2024-04-242023/24:CU9 · p.6CUCivil law & housing
Child's right to be heard in custody matters
Judges meeting the child in person in custody cases
What's at stake: How a child's views are captured in custody disputes affects how well decisions on custody, residence, and contact reflect the child's best interests, and concerns above all the children who are parties to such cases as well as the judges and social services that investigate them.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether judges in custody cases should be required to meet the child in person, or whether the child's existing opportunity to be heard through social services and the court's current assessment is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee points to the fact that social services usually ensure the child has the opportunity to express their views in custody, residence, and contact cases, and that the court bears the ultimate responsibility for meeting participation requirements. The committee also notes that parliament has already previously urged the government to strengthen the competence of professionals in custody cases, and therefore rejects the motion to make it mandatory for judges to meet the child in person.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 4 (SD)
The reservation (SD) wants the government to take the initiative for a legislative amendment making it mandatory for judges in custody cases to meet the child in person, pointing to research showing that direct contact with the child can increase the judge's understanding of the child's situation and contribute to decisions that better take the child's wishes and interests into account.
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 4 by SD.
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 | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | Yes 92/0/0/14 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 16/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 22/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 15/0/0/1 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/63/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:2073 by Michael Rubbestad et al. (SD) provision 11.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:2073 av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD) yrkande 11.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to 130 proposals in motions on family law from the general motion period in 2023. Among other things, the Riksdag refers to work already being underway on the issues that the proposals address. The proposals dealt with, among other things, a gender-neutral parental code, the number of custodians for a child, legal representation for children, and certain issues regarding custody, residence, and contact in cases of family violence.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to make it mandatory for judges in custody matters to personally meet the child. (SD) — Reservation 4
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 plan requires that the child perspective be strengthened in custody disputes and that the child's best interests come first, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the child perspective be strengthened in custody disputes and that the child's best interests come first, with the Convention on the Rights of the Child as the basis. An obligation for the judge to personally meet the child strengthens the child's opportunity to be heard in precisely these cases. The plan does not specify the form of the child's hearing, so support is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att barnperspektivet stärks i vårdnadstvister och att barnens bästa kommer i första rummet, med barnkonventionen som grund. En skyldighet för domaren att träffa barnet personligen stärker barnets möjlighet att komma till tals i just dessa mål. Planen anger inte formen för barnets hörande, varför stödet är härlett.
- strengthened child perspective in custody disputesdecisive»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 should not be possible for abusers to retain joint custody.”
- child's best interests first»Vänsterpartiets politik ska utformas så att barnens bästa kommer i första rummet.« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party's policy shall be designed so that the best interests of children come first.”
- Convention on the Rights of the Child as basis»Därför fastslås barns rättigheter i särskild ordning i Barnkonventionen.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore, children's rights are enshrined in special order in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
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 programme binds the party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to children's best interests being considered in all decisions and all children having the right to equal conditions.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The programme binds the party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to children's best interests being considered in all decisions and all children having the right to equal conditions. An obligation for the judge to meet the child personally strengthens the child's participation in precisely those decisions that concern the child itself. However, the issue is not directly addressed in the documents, so the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Programmet binder partiet vid barnkonventionen och vid att barnens bästa ska beaktas vid alla beslut samt att alla barn har rätt till likvärdiga villkor. En skyldighet för domaren att träffa barnet personligen stärker barnets delaktighet i just de beslut som rör barnet självt. Frågan behandlas dock inte direkt i dokumenten, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the child's best interestsdecisive»Alla barn ska ha rätt till en trygg uppväxt i enlighet med FN:s barnkonvention. Barnens« (party programme ↗)“All children shall have the right to a safe upbringing in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children's”
- equal conditions for children»Alla barn och ungdomar ska ha rätt till likvärdiga villkor« (party programme ↗)“All children and young people shall have the right to equal conditions”
- respect for human rights»Respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna är en förutsättning för demokrati.« (party programme ↗)“Respect for human rights is a condition for democracy.”
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 wants to make the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Swedish law and sees children as active co-creators, not passive recipients, and requires strengthened legal protection for children in cases of suspected violence.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme wants to make the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Swedish law and sees children as active co-creators, not passive recipients, and requires strengthened legal protection for children in cases of suspected violence. The election manifesto puts children's right to safety before violent parents' rights. That the judge is required to meet the child personally strengthens the child's participation and is thereby in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet vill göra barnkonventionen till svensk lag och ser barn som aktiva medskapare, inte passiva mottagare, samt kräver stärkt rättstrygghet för barn vid misstankar om våld. Valmanifestet sätter barns rätt till trygghet före våldsamma föräldrars rätt. Att domaren är skyldig att träffa barnet personligen stärker barnets delaktighet och ligger därmed i linje med planen.
