Being sued by a customer can feel stressful and uncertain. Whether you run a business or are a private individual, it is important to understand your rights and how to respond. Here are 100 common questions and answers about what it means to be sued by a customer in Sweden.
1. What does it mean to be sued?
It means someone has filed a lawsuit with the district court (tingsrätten) demanding something from you.
2. What is a lawsuit (stämningsansökan)?
A formal request to the court to resolve a legal dispute.
3. Who can sue me?
A customer, business partner, or any other party claiming you have breached a contract or caused harm.
4. Must a lawsuit be in writing?
Yes, it must be submitted in writing to the court.
5. What does a lawsuit include?
The customer’s claims, background, evidence, and what they want the court to decide.
6. How will I know I’ve been sued?
You will receive a letter from the court with the lawsuit and instructions to respond.
7. What is a response (yttrande)?
Your written reply to the court where you accept or dispute the customer’s claims.
8. How much time do I have to respond?
The court will set a deadline, usually two to three weeks.
9. What happens if I don’t respond?
The customer may win by default through a default judgment (tredskodom).
10. What is a default judgment?
A judgment in favor of the customer if you do not respond.
11. Can I appeal a default judgment?
Yes, but you must act quickly, usually within one month.
12. What should I write in my response?
State whether you accept or dispute the claim and explain why.
13. Can I ask for more time to respond?
Yes, you can request an extension from the court.
14. What is an extension (anstånd)?
More time to submit your response.
15. Do I need a lawyer?
No, but legal advice is recommended in larger or complex cases.
16. Can I represent myself?
Yes, you have the right to represent yourself.
17. Who pays legal costs?
The losing party usually pays both sides’ legal costs.
18. Can I get legal expense insurance?
Yes, if you have legal coverage in your business or home insurance.
19. What is legal expense insurance (rättsskydd)?
Insurance that covers part of your legal costs.
20. What is a main hearing (huvudförhandling)?
The court session where both sides present their arguments.
21. Must I attend the hearing?
Yes, if you are summoned, you should attend.
22. What happens if I don’t attend?
The court may proceed without you and issue a judgment.
23. Can we settle the dispute before trial?
Yes, you can reach a settlement at any time.
24. What is a settlement (förlikning)?
A voluntary agreement to resolve the dispute without a court ruling.
25. Can the court help us settle?
Yes, through court-led mediation.
26. What is mediation (medling)?
A process where a mediator helps you reach an agreement.
27. What happens if we settle?
The dispute ends, and the legal process stops.
28. Is a settlement binding?
Yes, if it is written and signed by both parties.
29. What happens if we don’t settle?
The case proceeds to trial.
30. What is the burden of proof (bevisbörda)?
The obligation to prove claims made in court.
31. Who has the burden of proof?
The party making a claim must provide evidence.
32. What evidence can I use?
Written contracts, emails, text messages, witnesses, receipts, etc.
33. What is a verbal agreement?
An agreement made without written documentation.
34. Are verbal agreements valid?
Yes, but they are harder to prove.
35. Can I use witnesses in court?
Yes, witness testimony can support your case.
36. What is a written agreement?
A documented contract signed by both parties.
37. What is a standard contract?
Predefined terms often used in business.
38. Must the customer follow our agreed terms?
Yes, if the terms are clear and legal.
39. What are unfair contract terms?
Terms that are unreasonable and may be invalidated by the court.
40. What is delay (dröjsmål)?
When a party fails to deliver on time.
41. Can the customer sue me for delay?
Yes, if it caused them financial loss.
42. What is defective performance?
When the product or service does not meet the agreed standard.
43. What is a price reduction?
A lower price due to defects or delays.
44. What is contract termination (hävning)?
Cancelling the contract and returning what has been exchanged.
45. Can the customer claim damages?
Yes, if they can prove financial loss caused by you.
46. What is a damages claim (skadeståndstalan)?
A lawsuit demanding financial compensation.
47. What is a claim (fordran)?
A demand for payment.
48. What is a dispute (bestridande)?
A formal objection to the customer’s claim.
49. Can I dispute part of the claim?
Yes, you can dispute all or part of it.
50. Can I counter-sue (motstämning)?
Yes, if you have claims against the customer.
