hovrätter

Hovrätter are intermediate appellate courts in Sweden. They handle appeals from the district courts (tingsrätter) and are also the first instance for certain types of cases, though this is rare. There are six hovrätter located in Stockholm, Jönköping, Gothenburg, Sundsvall, Umeå, and Malmö.

The primary function of a hovrätt is to review decisions made by the district courts. This review can involve re-examining evidence presented at the district court level or, in some instances, hearing new evidence. The purpose is to correct any errors in law or fact that may have occurred in the lower court. Appeals to a hovrätt are typically granted leave to appeal, meaning the court must first decide whether to hear the case. This is to ensure that only cases with a reasonable chance of success or those raising important legal issues are reviewed.

A hovrätt is composed of a president and several judges, known as lagman and rådman. The composition of the court for hearing a case can vary depending on the complexity and importance of the matter. Decisions are made by a panel of judges. The decisions of a hovrätt can, in turn, be appealed to the Supreme Court (Högsta domstolen), but leave to appeal is also required. The hovrätter play a crucial role in the Swedish judicial system by ensuring a system of review and upholding the rule of law.