Who holds judicial power (the judiciary) at federal level?
Wer hat auf Bundesebene die richterliche Gewalt (Judikative)?
Correct answer: B
- A the members of Parliamentdie Parlamentarierinnen und Parlamentarier
- B the Federal Supreme Courtdas Bundesgericht
- C the governmentsdie Regierungen
- D the militarydas Militär
Why
Judicial power lies with the courts. At federal level, the highest court is the Federal Supreme Court.
Common mistakes
- A: the members of Parliament
- Members of Parliament make laws (legislature). They do not deliver judgments.
- C: the governments
- Governments carry out the laws (executive). Judging is a matter for the courts.
Topic
Legislature, executive, judiciary (and the media)
In Switzerland the power of the state is divided among three branches. This is called the separation of powers. In German the word «Gewalt» here does not mean violence but power. No person and no authority should have all the power. The branches control each other. This prevents abuse of power. The separation of powers exists at all three levels of government: in the Confederation, in the cantons and in the municipalities.
The three powers control each other.
Legislature
Legislative
makes the laws
Confederation
Federal Assembly
Bundesversammlung
National Council 200 + Council of States 46
Canton of Zurich
Cantonal Council
Kantonsrat
180 members
Executive
Exekutive
carries out the laws
Confederation
Federal Council
Bundesrat
7 members
Canton of Zurich
Cantonal Government
Regierungsrat
7 members
Judiciary
Judikative
judges according to the law
Confederation
Federal Supreme Court
Bundesgericht
Lausanne
Canton of Zurich
Courts
Fourth power the media, which observe politics and the authorities critically.
How the state works
Separation of powers
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 68 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.