.

Tribunal de protection de l’adulte et de l’enfant

Case postale 3950
1211 Genève 3

 

Greffe des successions (Justice de paix)

Case postale 3950
1211 Genève 3

 

Presidency and directorate

  • pierre_alain_chatelan_001_106x106.png

    Mr. Pierre-Alain CHATELAN

    President

  • severine_muller_001b-web_106x106.png

    Mrs. Séverine MULLER

    Director

Composition

Competences

The court has jurisdiction in matters of child protection, adult protection and estate management. It follows the evolution of the situation of the person(s) concerned, appoints a court agent if necessary and intervenes to adapt the judicial action to their needs. It is also competent in the delivery of certain administrative documents.

 

Child protection

The role of the court is to look after the interests, well-being, safety and proper development of children (0 to 18 years) by:

  • Setting parental rights (parental responsibility, custody, visitation rights and alimony)
  • Taking protective measures when necessary (instructions to parents, educational assistance, etc.)
  • Supervising deputies and guardians

It is also competent to issue certificates of parental responsibility.

For more information

 

Adult protection

The role of the court is to ensure the interests, well-being, safety and proper management of the administrative and financial affairs of vulnerable adults by:

  • Validating a person's own arrangements for care (advance care directive, patient decree)
  • Ruling on the statutory right to act as a representative entrusted by law to a close relative (spouse, registered partner, person living in the same household, descendants, father and mother, brothers and sisters)
  • Issuing protective measures when necessary (deputyships, care-related hospitalisation)
  • Supervising deputies

It is also competent to deliver the capacity to act certificates.

For more information

 

Succession management

The role of the court is to ensure that the distribution of the estate is carried out according to the wishes of the deceased in his/her will or according to the law, by:

  • Registering declarations of acceptance or renunciation of inheritance
  • Drawing up inventories that assess the value of the estate
  • Supervising the executor and other estate administrators

It is also competent to issue information regarding the identity of the heirs of a given succession.

For more information

 

Administrative documents

The court is competent to issue the following administrative documents:

 

The Tribunal de protection de l'adulte et de l'enfant does not provide legal advice.

Organization

A collegial and multidisciplinary jurisdiction

The court is composed of 9 tenured judges and an equal number of deputy judges.

In matters of adult and child protection, the judges are assisted by assessors who are psychiatrists, psychologist, and social and health specialists providing technical insight to the tenured or deputy judges. In principle, three judges sit on the panel: the judge and two assessors from different professional groups.

In matters of succession, the tenured judge sits as a single judge.

The court is composed of collaborators (clerks, jurists, supervisors, auditors, and support staff) who ensure the administrative and legal follow-up of the applications. They work in close collaboration with the judges.

The activity of the court is described each year in the activity report of the Judiciary Power.

Thematic guides

Adoption

You want to adopt and are looking for information on the proceedings to follow?

Deputies and protection appointees

On this page, you will find useful information on their appointment, mission, remuneration, supervision and on the end of the mandate.

Adult protection

The adult protection law intervenes when the interests or the well-being of the adult person are in danger.

Child protection

The child protection law intervenes when parental rights need to be set or to protect the child when his/her development is endangered.

Successions

You want to prepare your succession or know what actions to take following the death of a close relation.

See also

Civil law branch

The civil courts have jurisdiction to issue a final decision concerning disputes arising between individuals or legal entities.

Legal advice service and legal counsels

The Judiciary Power does not provide legal advice. You can contact the following associations and organizations.