100 Questions and Answers About Being Sued in Sweden

What does it mean to be sued in Sweden? How should you respond? What happens if you ignore the claim?
This guide answers 100 frequently asked questions – step by step – to help you understand the civil litigation process (tvistemål) in Sweden, and what rights and obligations you have as the defendant.

🔹 First Reaction: What Does It Mean to Be Sued?

1. What does it mean to be sued?
   Someone has filed a lawsuit in court requesting that you be ordered to do something – e.g. pay money, return property, or fulfill a contract.

2. What is a lawsuit (stämningsansökan)?
   A formal document from the claimant outlining their demands and the legal reasons behind them.

3. Which court handles civil claims in Sweden?
   Typically the District Court (Tingsrätten) in your area or where the dispute occurred.

4. What’s included in the lawsuit?
   The claimant’s demands, background information, legal grounds, and supporting evidence.

5. What happens when the court receives the lawsuit?
   You will receive a copy and be asked to respond in writing.

6. What is a court order (föreläggande)?
   A formal instruction from the court requesting that you respond by a specific deadline.

7. Do I have to respond to a lawsuit?
   Yes – if you don’t respond, the court can issue a default judgment against you.

8. What is a default judgment (tredskodom)?
   A ruling issued if you fail to reply in time – you automatically lose the case.

9. Can I get legal assistance?
   Yes – you can hire a lawyer, and in some cases receive legal aid or use legal insurance.

10. How long do I have to respond?
    Typically two to three weeks from the date you receive the summons.

🔹 Understanding the Lawsuit

11. Who can sue me?
    An individual, a company, or an organization.

12. Do they need a lawyer to sue me?
    No – anyone can submit a claim without legal representation.

13. Can I be sued even if I’ve done nothing wrong?
    Yes – but the burden of proof is on the claimant.

14. What is a civil case (tvistemål)?
    A dispute between private parties over legal obligations or rights.

15. What types of things can I be sued for?
    Unpaid debts, breach of contract, damages, tenancy issues, etc.

16. What is a small claims case (småmål)?
    A case where the value is under about 30,000 SEK (half a price base amount).

17. What is a dispositive case?
    A case that parties are free to settle – most civil cases are dispositive.

18. What is a legal ground?
    The facts and laws the claimant bases their case on.

19. What is a claim (yrkande)?
    The formal request made to the court – e.g., “the defendant should pay 20,000 SEK.”

20. Can I be ordered to pay damages?
    Yes – if the court finds you liable based on the evidence.

🔹 How to Respond

21. How do I respond to a lawsuit in Sweden?
    By submitting a written statement of defense (svaromål) to the court.

22. What must my response include?
    Whether you accept or deny the claim, your own version of events, and any evidence.

23. Do I need to write legal language?
    No – but your statements must be clear and understandable.

24. What does it mean to deny the claim?
    You disagree with the claimant’s demands.

25. Can I admit part of the claim?
    Yes – you can accept some parts and deny others.

26. What if I accept the entire claim?
    The court can issue a judgment without holding a hearing.

27. Can I file a claim against the claimant?
    Yes – this is called a counterclaim (genkäromål).

28. What is a counterclaim?
    A claim you make against the claimant within the same case.

29. What’s the difference between a denial and an objection?
    Denial rejects the entire claim; an objection targets specific details.

30. Do I have to submit all my evidence right away?
    Not necessarily – but it’s good to submit what you can early on.

🔹 Hiring a Lawyer

31. Do I need a lawyer?
    No – but it’s highly recommended in most cases.

32. What does a lawyer cost in Sweden?
    Usually 1,500–4,000 SEK/hour, depending on experience.

33. Does home insurance include legal coverage?
    Often, yes – through what’s called legal protection (rättsskydd).

34. What is legal aid (rättshjälp)?
    Financial assistance from the state for those with low income.

35. How do I apply for legal aid?
    Through your lawyer, who sends an application to the Legal Aid Authority.

36. Who pays if I win the case?
    The court may order the losing party to cover your legal costs.

37. Who pays if I lose?
    You may need to pay both your own and the opposing party’s costs.

38. What are litigation costs?
    Lawyer fees, witness expenses, expert opinions, etc.

39. Can I hire a lawyer just for written help?
    Yes – you don’t need to go to court unless necessary.

40. Can I change lawyers during the case?
    Yes – at any time, though it may affect continuity and cost.

🔹 What Happens in Court?

