Federal Supreme Court ruling of 26 July 2019 (2C_653/2018): Administrative assistance to France regarding the identity of UBS clients

In a media release concerning the Federal Supreme Court ruling of 26 July 2019 (2C_653/2018), the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) announced that the FTA France may disclose information regarding the identity of UBS clients. The request for assistance submitted by France on the basis of lists of around 40,000 account and other bank numbers is not, in the opinion of the BGer, an illegal "fishing expedition". In view of the guarantees given by the French authorities to the Federal Administration, the principle of speciality does not justify a refusal to grant legal aid.

The Federal Supreme Court therefore upholds the FTA's appeal against the decision of the Federal Administrative Court.

Further details of the decision can be found in the press release issued by the BGer and the press release issued by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) on 26 July 2019.

The judgment shall be published after the written statement of grounds has been submitted.