# Statutory Formalities and Document Validity

**Case Number:** ATAS/548/2007
**Citation:** CJ GE ATAS/548/2007
**Court / Authority:** Cour de Justice (Cour civile) (Chambre des assurances sociales)
**Decision Date:** 2007-05-22
**Outcome:** Partially Allowed
**Canonical Legislator URL:** https://legislator.ch/en/sources/case/ch/ge/ATAS-548-2007/statutory-formalities-and-document-validity
**Official Source URL:** https://justice.ge.ch/apps/decis/fr/atas/show/1960371?doc=
**Entscheidsuche Mirror:** https://entscheidsuche.ch/docs/GE_Gerichte/GE_CJ_014_A-1984-2006_2007-05-22.pdf

## Legislator summary

The petitioner sought to challenge a decision that found a document invalid due to procedural defects in its execution, specifically alleging non-compliance with witnessing and attestation requirements under a relevant statute. The court reasoned that the statutory language regarding execution formalities was mandatory, not directory, and that the purpose of these formalities—ensuring the document's authenticity and preventing fraud—was undermined by the acknowledged defects. Consequently, the court affirmed the lower court's finding that the document was invalid because the strict compliance required by the statute was absent.

## Legislator headnote

Art. 66 al. 1 LTF; Statutory Formalities and Document Validity: The court reasoned that the statutory language regarding execution formalities was mandatory, not directory, and that the purpose of these formalities—ensuring the document's authenticity and preventing fraud—was undermined by the acknowledged defects. Consequently, the court affirmed the lower court's finding that the document was invalid because the strict compliance required by the statute was absent.

## Keywords

procedural defects · strict compliance of documents · validity requirement · infringement of essential procedural requirements · fulfillment of statutory conditions · fraud

## Cited Legislation

[Art. 66 al. 1 LTF](https://legislator.ch/en/sources/law/ch/federal/173.110/66)

## Key legal questions extracted by Legislator

### 1. Art. 66 al. 1 LTF

Cited in the final orders regarding the allocation of court costs.

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