2023-04-192022/23:CU6 · p.20CUCivil law & housing
General Matters Concerning Jurisdiction in Custody Cases
Requiring special child-competence for judges in custody cases
What's at stake: The issue concerns whether judges who decide custody disputes should be subject to a formal competence requirement regarding children's development and reactions to violence, in order to increase legal predictability in highly complex and sensitive disputes. It affects how consistently the best-interests-of-the-child principle is applied in court.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The motion called for judges who rule in custody, residence and contact cases to be required to have acquired special child-competence, while the committee was not prepared to propose any action on the matter.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee is not prepared to propose an initiative to the government on the matter and rejects the motion, referring to the fact that parliament has already directed announcements to the government about the competence of professionals in custody cases.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 23 (S, V, MP)
The reserving parties (S, V, MP) want the government to come back with legislation requiring judges who rule in custody, residence and contact cases to have acquired special child-competence — that is, knowledge of children's development and their reactions to violence and abuse within the family — as a minimum requirement for ruling in such cases.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 23 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | No 1/91/0/15 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 64/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Broke with the party line
| SAzadeh Rojhan (S, Stockholms län) | Yes — party line: No |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2022/23:245 by Nadja Awad et al. (V) demand 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2022/23:245 av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V) yrkande 3.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag directed a communication, a so-called message (tillkännagivande), to the Government on taking measures for a more functional, efficient and legally secure process for division of property. For the party in the worse economic position, it is usually of very great economic importance that the division of property is completed. Often, however, one party benefits from the division of property dragging out, which has been established in an investigation. The Riksdag notes that the Government is to begin mapping how large the problem with prolonged property division processes is. The Riksdag views this positively and considers it high time for the Government to move forward with the matter. In particular, the Government should review the possibility of introducing a reasonable final time limit for when a division of property should be completed. The message is based on several proposals in motions submitted during the general motion period in 2022. In total, the Riksdag has dealt with approximately 130 proposals in various family law matters, which also address, among other things, the legal regulation of parenthood, consideration period for divorce and various questions about custody. The Riksdag rejected the other motions, among other things by referring to the fact that the Government is already working on these matters.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants Sweden to advocate for infringement proceedings against countries that do not recognize same-sex marriages and for a regulation guaranteeing mutual recognition of parenthood within the EU. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 23
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The election manifesto explicitly establishes that the child perspective must be strengthened in custody disputes and requires increased knowledge within the legal system about violence against women and children.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly establishes that the child perspective must be strengthened in custody disputes and requires increased knowledge within the legal system about violence against women and children. A minimum requirement for specialist child competence among judges in custody cases is precisely this kind of knowledge requirement. The plan also binds all policy to putting children's best interests first, which the requirement for consistent interpretation of the child's best interest responds to.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår uttryckligen fast att barnperspektivet måste stärkas i vårdnadstvister och kräver ökad kunskap inom rättsväsendet om våld mot kvinnor och barn. Ett minimikrav på särskild barnkompetens för domare i vårdnadsmål är just den sortens kunskapskrav. Planen binder dessutom all politik till att barnens bästa kommer i första rummet, vilket kravet på likformig tolkning av barnets bästa svarar mot.
- strengthened child perspective in custody casesdecisive»Barnperspektivet måste stärkas i vårdnadstvister och det ska inte vara möjligt för våldsutövare att behålla gemensam vårdnad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The child perspective must be strengthened in custody disputes and it must not be possible for perpetrators of violence to retain joint custody.”
- knowledge in the legal system about violence»För det behövs det fler poliser, ökad kunskap inom rättsväsendet om samtycke och om våld mot kvinnor och barn, och straff som gör att brotten prioriteras av rättsvårdande instanser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“For that, we need more police, increased knowledge within the legal system about consent and about violence against women and children, and sentences that make these crimes a priority for law-enforcement agencies.”
- best interests of children first»Vänsterpartiets politik ska utformas så att barnens bästa kommer i första rummet.« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party's policy shall be shaped so that the best interests of children come first.”
- competence in the entire legal chain»För att lagstiftningen ska ha effekt, behöver hela rättskedjan fungera från anmälan till åtal och domslut.« (party programme ↗)“For legislation to have effect, the entire legal chain needs to function from report to prosecution and judgment.”