- the convention on children's rights as lawdecisive»barnkonvention ska bli svensk lag och politiska« (party programme ↗)“UN Convention on the Rights of the Child shall become Swedish law and policy”
- children as active co-creators»vara en rättighet för alla. Barn är aktiva medskapare« (party programme ↗)“be a right for all. Children are active co-creators”
- the child's best interest in contact matters»skydda barn från att tvingas till umgänge med en våldsam förälder.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect children from being forced to have contact with a violent parent.”
- strengthened legal protection for children»ohälsa. Barnets rättstrygghet måste stärkas om det« (party programme ↗)“ill-being. The legal protection of children must be strengthened if”
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 establishes that every child's right to be seen shall be protected and that children's rights and perspectives are of the greatest importance when society's actors make decisions.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that every child's right to be seen shall be protected and that children's rights and perspectives are of the greatest importance when society's actors make decisions. A requirement for the judge to meet the child personally in custody cases strengthens precisely the child's participation. The plan says nothing about the courts' procedures, which is why the position is inferred and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att varje barns rätt att bli sedd ska värnas och att barnens rättigheter och perspektiv är av största betydelse när samhällets aktörer fattar beslut. En skyldighet för domaren att träffa barnet personligen i vårdnadsmål stärker just barnets delaktighet. Planen säger inget om domstolarnas arbetsformer, varför ställningstagandet är härlett och osäkert.
- child's right to be seendecisive»Särskilt viktigt är att värna varje barns rätt att bli respekterad och att bli sedd för den man är.« (party programme ↗)“Particularly important is to protect every child's right to be respected and to be seen for who they are.”
- child perspective in decisions»Av största betydelse är då barnens rättigheter och perspektiv.« (party programme ↗)“Of the greatest importance are then children's rights and perspectives.”
- right to have case heard»Alla som bor i Sverige ska kunna få sin sak prövad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Everyone who lives in Sweden shall be able to have their case heard.”
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 establishes that children have the right to be respected as individuals and that the Convention on the Rights of the Child as law clarifies children's rights, and wants children to have the right to their own advocate when the family is subject to social services interventions.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that children have the right to be respected as individuals and that the Convention on the Rights of the Child as law clarifies children's rights, and wants children to have the right to their own advocate when the family is subject to social services interventions. The judge personally meeting the child strengthens the same participation. The plan simultaneously requires special training for those who conduct interviews with children, which is a condition rather than an objection.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att barn har rätt att respekteras som individer och att barnkonventionen som lag tydliggör barns rättigheter, och vill att barn ska ha rätt till ett eget ombud när familjen är föremål för socialtjänstens insatser. Att domaren själv möter barnet stärker samma delaktighet. Planen kräver samtidigt särskild utbildning hos den som medverkar i förhör med barn, vilket är ett villkor snarare än en invändning.
- children as autonomous rights-bearersdecisive»Barn och ungdomar har rätt att respekteras som individer och i takt med åldern få ta ett ökande« (party programme ↗)“Children and young people have the right to be respected as individuals and as they grow older receive an increasing”
- the child's own voice»När en hel familj behöver socialtjänstens stöd ska barn ha rätt« (party programme ↗)“When an entire family needs support from social services, children shall have the right”
- the Convention on the Rights of the Child as law»Genom att FN:s barnkonvention införlivats i svensk lag tydliggörs« (party programme ↗)“By incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Swedish law, it is clarified”
- competence in child interviews»De som medverkar i förhör av eller med barn ska ha särskild utbildning.« (party programme ↗)“Those who participate in interviews with or of children shall have special training.”
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 establishes that the child's best interests shall come first and that social policy measures shall provide conditions for influence and participation from the individual, for both adults and children.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the child's best interests shall come first and that social policy measures shall provide conditions for influence and participation from the individual, for both adults and children. Children and young people shall have a say when decisions affecting them are made. That the judge meets the child personally strengthens precisely that participation and is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet och att socialpolitiska insatser ska ge förutsättningar för inflytande och delaktighet från den enskilde, för såväl vuxna som barn. Barn och unga ska komma till tals när beslut som rör dem fattas. Att domaren träffar barnet personligen stärker just den delaktigheten och stöds därför av planen.
