Rättegångsbalken

Rättegångsbalken, commonly abbreviated RB, is the Swedish Code of Judicial Procedure. It is the central statute governing civil and criminal procedure in Sweden, setting out how courts function, how legal proceedings are initiated, conducted and concluded, and the rights and duties of the parties, prosecutors, counsel, and witnesses in Swedish courts.

Scope: RB covers civil proceedings (tvistegång) and criminal proceedings (brottmål). It defines jurisdiction of courts, the sequence of proceedings from filing to judgment, the organisation of the court, the roles of the parties and legal representatives, rules on evidence and examination, and the remedies available through appeals and enforcement of decisions.

Procedure: The code governs case management, hearings, examination of witnesses and expert witnesses, submission of documents, proof evaluation, and the rendering of reasoned judgments. It seeks to secure due process, an equal opportunity for parties to present their case, and public, efficient administration of justice.

History and status: Adopted in the early 1940s and entering into force in 1942, RB remains the cornerstone of Swedish procedural law. It has been repeatedly amended to reflect developments in case law, international and EU law, and reforms in the justice system, while preserving core principles of fairness and legality.

Relation to other laws: RB works together with other statutes such as the criminal code (Brottsbalken) and various procedural and enforcement provisions. It is interpreted by the courts, with oversight by the Supreme Court, and is central to both private and public legal proceedings in Sweden.