The party programme requires that the best interests of the child are considered in all decisions according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that administration is guided by professionalism and non-violence; the election manifesto promises measures against violence in close relationships.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires that the best interests of the child are considered in all decisions according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that administration is guided by professionalism and non-violence; the election manifesto promises measures against violence in close relationships. A minimum requirement for child competence among judges in custody cases is a means for uniform and expert application of the best interests of the child. Competence requirements for judges are not mentioned in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att barnens bästa beaktas vid alla beslut enligt barnkonventionen och att förvaltningen styrs av professionalitet och oväld; valmanifestet lovar krafttag mot våld i nära relationer. Ett minimikrav på barnkompetens hos domare i vårdnadsmål är ett medel för en likformig och sakkunnig tillämpning av barnets bästa. Kompetenskrav för domare nämns inte i dokumenten.
- the best interests of the child in all decisionsdecisive»Alla barn ska ha rätt till en trygg uppväxt i enlighet med FN:s barnkonvention. Barnens« (party programme ↗)“All children should have the right to a safe upbringing in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The best interests of children”
- professional application of the law»styrs av professionalitet och oväld« (party programme ↗)“is guided by professionalism and non-violence”
- knowledge about violence in the family»Krafttag för att stoppa hedersrelaterat våld, sexualbrott och mäns våld mot kvinnor. Vi vill fort sätta den politiska riktning som skärpt straffen för våld och andra kränkningar i nära relationer, och som ökat resurserna till kvinno- och tjejjourernas viktiga arbete.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Measures to stop honour-based violence, sexual crimes and men's violence against women. We want to continue the political direction that has toughened sentences for violence and other violations in close relationships, and that has increased resources to women's and girls' support centres' important work.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The election manifesto requires that children are protected from being forced into contact with a violent parent and that children's right to safety outweighs violent parents' right to their children.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that children are protected from being forced into contact with a violent parent and that children's right to safety outweighs violent parents' right to their children. The party programme wants to strengthen children's legal security when violence is suspected and make the children's convention into Swedish law. Requirement for special child competence among judges in custody cases is a means for exactly this.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att barn skyddas från att tvingas till umgänge med en våldsam förälder och att barns rätt till trygghet väger tyngre än våldsamma föräldrars rätt till sina barn. Partiprogrammet vill stärka barnets rättstrygghet vid misstankar om våld och göra barnkonventionen till svensk lag. Krav på särskild barnkompetens hos domare i vårdnadsmål är ett medel för just detta.
- protection against violent parentdecisive»skydda barn från att tvingas till umgänge med en våldsam förälder.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect children from being forced into contact with a violent parent.”
- the child's safety weighs most heavily»I vårt Sverige väger barns rätt till trygghet tyngre än våldsamma föräldrars rätt till sina barn.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In our Sweden children's right to safety outweighs violent parents' right to their children.”
- the child's legal security»Barnets rättstrygghet måste stärkas om det finns misstankar om våld eller sexuella övergrepp.« (party programme ↗)“The child's legal security must be strengthened if there are suspicions of violence or sexual abuse.”
- the children's convention as law»FN:s barnkonvention ska bli svensk lag och politiska beslut bör föregås av en barnkonsekvensanalys.« (party programme ↗)“The UN children's convention shall become Swedish law and political decisions should be preceded by a children's impact analysis.”
The plan states that children's rights and perspective are of greatest importance and that each child's right shall be protected, and it wants to train personnel to better detect violence and oppression against children.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that children's rights and perspective are of greatest importance and that each child's right shall be protected, and it wants to train personnel to better detect violence and oppression against children. A competency requirement for judges in custody cases serves the same purpose as a more uniform interpretation of the child's best interest. The plan at the same time values court independence and says nothing about qualification requirements for judges, so the assessment is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att barnens rättigheter och perspektiv är av största betydelse och att varje barns rätt ska värnas, och den vill utbilda personal för att bättre kunna upptäcka våld och förtryck mot barn. Ett kompetenskrav på domare i vårdnadsmål tjänar samma syfte som en mer likformig tolkning av barnets bästa. Planen värnar samtidigt domstolarnas oberoende och säger inget om behörighetskrav för domare, varför bedömningen är osäker.
- barnets perspektiv överordnatdecisive»Av största betydelse är då barnens rättigheter och perspektiv.« (party programme ↗)“Of greatest importance then are children's rights and perspective.”
- varje barns rätt»Särskilt viktigt är att värna varje barns rätt att bli respekterad och att bli sedd för den man är.« (party programme ↗)“Especially important is to protect every child's right to be respected and to be seen for who they are.”
