Who answers questions about ongoing cases?
First, contact the switchboard on +46 (0)8 561 666 00. If you know the case reference, please have this ready. You will be connected to the drafting division that is handling the case.
How do I request more time?
Contact the court in writing or by telephone. Court clerks, drafting law clerks and judge referees can grant extensions. Ultimately, extension requests can be presented to a justice of the supreme court.
What does “leave to appeal required” mean?
It means that the Supreme Court does not try all appealed rulings. The court tries a case if it is important for application of the law or if there are exceptional reasons for a review (e.g. the court of appeal has committed a grave oversight or mistake). Leave to appeal is granted only in around two per cent of all cases.
How long does it take the Supreme Court to decide whether or not leave to appeal shall be granted?
The Supreme Court endeavours to reach these decisions as quickly as possible. Generally, decisions are given within about four months of the application for leave to appeal being received by the Supreme Court.
If leave to appeal is granted, how long does the review then take?
As a rule, cases are decided within 1 year of them being received. Many factors (e.g. the nature of the case) can affect this time.
How do I know when the Supreme Court’s ruling will be given?
Leave to appeal: A rejection of a request for leave to appeal is issued when the decision is taken.
Judgments and final decisions: The Supreme Court does not normally give advance notice of the day on which a judgment or decision is going to be given. However, when a case is being decided by five court members, the parties are usually informed by a so-called “judgment notification”. This is sent out two days ahead of the ruling being given.
Can I request documents in ongoing cases at the Supreme Court?
Yes, this is normally not a problem. However, documents are sometimes wholly or partially confidential and cannot then be issued.
Why does the Supreme Court not try all appeals?
The main rule is that leave to appeal is only granted if the Supreme Court’s ruling can provide a precedent, i.e. give guidance on how other, similar cases are to be assessed. Thus, for the Supreme Court to review a case, it is not enough that the court of appeal should, perhaps, have decided it differently.
What input does the Supreme Court have when determining whether leave to appeal shall be granted?
In each case, the Supreme Court’s examination of leave to appeal is based on the appeal that is being made against a court of appeal decision and the circumstances presented in said appeal.
The Supreme Court always calls for the files from the lower courts. Consequently, the Supreme Court has access to all the documents in the case (i.e. those submitted to the district court, court of appeal and Supreme Court).
Can I appeal a Supreme Court ruling?
No, amongst the general courts, the Supreme Court is the court of final instance.