Sweden Reforms the Justice

Written by Anne Kappl

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Formal head of state is the king.

Sweden has a written constitution, which consists of four independent documents of constitution. The Swedish juridical system follows the model of the continental-European states. The Swedish legal order consists of a multiplicity of individual laws. A valid codification of the civil law in a uniform law book does not exist. The Swedish law system is completely independent and consists of a court system with three instances, the Supreme Court of Justice, six courts of appeal as well as district courts and local courts. Judges lead the presidency over district courts and local courts.

During the EU council presidency of Sweden the President of the European Union Rechtspfleger visited the General Director of the administration of justice for civil and criminal affairs, Mrs. Barbro Thorblad, on 19.11.2009 in Stockholm.

In presence of the President of the ST inom Sveriges Domstolar, Anette Jellve, and the member of the board, Marie Gustafsson, Kappl discussed with Mrs. Thorblad the introduction of the European Union of Rechtspfleger and the expected reform, starting from 15 February 2010. He handed over the Green Paper for a European Rechtspfleger to her.

With the judicial reform 12 district courts are abolished, thus only 11 districts will do their work for justice, close to the citizens. For example all pending procedures of the district of the island Gotland are to be assigned to the district of Stockholm. Many Swedish court employees could become unemployed. Everybody, who has reached 61 years, can be happy. He can go into the retirement with a pension of 80%.

We thank the Swedish association for the friendly receipt and look forward to a further good co-operation.

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