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Portrait ofSibylle Schnyder

Dr Sibylle Schnyder, LL.M.

Partner
Certified Specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law

CMS von Erlach Partners Ltd
Dreikönigstrasse 7
P.O. Box
8022 Zurich
Switzerland
Languages German, English, French

Sibylle Schnyder specialises in real estate law and mainly deals with real estate acquisitions and divestments, portfolio transactions, construction and development projects, landlord and tenant law, real estate financing, sale & rent back transactions and real estate related litigation.

Among the clients of Sibylle Schnyder are Swiss and foreign institutional real estate investors, companies with corporate real estate matters and individuals.Her tasks include, amongst others, the legal due diligence of properties and real estate projects, drafting and negotiating of contracts (in particular purchase, construction and lease agreements as well as management agreements) and the assistance with all questions arising in connection with the realisation of real estate projects (such as environmental and regulatory aspects, Lex Koller etc.).

Sibylle Schnyder deals with commercial and residential buildings all over Switzerland. In addition, Sibylle Schnyder has longstanding experience with hotel and leisure properties, holiday homes, senior citizen homes, logistics buildings, shopping malls and other special real properties.

Sibylle Schnyder joined CMS Zurich in 2002 and is a partner since 2013.

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Dr. Stefan Gerster: Exceptional track record in real estate institutional transactions Dr. Sybille Schnyder: Exceptional track record in real estate institutional transactions.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real Estate and Construction, 2023

Individuals to be mentioned: Stefan Gerster, Sibylle Schnyder, Thomas Zweifel.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Real Estate and Construction, 2023

Clients note her "large track record," and add that "she is very client- and business-oriented."

Chambers & Partners, Europe, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2022

WWL says: According to one client, Sibylle Schnyder "brings broad expertise in real estate law, possesses good business acumen and is solutions-oriented.”

Who's Who Legal, Construction & Real Estate, Switzerland, 2016

Clients recommend Sibylle Schnyder for her strong work in contracts, property purchase agreements and private building law. Her expertise also covers transactions, tenancy law, construction law and hotel agreements. Commentators appreciate that "she is willing to dig very deeply and come up with good solutions."

Chambers and Partners, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2016

According to sources, Sibylle Schnyder is "efficient, focused and reliable. She is deal-oriented and finds creative solutions to get the deal done." Clients also highlight her efficiency: "If you drop something on her desk it will be dealt with in time and to a high standard."

Chambers and Partners, Real Estate, Switzerland, 2015

Relevant experience

  • Advising Deka Immobilien on the acquisition of Pictet's headquarters in Geneva
  • Advising UBS AG regarding the sale of a five star hotel in the historic center of Zurich (Hotel Widder) together with adjacent properties and the operating company
  • Advising Acron Helvetia II Immobilien AG, a listed real estate company, regarding the sale of hotel Steigenberger in Gstaad
  • Advising Allianz Suisse in connection with re-positioning and complete overhaul of an office building in the central business district of Zurich (approx. 14,000 sqm)
  • Advising Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund Hospitality regarding the sale of Hotel Palace Lucerne
  • Advising Credit Suisse Real Estate Fund Hospitality regarding the acquisition of a portfolio of three branded hotels
  • Advising Credit Suisse Investment Foundation in connection with the development and construction of a mixed-use residential, office, retail and hotel project in Zurich
  • Advising Swiss Prime Anlagestiftung regarding the acquisition of a start portfolio of 7 properties situated in 6 cantons and purchase of other real estate
  • Advising a global IT company regarding the expansion of its Swiss offices (approx. 50,000 sqm, 3,000–4,000 additional work stations) at Europaallee near Zurich main station
  • Advising client regarding the construction of an old-age and care centre in the Canton of Berne (general contractor and general planer agreement, lease agreement)
  • Advising Swiss and foreign institutional investors in connection with the acquisition of properties in Switzerland, including commercial, logistic and hotel properties as well as sale & rent back transactions
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Memberships & Roles

  • Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
  • Swiss Bar Association (SBA)
  • Chamber of specialist lawyers SBA Construction and Real Estate Law
  • Chamber of independent building owner consultants (KUB)
  • Swiss society of engineers and architects
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Awards & Rankings

  • Chambers and Partners | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2022 | Europe | Band 2
  • IFLR 1000 | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2021 | Notable practitioner
  • Who's Who Legal | Real Estate/Construction, Switzerland, 2021 | Thought Leader Global Elite
  • Who's Who Legal | Hospitality, Switzerland, 2021 | Global Leader
  • Best Lawyers | Construction Law, Switzerland, 2021 | Best Lawyer of the Year 2022
  • Euromoney's Women in Business Law Expert Guide | Real Estate, Switzerland, 2021 | World’s leading female practitioner
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Publications

  • The International Hotel Law Review, 1st Edition, Switzerland chapter - Law Business Research Ltd., 01/2021
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht - DIE COVID-19-Verordnung Miete und Pacht – Nachfrist bei Zahlungsrückständen, 05/2020
  • Haftungsfreizeichnung bei Grundstückskaufverträgen, MODULAR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 04/2019
  • Rechtsfragen rund um Ladestationen für Elektrofahrzeuge auf privatem Grund, MODULOR, Architektur, Bauen, Recht, 04/2018
  • General- und Totalunternehmerverträge, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2017
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Augen auf beim Grundstückskauf, 06/2017
  • Zweitwohnungsgesetz, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2016
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zweitwohnungsgesetz, 12/2015
  • Haftungsbeschränkung in Planerverträgen, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 05/2015
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zuständigkeit der Handelsgerichte für mietrechtliche Streitigkeiten, 06/2014
  • Neuerungen im Altlastrecht, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2014
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Änderung des Raumplanungsgesetzes (RPG), 03/2013
  • Schnittstellenproblematik von Baumängeln unter Mietrecht und Werkvertragsrecht, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 01/2013
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Zweitwohnungen, 09/2012
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Erdbebensicherheit, 07/2012
  • Rechtsfragen rund um Erdbebensicherheit von Bauwerken, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2012
  • CMS Newsletter Immobilienrecht – Register-Schuldbrief, 07/2011
  • Vertragsgestaltung beim Verkauf von neu erstelltem Wohn-Eigentum, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 02/2011
  • Double-net, Triple-net und andere besondere Regelungsformen von Unterhaltsverpflichtungen in Geschäftsmietverträgen, MRA MietRecht Aktuell, 04/2010
  • Subunternehmerverträge – Worauf zu achten ist, MODULOR, Architektur, Immobilien, Recht, 06/2010
  • Grundstückskaufverträge, Fragen rund um Eigentumsübertragung und Besitzesantritt, Der Schweizer Treuhänder 2010/1-2, 02/2010 
  • Wie man Hotels kauft, Swiss Equity magazin, 06/2009
  • Mietverträge in wirtschaftlich schweren Zeiten, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Sonderbeilage Immobilien, 25/03/2009
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Lectures list

  • University of Fribourg, Certified specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law, topic „Lease of real estate property“
  • University of Zurich, CUREM (Center for Urban Real Estate Management at Swiss Banking Institute of University of Zurich, www.curem.ch), topic „brokerage law“
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Education

  • 2010 – Certified Specialist SBA Construction and Real Estate Law
  • 2008 – Dr. iur., University of Basel
  • 2005 – Master of Laws, LL.M. in commercial law, University of Cambridge (UK)
  • 2001 – Bar Admission, Zurich
  • 1999 – Legal studies, lic. iur., magna cum laude, University of Basel
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Feed

