1 Is it possible to initiate court proceedings via the internet?
In Sweden, an application for a summons in the case of a dispute must be submitted in writing and be signed in person by the plaintiff or by his or her representative. The signature requirement means that a summons application cannot be submitted electronically.
The same applies to applications for an order to pay that are submitted to the Swedish Enforcement Authority. In the case of an order to pay, however, there are some opportunities for the Swedish Enforcement Authority to grant an exemption for those who submit large numbers of applications for an order to pay.
2 If so, for what types of cases is it available? Are any proceedings available exclusively via the internet?
As may be seen from the response to question 1, this is only possible in certain exceptional cases in the summary process.
3 Is the facility available at all times (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or just during specific hours? If so, what are those hours?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
4 Should the details of the claim be provided in any particular format?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
5 How is transmission and storage of data secured?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
6 Is it necessary to use any kind of electronic signature and/or time record?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
7 Are court fees payable? If so, how can they be paid and are they different to those for non-electronic procedures?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
8 Is it possible to withdraw a claim that has been initiated via the internet?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
9 If the claimant initiates proceedings via the internet is it possible and/or compulsory for the defendant to respond using the internet as well?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case. As may be seen from the response to question 12, however, it is generally possible to submit a statement of defence and other procedural documents via the Internet if they do not need to be signed in person.
10 In terms of the electronic procedure what happens if the defendant responds to the claim?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
11 In terms of the electronic procedure what happens if the defendant does not respond to a claim?
There is no Internet service for bringing a case.
12 Is it possible to submit documents to a court electronically and if so in what type of proceedings and under what conditions is it possible?
Documents that do not need to be signed in person may be submitted electronically. This means that it is possible, in principle, to submit all documents electronically other than an application for a summons. The court may, however, decide in an individual case that an unsigned original document that has been submitted electronically must be confirmed by the sender by means of an original signed document.
13 Can judicial documents, and particularly judgments, be served via the internet?
There is nothing to prevent an authority from sending a document electronically and for receipt of the document to be confirmed by e-mail, for example, if this is deemed necessary under provisions in force concerning personal data, etc.
14 Can judicial decisions be given electronically?
A judgment is sent by post, unless requested otherwise by the party. Where appropriate, for instance with reference to the provisions on personal data in force, documents may instead be sent by fax or e-mail, or otherwise made available in electronic form.
15 Can an appeal be made and its decision served via the internet?
It is possible to lodge an appeal by e-mail. Where necessary, the court may request that such an appeal be confirmed by the sender by means of an original signed document.
With regard to summonses, please see the response to question 13.
16 Is it possible to initiate enforcement proceedings via the internet?
An application for enforcement may be made by the entitled party or by his or her representative, either verbally or in writing. A verbal application requires the applicant (the party seeking enforcement) to contact the Swedish Enforcement Authority. A written application must be signed by the applicant or by his or her representative. The Swedish Enforcement Authority may, however, allow a party submitting a large number of applications to do so electronically.
17 Can the parties or their legal representatives consult on-line cases? If so, how this can be done?
No.