51. What is a counterclaim (genstämning)?
A formal lawsuit filed against the customer in the same case.
52. What is a written submission (partsinlaga)?
Your written arguments and evidence submitted to the court.
53. What is a default judgment (tredskodom)?
A ruling in favor of the customer if you don’t respond.
54. Can I request a review of a default judgment?
Yes, but you must act quickly.
55. What is an interim decision (interimistiskt beslut)?
A temporary ruling before the final judgment.
56. Can the court decide without a hearing?
Yes, in simple cases.
57. What is a small claims case (förenklat tvistemål)?
A case involving less than half a price base amount.
58. What is a price base amount?
An annual index used in Swedish law for calculations.
59. What is the difference between small claims and regular cases?
Lower cost risks in small claims.
60. Can the customer win without evidence?
No, they must prove their claims.
61. Can I be criminally charged in a civil case?
No, civil cases involve financial claims, not criminal charges.
62. What is a criminal case (brottmål)?
A case where the prosecutor files charges for a crime.
63. Can a civil case become a criminal case?
Only if criminal activity, such as fraud, is suspected.
64. Can I propose settlement at any time?
Yes, even during the trial.
65. What is a judgment (dom)?
The court’s final decision in the case.
66. How do I appeal a judgment?
By submitting an appeal to the court of appeal (hovrätten).
67. How long do I have to appeal?
Usually three weeks from the judgment date.
68. What is a legally binding judgment (lagakraftvunnen dom)?
A judgment that can no longer be appealed.
69. What is enforcement (verkställighet)?
The Swedish Enforcement Authority collecting payment or property based on the judgment.
70. Can the customer enforce a judgment?
Yes, through the Enforcement Authority.
71. What is an enforcement decision (utmätning)?
A decision to seize property or funds to satisfy a debt.
72. Can my business be subject to enforcement?
Yes, businesses and individuals can have property seized.
73. What can be seized?
Bank accounts, receivables, equipment, etc.
74. Can the customer request security for their claim?
Yes, but the court decides if it is reasonable.
75. What is a protective measure (säkerhetsåtgärd)?
A court-ordered action to secure evidence or assets before judgment.
76. What is a court hearing (domstolsförhandling)?
A session where both sides present their case to the court.
77. Can I attend the hearing remotely?
Yes, if the court allows it.
78. What is a written procedure (skriftligt förfarande)?
A case decided without a hearing, based on written submissions.
79. What is a hearing record (protokoll)?
A summary of what was said and decided in court.
80. Can the judgment be made public?
Yes, court judgments are public records.
81. What is a final and binding judgment (rättskraftig dom)?
A decision that is binding on the parties.
82. Can the same dispute be tried again?
No, not after a final judgment.
83. What is legal representation (rättsligt ombud)?
A lawyer or legal advisor representing you.
84. Who can be a legal representative?
A lawyer, legal advisor, or authorized agent.
85. What is a power of attorney (fullmakt)?
A document authorizing someone to act on your behalf.
86. Can I change my representative during the case?
Yes, at any time.
87. What is an expert witness (sakkunnig)?
A specialist who provides an expert opinion to the court.
88. Who pays for expert witnesses?
The party requesting the expert, unless the court decides otherwise.
89. Can both sides call witnesses?
Yes.
90. Must witnesses tell the truth?
Yes, they are required to swear an oath.
91. What is witness compensation (vittnesersättning)?
Reimbursement for a witness’s expenses.
92. What is a final ruling (slutligt avgörande)?
The court’s final decision in the case.
93. What happens after the judgment?
The winning party may seek enforcement if needed.
94. What is an enforceable title (exekutionstitel)?
A court judgment or decision that can be enforced.
95. What is voluntary payment?
Paying the judgment debt without enforcement measures.
96. What is a payment plan (betalningsplan)?
An agreement to pay in installments.
97. Can I negotiate payment terms after judgment?
Yes, it is possible.
98. What should I consider if I’m sued?
Act quickly and seek legal advice.
99. What is a court fee (ansökningsavgift)?
A fee to start a court case.
100. Why is legal advice important if I’m sued?
To protect your rights and avoid unnecessary costs.
