In civil law, the amount in dispute is the compensation which the plaintiff is demanding, without accounting for contingent demands, interest, and legal costs. Example: You inflict 10,000 Swiss francs worth of damages on your rented apartment. The property’s owner files a lawsuit to demand full compensation of this amount. The amount in dispute, in this case, is 10,000 francs.
If lawsuits are not based on an amount of money and the parties involved cannot agree on a financial equivalent, the amount in dispute is determined by the court. The bases for calculating an amount in dispute are laid out in the Swiss rules governing civil procedures.
If you have legal insurance, the amount in dispute is particularly relevant because it determines whether or not your insurance will pay legal expenses. The minimum amount in dispute above which your insurance will cover a case is listed in your policy. Different minimum amounts may apply to different legal areas. If the amount in dispute in a case is lower than the minimum amount required, you have to cover the costs out of your own pocket.
Legal insurance policies may also have a maximum amount in value, with cases not being covered if the amount in value exceeds that limit. The terms and conditions governing minimum and maximum amounts in dispute can be found in your insurance agreement.
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