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Sverige i fokus · chapter 05

Law and justice

This chapter describes law, courts and legal security. The Riksdag passes the laws; the courts are independent and decide cases without political interference. The general courts have three levels — district court, court of appeal and the Supreme Court — while administrative courts hear disputes between individuals and public authorities. Anyone suspected of a crime counts as innocent until a court has convicted them. The age of criminal responsibility is 15, and in the district court professional judges sit together with lay judges.

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Topics from: Sverige i fokus (UHR)

Chapter overview

Worth knowing

Facts from the chapter that come up often in the questions.

  1. 01 Allemansrätten Allemansrätten gives the right to walk, cycle, ski, swim, pick wild berries and mushrooms, and briefly camp on land one does not own.
  2. 02 The Girjas verdict (Supreme Court 2020) The Girjas verdict was delivered by the Swedish Supreme Court in January 2020.
  3. 03 Freedom of Religion in the Instrument of Government The right is guaranteed in the Instrument of Government
  4. 04 1523 and 1809: The Two Events Behind the Date Gustav Vasa was elected king at Strängnäs in 1523
  5. 05 Hate crime and the sentencing rule Swedish law contains no single offence called hate crime
  6. 06 What the police do The police became a single national authority in 2015
  7. 07 Regeringsformen (Instrument of Government, 1974) Sweden's main constitution — in force since 1 January 1975.
  8. 08 Innocent Until Proven Guilty The accused is regarded as innocent until guilt is proven

9 questions

Practice questions

  1. Question 1 of 9

    Why is allemansrätten described as a 'negatively defined' right?

    • It only applies outside the tourist season
    • It consists of whatever other laws do not forbid
    • It can be withdrawn by any landowner
    • It applies only to Swedish citizens
    Explanation

    It consists of whatever other laws do not forbid — No statute lists what allemansrätten permits; it is the space left over once other prohibitions are applied.

  2. Question 2 of 9

    Why is the Girjas verdict so significant?

    • It abolished Sametinget
    • It recognised the rights as the Sami's own, not granted by the state, and is reshaping Sami rights litigation
    • It ended reindeer herding
    • It applied only outside Sweden
    Explanation

    It recognised the rights as the Sami's own, not granted by the state, and is reshaping Sami rights litigation — Girjas is the most important modern Sami legal victory: the Court recognised the hunting and fishing rights as the sameby's own, arising from long use of the land, rather than as a state-granted privilege, and it is influencing how other samebyar litigate.

  3. Question 3 of 9

    From which year does the Swedish fundamental law granting freedom of religion date?

    • 1809
    • 1974
    • 1951
    • 2000
    Explanation

    1974 — Its chapter on rights lists expression, information, assembly, demonstration, association and religion.

  4. Question 4 of 9

    Where was Gustav Vasa elected king?

    • In Stockholm
    • In Uppsala
    • In Strängnäs
    • In Kalmar
    Explanation

    In Strängnäs — The election ended the union with Denmark for good.

  5. Question 5 of 9

    How does Swedish law treat a hate motive?

    • As grounds for deportation and nothing further
    • As a separate offence with its own name in the Penal Code
    • As an aggravating circumstance when sentencing for another crime
    • As a matter for civil compensation between the parties
    Explanation

    As an aggravating circumstance when sentencing for another crime — The underlying act is charged as usual, and the motive makes the sentence heavier.

  6. Question 6 of 9

    In Sweden, which number do you call when life, property or the environment is in immediate danger?

    • 112
    • 114 14
    • 113 13
    • 90 000
    Explanation

    112 — For everything else there is a separate non-urgent number, and reports can also be made online.

  7. Question 7 of 9

    A Swedish official rejects an application and explains that the authority itself owns the right to settle the matter as it sees fit. How does that sit with the first sentence of the 1974 Instrument of Government?

    • It conflicts with all public power proceeding from the people
    • It is correct as long as the decision is not appealed
    • It is correct; Swedish authorities hold decision-making power of their own
    • It is settled by the municipal council case by case
    Explanation

    It conflicts with all public power proceeding from the people — The 1974 Instrument of Government declares in its very first sentence that all public power in Sweden proceeds from the people. The authority's power is therefore delegated, not something it owns.

  8. Question 8 of 9

    In a criminal case, what must a Swedish court do if doubt remains after the hearing?

    • Send the case to the court of appeal
    • Postpone judgment for a year
    • Impose the lowest penalty
    • Acquit
    Explanation

    Acquit — Someone who says nothing at all can therefore still be acquitted.

  9. Question 9 of 9

    Which court can convert a Swedish life sentence into a fixed term?

    • Svea hovrätt
    • Högsta domstolen
    • Stockholms tingsrätt
    • Örebro tingsrätt
    Explanation

    Örebro tingsrätt — Örebro tingsrätt handles applications to convert a life sentence, once at least ten years have been served.

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