14/03/2024
CMS Switzerland ranked in Chambers and Partners Europe Guide 2024
Awards & Rankings
06/02/2024
CMS advises Bruker on the agreement to acquire Chemspeed
Bruker Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed US tech company, entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Chemspeed Technologies AG, a Swiss provider of vendor-agnostic automated laboratory R&D and QC workflow solutions. Chemspeed is focused on modular automation and robotics solutions for chemical research, pharma drug formulation, materials research for cleantech and consumer applications. The Chemspeed acquisition accelerates Bruker’s entry into lab automation, digitalisation and scientific software solutions. Chemspeed offers modular automation to enhance productivity in R&D and QC departments to achieve more in less time and without additional staff. Chemspeed complements Bruker’s vendor-agnostic plat­form SciY™ for software automation and digital transformation of R&D labs in the life science, biopharma and cleantech industries. An international CMS team headed by Stefan Brunnschweiler and Andrea Relly (Switzerland), in collaboration with the US law firm Nixon Peabody LLP advised Bruker on all legal aspects of the transaction. CMS Switzer­land­Stefan Brunnschweiler, Lead Partner, Corporate / M&AAndrea Relly, Counsel, Corporate / M&ASamuel Gang, Senior Associate, Corporate / M&AAnna Mast, Associate, Corporate / M&AMarquard Christen, Partner, Competition and ComplianceJulia Haas, Senior Associate, Competition and Com­pli­ance­Bernhard Lötscher, Partner, ComplianceSophie Weber, Associate, ComplianceDr Dirk Spacek, Partner, Intellectual PropertyDr Simone Brauch­bar-Birkhäuser, Partner, Intellectual PropertyOlivia Zingg, Associate, Intellectual PropertyMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxJens Lehmann, Senior Associate, TaxMiryam Meile, Senior Associate, Em­ploy­mentSibylle Schnyder, Partner, Real EstateReto Hunsperger, Partner, Com­mer­cialAl­ex­an­der Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate / M&ASophia Rovelli, Attorney Trainee, Corporate / M&AElisabeth Suter, Attorney Trainee, ComplianceCMS BelgiumKai Neuhaus, Partner, Brussel, CompetitionDavid Rappenglück, Associate, Brussel, CompetitionCMS UKRussel Hoare, Partner, Lon­don, Com­pet­i­tion­Claire Barraclough, Associate, Competition
11/01/2024
CMS advised on the sale of Argolite AG to SWISS KRONO Group
Zurich, January 2024 | A team of CMS Switzerland under the lead of Stefan Brunnschweiler and Samuel Felix Gang provided comprehensive advice to the sole shareholder on all legal aspects regarding the sale of Argolite AG to SWISS KRONO Group. The team further consisted of Sibylle Schnyder, David Hürlimann, Andrea Relly, Ferdinand Blezinger, Dominik Penkov and Alexander Salamon. Argolite AG, which was founded in 1937 and operates out of Willisau (Switzerland), has been producing laminates since 1953 and is the only Swiss manufacturer of HPL (High Pressure Laminate) in accordance with the EN438 quality standard, having around 80 employees. Founded in Menznau (Switzerland) in 1966, the SWISS KRONO Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of wood-based materials and stands for sustainable and innovative solutions in the Flooring, Interiors and Building Materials business. SWISS KRONO focuses on recyclable materials for living and working environments. As a preferred partner, SWISS KRONO enables its customers to grow with green building materials. Founded as a family business, the Group is wholly owned by Ines Kaindl-Benes. For the SWISS KRONO Group, the acquisition offers synergies and growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive market and also represents a clear commitment to the home market and the location in Switzerland. Despite the acquisition by the SWISS KRONO Group, Argolite AG will retain its legal independence, the Willisau site and the jobs there. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the transaction. CMS Switzer­land­Stefan Brunnschweiler, LL.M., Managing Partner, Head Corporate/M&ASamuel Felix Gang, LL.M., Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AAndrea Relly, Counsel, Corporate/M&ADr Ferdinand Blezinger, LL.M., Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AAlexander Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate/M&ADr Sibylle Schnyder, LL.M., Partner, Real EstateDavid Hürlimann, Managing Partner, TaxDominik Penkov, Associate, Tax
12/04/2023
CMS Switzerland recommended by The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