- utbildad personal kring barn»För att snabbare fånga upp barn i riskzonen vill vi se handlingsplaner mot hedersförtryck i alla skolor och bättre utbildning av personal.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To faster catch children at risk we want to see action plans against honor-based violence in all schools and better training of personnel.”
- domstolarnas oberoende»Våra demokratiska institutioner behöver skydd. Vi vill göra det svårare att ändra grundlagen, skydda oppositionens ställning i riksdagen och stärka domstolarnas oberoende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our democratic institutions need protection. We want to make it harder to change the constitution, protect the position of the opposition in the Riksdag and strengthen court independence.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme requires that those who participate in interviews of or with children shall have special training and that children shall not be forced into contact with a parent who has abused the child.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires that those who participate in interviews of or with children shall have special training and that children shall not be forced into contact with a parent who has abused the child. Demands for special child competence in judges in custody cases is an application of the same commitment to the child's protection and rights, reinforced by the Convention on the Rights of the Child being Swedish law. The plan says nothing about the question already being sufficiently addressed.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att de som medverkar i förhör av eller med barn ska ha särskild utbildning och att barn inte tvingas till umgänge med en förälder som utsatt barnet för övergrepp. Krav på särskild barnkompetens hos domare i vårdnadsmål är en tillämpning av samma åtagande om barnets skydd och rättigheter, förstärkt av att barnkonventionen är svensk lag. Planen säger inget om att frågan redan skulle vara tillräckligt adresserad.
- special child competencedecisive»som medverkar i förhör av eller med barn ska ha särskild utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“who participate in interviews of or with children shall have special training.”
- child protection in contact»Barn ska inte tvingas till umgänge med en förälder« (party programme ↗)“Children shall not be forced into contact with a parent”
- Convention on the Rights of the Child as law»Genom att FN:s barnkonvention införlivats i svensk lag tydliggörs barns och ungas rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“By the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child being incorporated into Swedish law, children's and young people's rights are clarified.”
- children who experience violence»som upplever våld inom familjen är brottsoffer.« (party programme ↗)“who experience violence within the family are crime victims.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes the best interests of the child governing in decisions concerning children and requires well-educated staff at authorities that handle violence in close relationships.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes the best interests of the child governing in decisions concerning children and requires well-educated staff at authorities that handle violence in close relationships. A minimum requirement for child competence among judges in custody cases follows from that commitment and from the fact that children have the right to a safe upbringing environment. That courts' independence shall be valued speaks for competence requirements rather than control of outcomes.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör barnets bästa styrande vid beslut som rör barn och kräver välutbildade medarbetare i myndigheter som hanterar våld i nära relationer. Ett minimikrav på barnkompetens hos domare i vårdnadsmål följer av det åtagandet och av att barn har rätt till en trygg uppväxtmiljö. Att domstolarnas självständighet ska värnas talar för kompetenskrav snarare än styrning av utgången.
- the best interests of the child firstdecisive»barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet.« (party programme ↗)“the best interests of the child shall come first.”
- competence in the legal system»Effektiv handläggning av ärenden som rör våld i nära relationer förutsätter välutbildade medarbetare hos polis,« (party programme ↗)“Effective handling of cases involving violence in close relationships presupposes well-educated staff at police,”
- safe upbringing environment»Barn har rätt till en trygg uppväxtmiljö.« (party programme ↗)“Children have the right to a safe upbringing environment.”
- independent courts»Domstolarnas ställning ska vara stark och självständig.« (party programme ↗)“Courts' position shall be strong and independent.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires specialised expertise in handling sexual crimes and domestic violence to ensure more crimes lead to prosecution, and the programme states that the judiciary must have the capacity to rule fairly.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires specialised expertise in handling sexual crimes and domestic violence to ensure more crimes lead to prosecution, and the programme states that the judiciary must have the capacity to rule fairly. A minimum requirement for child expertise for judges in custody cases is in line with that. The plan does not mention competence requirements for judges and also values the judiciary's independence.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver specialiserad kompetens i hanteringen av sexualbrott och våld i nära relation för att fler brott ska leda till lagföring, och programmet slår fast att domstolsväsendet ska ha förmågan att döma rättssäkert. Ett minimikrav på barnkompetens för domare i vårdnadsmål ligger i linje med det. Planen nämner dock inga kompetenskrav för domare och värnar samtidigt domstolarnas oberoende.