41. What is a court session (sammanträde)?
    A scheduled hearing, either preparatory or final.

42. What is a preparatory hearing?
    A meeting to plan the case and explore settlement options.

43. What is the main hearing (huvudförhandling)?
    The trial where the court makes its decision.

44. Do I have to attend the hearing?
    Yes – unless a lawyer attends on your behalf.

45. Can I participate remotely?
    Yes – courts may allow phone or video attendance.

46. Can I bring witnesses?
    Yes – if they are relevant to your case.

47. Can I bring someone for support?
    Yes – but they may not speak unless they are a witness.

48. What does the judge do?
    Leads the hearing, asks questions, and makes the ruling.

49. What is a claim in court?
    A formal request for the court to issue a judgment on a specific point.

50. What is oral evidence?
    Testimony from you, witnesses, or experts during the hearing.

🔹 Settlement and Agreement

51. Can we settle the case before court?
    Yes – at any time, even after a hearing has started.

52. What is a settlement (förlikning)?
    A voluntary agreement to resolve the dispute.

53. Can the court help us settle?
    Yes – courts often facilitate settlements.

54. Is a settlement legally binding?
    Yes – especially if entered into the record or signed.

55. Can I back out after agreeing to settle?
    Not if the settlement was finalized formally.

56. Can I get help drafting a settlement?
    Yes – your lawyer or the court can assist.

57. Can I settle after the trial?
    Yes – until the court issues a final ruling.

58. Are settlements private?
    Yes – unlike judgments, settlements are not public records.

59. Can I include damages in a settlement?
    Yes – anything agreed between the parties can be included.

60. What if I feel pressured to settle?
    Talk to your lawyer – settlements must be voluntary.

🔹 The Judgment

61. What is a judgment (dom)?
    The court’s written decision resolving the case.

62. How is the judgment delivered?
    Usually by post or digitally.

63. What’s included in a judgment?
    The outcome, legal reasoning, and allocation of costs.

64. What if I lose the case?
    You must comply with the judgment – e.g. pay what’s ordered.

65. What if I win?
    The court may order the other party to pay you and your costs.

66. What are “reasons for judgment” (domskäl)?
    The court’s explanation of how and why it ruled as it did.

67. Can I appeal the decision?
    Yes – within three weeks.

68. How do I appeal?
    Submit your appeal to the District Court, which sends it to the Court of Appeal.

69. Do I need to explain my appeal?
    Yes – you must specify what you want changed and why.

70. Do I have to follow the judgment while appealing?
    Yes – unless enforcement is suspended by the court.

🔹 Enforcement and Collection

71. What is enforcement (verkställighet)?
    Ensuring the judgment is followed – often handled by the Enforcement Authority.

72. What does the Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) do?
    Collects debts and enforces judgments.

73. Can I ask for extra time to pay?
    Yes – but the other party must agree or the court must allow it.

74. What happens if I don’t pay?
    The Enforcement Authority may seize wages or property.

75. Can I dispute enforcement?
    Yes – under specific legal circumstances.

76. Will the judgment go on my criminal record?
    No – civil cases do not appear in criminal background checks.

77. Is the judgment public?
    Yes – District Court rulings are public.

78. Does it affect my credit score?
    Yes – especially if it leads to a record at the Enforcement Authority.

79. What is an enforceable title (exekutionstitel)?
    A document (like a judgment) that can be enforced.

80. Can a judgment expire?
    Yes – typically after 10 years if it hasn’t been enforced.

🔹 Practical Advice and Common Mistakes

81. What if I ignore the lawsuit?
    The court may rule against you by default.

82. Can I get a second chance after missing the deadline?
    Yes – you can apply to have a default judgment reversed.

83. What is “recovery” (återvinning)?
    A request to reopen a case after losing by default.

84. What is a disputed issue (bevistema)?
    A fact the court must decide based on the evidence.

85. Who has the burden of proof?
    The party making a claim must prove it.

86. Can I record conversations for evidence?
    Yes – if you are part of the conversation.

87. Do I have to speak in court?
    No – but your silence may impact the judgment.

88. What is a party hearing (partsförhör)?
    When you testify about your version of the case under oath.

89. How should I dress in court?
    Neatly and respectfully – business casual is fine.

90. Can I request an interpreter?
    Yes – and the court provides one if needed.

🔹 Final Advice

91. Should I contact the claimant directly?
    Only if you’re comfortable – otherwise, go through your lawyer.

92. What’s the most important thing to remember?
    Respond on time, stay factual, and keep written documentation.

93. Can I avoid going to court?
    Yes – by settling the case early.

94. Is it worth defending a small claim?
    That depends – consult a lawyer to weigh the cost and benefit.

95. Can I request to pay in installments?
    Only if the other party or court agrees.

96. Can anyone sue me for no reason?
    Yes – but the court will dismiss baseless or irrelevant claims.

97. What is a list of evidence (bevisuppgift)?
    A list of the documents or witnesses you plan to rely on.

98. What is a factual presentation (sakframställning)?
    Your written or oral explanation of what happened.

99. Can the ruling affect future cases?
    Not unless it’s from a higher court (precedent-setting).

100. When should I contact a lawyer?
     Immediately upon receiving a lawsuit – the earlier, the better.

Do You Need Legal Help After Being Sued in Sweden?

Segerström Law Firm assists individuals and businesses facing legal disputes in Swedish courts. We represent you from the first response all the way through court – including settlement negotiations, defense strategy, and appeals.

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📞 Contact us today for a confidential initial consultation. You’re not alone. Help line: +46 455 100 70.