Facts
Victor G. Meier, Doctor of Philosophy and high school teacher, member of the Swiss Society for Genealogical Research and the Genealogical and Heraldic Society of the Regio Basilensis, has requested access to the land registers concerning two properties in which his grandparents and great-grandparents lived, as part of his genealogical research. The land register keeper granted access to the entries and deeds of transfer concerning his parents, but refused to disclose documents involving third parties without their consent. Meier contested this decision, which was confirmed by the Department of the Interior of the Canton of Aargau and the Cantonal Administrative Court. He then appealed to the Federal Tribunal.Considerations
The Federal Tribunal considers that the scientific interest of a genealogist can justify access to land registers, including for information not directly concerning his own family. Genealogy is not limited to research on family ancestry, but can also involve broader socio-historical studies. Therefore, the fact that certain documents may concern third parties is not sufficient to refuse access, insofar as this would not infringe on their private sphere. Given that the…