THE SHAREWOOD CASE
Cross-border investor representation
between Switzerland and Brazil
What began as a sustainable investment in Brazilian teak plantations has developed into one of the biggest alleged investment scandals in Switzerland.
Around 3,000 investors invested over 100 million Swiss francs in contracts for specifically designated teak trees in Brazil – some with individual allocation and GPS data. In addition, service contracts were concluded for the care, management, and subsequent marketing of the timber. The underlying structure comprised several companies, complex contractual agreements, and operational activities abroad.
The insolvency of ShareWood Switzerland AG i. L. brought significant legal and economic questions to light. The bankruptcy proceedings were discontinued due to a lack of assets; the investigations by the Zurich public prosecutor's office are ongoing. For many investors, it remains unclear whether and where any assets of value actually exist.
The legal proceedings require a coordinated, cross-border approach between Switzerland and Brazil – in terms of corporate law, liability law and insolvency law.
Our work in the ShareWood complex
The law firm Dr. Faßbender Rechtsanwälte & Mediatoren now represents directly and indirectly over 1,200 affected investors.
The focus of our work is not solely on the formal enforcement of claims in Switzerland, but particularly on the strategic and practical analysis of the asset situation in Brazil.
This includes:
Clarifications regarding company and liability law
Examination and preparation of lawsuits
close coordination with Brazilian partner law firms
Discussions with local market participants, including teak traders and landowners
Communication with former managers of the ShareWood Group
Coordination of parallel legal and economic courses of action
While purely European claims often offer only limited prospects of success, our work has focused for years on verifying and securing potential assets in Brazil. The aim is to establish a solid foundation for reopening the bankruptcy proceedings and to examine concrete options for the utilization of the existing tree stock.
The ShareWood case shows that cross-border investment matters require not only legal expertise, but also strategic perseverance and international coordination.
DISCLAIMER
This presentation serves to provide information about an ongoing project example. It does not constitute a statement regarding the outcome of any proceedings or potential results. Each engagement is subject to an individual review of the specific circumstances.
Our strengths
Experience with international procedures
constellations
Coordination with foreign partner law firms
Understanding cultural and structural differences
Bundling of complex interests
Strategic support over extended periods
Strategic support over extended periods
Bundling of complex interests
Our strengths
Experience with international procedures
constellations
Coordination with foreign partner law firms
Understanding cultural and structural differences
Media presence of the case
Media presence of the case
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