Online processing of cases and e-communication with courts

1 Is it possible to initiate court proceedings via the internet?

It is currently not possible to apply for a summons in a civil action via internet. An application for a summons 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.

In summary proceedings an application for an order to pay may be submitted to the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogdemyndigheten) by internet.

2 If so, for what types of cases is it available? Are any proceedings available exclusively via the internet?

As is clear from the answer to question 1, this is only possible in summary proceedings.

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 to court.

4 Should the details of the claim be provided in any particular format?

There is no internet service for bringing a case to court.

5 How is transmission and storage of data secured?

There is no internet service for bringing a case to court.

6 Is it necessary to use any kind of electronic signature and/or time record?

There is no internet service for bringing a case to court.

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 to court.

Electronic applications to the Swedish Enforcement Authority for an order to pay must be signed with an advanced electronic signature as referred to in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority may grant an exemption from the signature requirement if a person is expected to submit a large number of applications in a secure and technically appropriate manner. If an action for an order to pay is transferred to a court to be dealt with as a normal case, it is not necessary to provide a physical signature in addition to an electronic application.

8 Is it possible to withdraw a claim that has been initiated via the internet?

There is no internet service for bringing a case to court.

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 to court. As is clear from the answer to question 12, however, it is usually possible to submit a statement of defence and other judicial documents that do not have to be signed in person via the internet.

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 to court.

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 to court.

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 have 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 a 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 a court sending a document electronically and receipt of the document being confirmed by e-mail, for example, if this is deemed appropriate 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 service of process, please see the answer 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 orally or in writing. An oral 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.