Facts
In this case, Max Abegg filed a public law appeal against the decision of the State Council of the Canton of Zurich dated December 17, 1970, authorizing the change of name of his son Hans-Peter Abegg to "Leu". The son, having reached majority age, had requested this name change due to the fact that he had been working for several years in the company of his stepfather Ernst Leu and was to take over its management. Although the State Council had consulted the municipalities of domicile and origin of the son, it did not give the father the opportunity to express his views on this request for a name change.Considerations
The Federal Tribunal considers that the father's right, directly derived from Art. 4 Cst., to be able to express his views on a request for a change of name of his child, exists only until the child reaches majority age. Upon reaching majority, the child acquires a large degree of autonomy in the exercise of his or her personality rights, of which the right…