Lagarna

Lagarna, meaning “the laws” in Swedish, is a general term for the statutes and legal rules that govern Swedish public and private life. It can refer to individual acts as well as to the body of law as a whole. In everyday use, Lagarna denotes the formal rules that people and authorities must follow, as opposed to common practices or unofficial norms.

In Sweden, laws are primarily created by the Riksdag and implemented by public authorities and the courts. The Constitution provides the framework for all legislation and comprises four fundamental laws: Regeringsformen (the Instrument of Government), Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen (Freedom of Expression), Tryckfrihetsförordningen (Freedom of the Press), and Successionsordningen (Succession to the Throne). All other laws must be compatible with these principles. The process typically involves drafting, committee examination, and parliamentary votes, after which acts are published in the Swedish Code of Statutes (Svensk författningssamling, SFS) and come into force on a specified date.

The Lagarna are interpreted and applied by the judiciary, with case law providing additional guidance. Administrative agencies issue regulations within the framework set by the laws. The system is dynamic: laws are amended or repealed as society changes, and new issues are addressed through statutory reform.

History and development of Lagarna reflect Sweden’s legal evolution from medieval practices toward a modern, codified statutory system. Key milestones include early modern codifications and, more recently, constitutional reforms that shaped the balance between legislative authority and constitutional safeguards.

See also: Swedish Constitution; Svensk författningssamling.