1 of the Swiss Constitution[1] of 18 April 1999, (SC; SR [Classified Compilation of Federal Legislation] no.

The Federal Criminal Court's Lower Appeals Chamber provides judicial review in unfolding federal criminal proceedings, in particular by adjudicating complaints against the rulings and procedural acts of the police, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland[2] (the federal public prosecutor), the Court's Penal Chamber and the Compulsory Measures Court.

It hears appeals against Criminal Chamber judgments that wholly or partially conclude proceedings.

It also hears applications for a review of Criminal Chamber or Higher Appeals Chamber judgments that have come into effect as well as appeals against summary penalty orders issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG), subsequent court decisions and decisions rendered in independently conducted action procedures.

As of August 2013, the Federal Criminal Court is constituted with a staff of about 80 people, 22 of which are judges.