- specialist expertise against violencedecisive»Införa särskilda grupper i varje polisregion som är specialiserade på sexualbrott och våld i nära relation för att fler anmälda brott ska leda till lagföring och straff« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Establish specialist groups in each police region specialising in sexual crimes and domestic violence so that more reported crimes lead to prosecution and punishment”
- fair judicial capacity»domstolsväsende som har förmågan att döma rättssäkert.« (party programme ↗)“a judiciary that has the capacity to rule fairly.”
- violence against women and children is combated»Våld har ingen plats i vårt samhälle.« (party programme ↗)“Violence has no place in our society.”
- court independence»Stärka domstolarnas oberoende och skyddet för medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the courts' independence and protection of citizens' freedoms and rights”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires knowledge-raising measures for all working with children, young people and family law issues as well as increased quality and legal security in child investigations.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires knowledge-raising measures for all working with children, young people and family law issues as well as increased quality and legal security in child investigations. A minimum requirement for special child competence for judges in custody cases is an application of the same commitment, with the child's best interests as norm. The plan does not address the committee's reason that the issue should already be addressed through earlier calls.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver kunskapshöjande åtgärder för alla som arbetar med barn, unga och familjerättsliga frågor samt ökad kvalitet och rättssäkerhet i barnutredningar. Ett minimikrav på särskild barnkompetens för domare i vårdnadsmål är en tillämpning av samma åtagande, med barnets bästa som norm. Planen berör inte utskottets skäl att frågan redan skulle vara adresserad genom tidigare uppmaningar.
- enhanced competence in family lawdecisive»Det behövs också kunskapshöjande åtgärder för alla som arbetar med barn och unga och familjerättsliga frågor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Knowledge-raising measures are also needed for all working with children and young people and family law issues.”
- legally secure child investigations»Öka kvalité och rättssäkerhet i utredningar om barn« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase quality and legal security in investigations concerning children”
- child's best interests guides practice»Barns intressen och barnets bästa är dock centralt för oss och praxis bör alltid utgå ifrån att barn har rätt till sina föräldrar och inte tvärt om.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Children's interests and the child's best interests are however central to us and practice should always be based on children having the right to their parents and not the other way around.”
- child's best interests always»Att barnets bästa alltid ska beaktas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That the child's best interests shall always be considered”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:CU6)
- Committee report full text (HA01CU6)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:1057 — Våldsutövande föräldrars rätt till vårdnad av Azadeh Rojhan och Alexandra Völker (båda S)
- Motion 2022/23:1060 — Ökat barnrättsperspektiv i mål om vårdnad av Sanne Lennström och Ardalan Shekarabi (båda S)
- Motion 2022/23:1096 — Rätten att själv bestämma över sin kvarlåtenskap av Alexandra Anstrell och Mats Green (båda M)
- Motion 2022/23:1115 — Införande av registrering av testamenten och framtidsfullmakter av Ingemar Kihlström (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1188 — Internationell solidaritet - en stark röst för hbtq-plus-personers rättigheter av Anna Wallentheim m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:1311 — Kvinnor som lever under hot av Alexandra Völker och Azadeh Rojhan (båda S)
- Motion 2022/23:1673 — Jämställdhet för hållbar utveckling av Annie Lööf m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1680 — Situationen för kvinnor som tvingas leva gömda av Helena Vilhelmsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1682 — Arvode för vigselförrättare av Ulrika Heie (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1731 — Tidsgräns vid bodelning av Eva Lindh m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:1836 — Krav på bodelningsprocessen av Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson och Helena Bouveng (båda M)
- Motion 2022/23:1980 — Borgerlig vigselförrättare av Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson och Ulrika Heindorff (båda M)
- Motion 2022/23:2070 — Ekonomiskt våld mot kvinnor av Robert Hannah (L)
- Motion 2022/23:2090 — En familjepolitik för alla barns rätt till sina föräldrar av Ulrika Westerlund m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:2117 — Förbud mot kusingifte av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2022/23:2139 — Utgiftsområde 4 Rättsväsendet av Ardalan Shekarabi m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2218 — Familjerätt av Jennie Nilsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2250 — Identifiera föräldraalienation och umgängessabotage av Runar Filper (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:2277 — Jämställdhetspolitik av Märta Stenevi m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:245 — Våld och vårdnad av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
Source: The Swedish Parliament