Processrätten

Processrätten, or procedural law, is the branch of law that governs the methods by which rights are asserted and disputes resolved within a legal system. It sets the rules for how cases are initiated, how evidence is exchanged, how hearings are conducted, and how judicial decisions are issued and reviewed. Processrätten complements substantive law by defining the steps through which substantive claims take effect and are enforced.

In civil matters, procedural rules cover filing a case, service of process, the exchange of pleadings, disclosure of documents, witness and expert testimony, court hearings, and the enforcement of judgments. They regulate the allocation of jurisdiction, time limits, costs, and remedies such as injunctions or damages. In criminal matters, the rules describe the investigation, charges, the rights of the accused, the organization of trials, the presentation of evidence, and the process of appeal.

Administrative procedure governs how decisions by public authorities are made and reviewed, including opportunities for participation, notice-and-comment procedures, and avenues for appeal to administrative tribunals or courts. The field also covers provisional measures, enforceability of decisions, and the conduct of public officials within procedural limits.

Core principles of processrätten include due process, equality of arms, presumption of innocence in criminal cases, the right to a fair and public hearing, and the rule of law. The system provides remedies and enforcement mechanisms, safeguards judicial independence and impartiality, and interacts with international human rights law and, where applicable, regional or supranational legal frameworks. Practice evolves through statutes, court rules, and jurisprudence, adapting to technological and social changes.