Rankings of CMS Switzerland in The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 Edition
11/04/2023
CMS advises Saint-Gobain on the divestment of the Swiss Glassolutions business
Saint-Gobain, a leader in light and sustainable construction, has signed a binding agreement for the sale of its glass processing business Glassolutions in Switzerland to the privately owned German group AEQUITA. CMS Switzerland acted as legal advisor and EY acted as M&A, tax and carve-out advisor to Saint-Gobain. The sale of this division, expected to close by the end of May 2023, is part of Saint-Gobain's ongoing strategic plan to optimize its business profile. The CMS team led by partner Alain Raemy provided comprehensive legal advice to Saint-Gobain on the spin-off of the Glassolutions division and on the sales transaction. CMS TeamAlain Raemy, Partner, Corporate/M&AMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxChristian Gersbach, Partner, EmploymentDr Sibylle Schnyder, Partner, Real EstateTanja Schaub, Counsel, TaxAndrea Relly, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AThomas Zweifel, Senior Associate, Real EstateHelena Loretan, Associate, Real EstateAnna Mast, Associate, Corporate/M&ARafael Gruber, Attorney Trainee, Real EstateAlexander Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate/M&ANatalie Németh, Corporate Administration
19/03/2023
CMS Switzerland recommended in the Chambers Europe Guide 2023
Chambers and Partners has pub­lished its rankings of Europe's lead­ing law firms and lawyers in the Europe Guide 2023. Our firm and our lawyers are listed in both rankings for Switzerland.
28/10/2022
CMS Real Estate Global Brochure
Globalisation, political turbulence, changes in urban living patterns, increased digitisation, shifting consumer behaviour and flexible working are just some of the issues that are transforming the demands...
11/04/2022
CMS Switzerland recognised by The Legal 500
Rankings of CMS Switzerland in The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 edition
17/03/2022
CMS Switzerland recommended in the Chambers Europe Guide 2022
Chambers and Partners has pub­lished its rankings of Europe's lead­ing law firms and lawyers in the Europe Guide 2022. Our firm and our lawyers are listed in both rankings for Switzerland.
07/12/2021
The International Hotel Law Review | 2nd Edition
Switzerland Chapter
30/04/2021
Switzerland
Recent work highlights Construction and development Advised investor regarding the acquisition of a residential development (76 apartments) in Zurich. Advised investor regarding acquisition, development and construction of a major mixed-use development project in the canton of Aargau. Advised investor in connection with the acquisition of a development project in the city center of Basel regarding an underground parking with 350 parking spaces. Advised developer regarding the sale of a residential real estate project (170 apartments) in Bern. Advised investor regarding acquisition of real estate development project (logistic building) in Zurich. Investment and disposal Advised client regarding an asset swap of major commercial buildings in Zurich and Bern, amongst others a co-ownership share in a shopping and entertainment center in Zurich. Advised seller of a logistic building in the greater Basel area (share deal). Advised seller regarding the sale of a boutique five star hotel in Zurich and a related real estate portfolio in a combined real estate and share deal. Advised client in connection with the acquisition of an office building in the canton of Vaud. Advised a real estate fund regarding the divestment of a hotel portfolio in the Swiss mountains (amongst others, in Davos and Zermatt). Advised the seller regarding the sale of a portfolio of four commercial properties in the Zurich area. Advised the seller regarding the divestment of a large office building in Bern. Managers and occupiers Advised owner regarding a major commercial lease agreement in the historic part of Zurich. Advised client in connection with expansion of sales premises and showrooms in Switzerland. Advised an international hotel operator regarding lease agreements for two new design budget hotels in Zurich and Geneva (re-de­vel­op­ment). Ongoing advice of a global IT company regarding the expansion of its Swiss offices. 
14/04/2021
CMS Switzerland ranked by The Legal 500
Rankings of CMS Switzerland in The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 edition CMS Switzerland is recommended in 18 categories in this year's Europe, Middle East and Africa edition of The Legal 500, published in April...