- the child's best interests foremostdecisive»barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet« (party programme ↗)“the child's best interests shall come first”
- children's participation in decisions»ge förutsättningar för inflytande och delaktighet från den enskilde, för såväl vuxna som barn« (party programme ↗)“provide conditions for influence and participation from the individual, for both adults and children”
- listen to children and young people»beakta ungdomars synpunkter när beslut fattas« (party programme ↗)“take into account young people's views when decisions are made”
- secure upbringing»Barn har rätt till en trygg uppväxtmiljö.« (party programme ↗)“Children have the right to a secure growing-up environment.”
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 says nothing about how children should be heard in custody cases.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about how children should be heard in custody cases. The closest principle is that children's development is society's most important investment and that society should intervene when children are harmed, which the plan pushes hard on in other areas. Based on that principle, the plan gives weak support for the judge to personally meet the child, while the independence of the courts should be protected.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger ingenting om hur barn ska höras i vårdnadsmål. Närmast liggande princip är att barns utveckling är samhällets viktigaste investering och att samhället ska ingripa när barn far illa, vilket planen driver hårt på andra områden. Utifrån den principen ger planen ett svagt stöd för att domaren personligen ska träffa barnet, samtidigt som domstolarnas oberoende ska värnas.
- children's development firstdecisive»Samhällets viktigaste investering för framtiden är barns utveckling.« (party programme ↗)“Society's most important investment for the future is children's development.”
- strong child perspective»Säkerställa att fler omhändertas enligt LVU« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure that more are taken into care according to the Care of Children Act”
- the independence of the courts»Stärka domstolarnas oberoende och skyddet för medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the independence of the courts and the 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 makes the child's best interest the central starting point for family policy and requires that investigations concerning children are quality-assured and legally secure.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes the child's best interest the central starting point for family policy and requires that investigations concerning children are quality-assured and legally secure. That the judge personally meets the child in custody cases strengthens precisely the child's participation and the quality of the decision basis. The plan does not specify how the child should be heard, which is why the coverage is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör barnets bästa till familjepolitikens centrala utgångspunkt och kräver att utredningar som rör barn är kvalitetssäkrade och rättssäkra. Att domaren personligen träffar barnet i vårdnadsmål stärker just barnets delaktighet och beslutsunderlagets kvalitet. Planen anger inte hur barnet ska höras, varför täckningen är härledd.
- the child's best interestdecisive»Att barnets bästa alltid ska beaktas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That the child's best interest should always be considered”
- legally secure child investigations»Utredningar rörande barn ska vara kvalitetssäkrade och rättssäkra.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Investigations concerning children should be quality-assured and legally secure.”
- the child's best interest in all situations»Sverigedemokraternas familjepolitik är att barnens bästa skall beaktas i alla situationer« (party programme ↗)“Sweden Democrats' family policy is that the children's best interest should be considered in all situations”
- increased quality in investigations»Öka kvalité och rättssäkerhet i utredningar om barn« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase quality and legal security in investigations on children”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:CU9)
- Committee report full text (HB01CU9)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:104 — Adoptionsrelaterade frågor av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2023/24:1053 — Arvode till vigselförrättare av Gunilla Carlsson och Dzenan Cisija (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1054 — Könsneutral föräldrabalk av Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1072 — Internationell solidaritet - en stark röst för hbtq-plus-personers rättigheter av Anna Wallentheim och Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1116 — Avskaffande av laglotten av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1230 — Arvode till vigselförrättare av Ulrika Heie (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1295 — Registrering av testamente av Malin Larsson och Peter Hedberg (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1374 — Ändring i föräldrabalken avseende beräkning av arvode för god man/förvaltare av Torsten Elofsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:1378 — Införande av registrering av testamenten och framtidsfullmakter av Ingemar Kihlström (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:1475 — Uppdaterade regler för överförmyndare och gode män av Markus Wiechel och Alexander Christiansson (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1477 — Förlorad vårdnad vid mord av Markus Wiechel och Alexander Christiansson (båda SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1641 — Separerande av vigsel och välsignelse av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1672 — Våldsutövande föräldrar av Azadeh Rojhan och Alexandra Völker (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1678 — Kvinnor som lever gömda av Alexandra Völker och Azadeh Rojhan (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1735 — Ekonomiskt våld av Robert Hannah m.fl. (L)
- Motion 2023/24:1836 — Barns rätt till eget ombud i vårdnadstvister av Ida Ekeroth Clausson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1895 — Fler än två vårdnadshavare av Yasmine Bladelius och Anna Wallentheim (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2045 — Skyndsamt införande av tidsgräns för bodelning av Sanne Lennström m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2073 — Mäns våld mot kvinnor och våld i nära relationer av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2212 — Borgerlig vigselförrättare av Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson och Ulrika Heindorff (båda M)
Source: The Swedish Parliament