2026-02-172025/26:JuU17 · p.5JuUJustice
Service of Documents
A new inquiry into service-of-process rules
What's at stake: Failed service of process causes criminal trials to be cancelled and hampers debt collection, letting suspects and debtors avoid accountability simply by staying out of reach.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
Whether the government should launch a new inquiry to tighten service-of-process rules - including criminalising evasion of service and freezing the statute of limitations - or whether work already under way is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The Committee rejects the motions. The government has already initiated work on the issue, including a forthcoming inquiry into more effective service of process, including digital service, and parliament should not pre-empt that work.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 2 (S)
S wants the government to promptly set up an inquiry to take forward the authorities' (the Swedish Enforcement Authority's, the National Courts Administration's and the Social Insurance Agency's) proposals on service via government service points, the ability to request assistance from another agency, and digital posting, and to examine criminalising evasion of service and freezing the statute of limitations during the service period - because current rules remain too resource-intensive and still make it possible to evade the legal process.
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 2 by S.
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 19/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/92/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Yes 16/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | 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: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:1706 by Staffan Eklöf (SD) and 2025/26:3586 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S) demand 100.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:1706 av Staffan Eklöf (SD) och 2025/26:3586 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S) yrkande 100.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected 51 proposals on procedural law issues. The proposals were submitted during the general motion submission period 2025 and address among other things secret coercive measures, service of documents, and mapping of security risks related to the court system's facility management. The Riksdag refers primarily to the fact that work is already underway in the areas that the proposals address and to previous Riksdag decisions.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to appoint an investigation into improved service procedures, including the possibility of criminalizing evasion of service. (S) — Reservation 2
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 demands that the justice system works and that those who commit crimes are prosecuted, and that society can act collectively, effectively, and legally securely.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands that the justice system works and that those who commit crimes are prosecuted, and that society can act collectively, effectively, and legally securely. More effective service of documents addresses that. At the same time, the plan requires that sentences and penalties be carefully designed to actually reduce crime, which makes criminalization of evading service more questionable and reduces confidence in the position.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att rättssystemet fungerar och att de som begår brott döms, och att samhället kan agera samlat, effektivt och rättssäkert. Effektivare delgivning svarar mot det. Samtidigt kräver planen att straff och påföljder är noggrant utformade för att faktiskt sänka brottsligheten, vilket gör kriminaliseringen av att hålla sig undan mer tveksam och sänker säkerheten i ställningstagandet.
- functioning legal processdecisive»Det är viktigt att rättssystemet fungerar, att kvinnors erfarenheter tas på allvar och att de som begår brott döms.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important that the justice system works, that women's experiences are taken seriously and that those who commit crimes are prosecuted.”
- effective and legally secure»kunna agera samlat, effektivt och rättssäkert för att förhindra brott« (party programme ↗)“be able to act collectively, effectively and legally securely to prevent crime”
- carefully designed penalties»Straff och andra påföljder för brott behöver vara noggrant« (party programme ↗)“Sentences and other penalties for crimes need to be careful”
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 an increased share of solved crimes and action to apprehend and prosecute the top levels of criminal groups.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires an increased share of solved crimes and action to apprehend and prosecute the top levels of criminal groups. That the person who evades service can slow down the legal process counteracts both goals, and more efficient service is such a tool that the plan wants to give the justice system. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's demand, with the reservation that criminal policy should be legally secure.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver en ökad andel uppklarade brott och åtgärder för att gripa och lagföra kriminella grupperingars toppskikt. Att den som håller sig undan delgivning kan bromsa rättsprocessen motverkar båda målen, och effektivare delgivning är ett sådant verktyg som planen vill ge rättsväsendet. Planen stöder därför motförslagets krav, med förbehållet att kriminalpolitiken ska vara rättssäker.
- more solved crimesdecisive»Ökad andel uppklarade brott.« (party programme ↗)“Increased share of solved crimes.”
- prosecution of criminals»Åtgärder för att gripa och lagföra kriminella grupperingars toppskikt.« (party programme ↗)“Action to apprehend and prosecute the top levels of criminal groups.”
- more tools for the justice system»Polisen behöver också fler verktyg, som bättre möjligheter till avlyssning och husrannsakan.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The police also needs more tools, such as better opportunities for wiretapping and house searches.”
- efficient and legally secure process»Kriminalpolitik byggd på evidens, effektivitet och rättssäkerhet.« (party programme ↗)“Criminal policy built on evidence, efficiency and legal security.”
The plan states that the justice system should have sufficient resources to prosecute crimes and that it is a betrayal of crime victims when crimes are not solved; more efficient service of documents serves that purpose.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that the justice system should have sufficient resources to prosecute crimes and that it is a betrayal of crime victims when crimes are not solved; more efficient service of documents serves that purpose. At the same time, the plan requires that new legislation be carefully examined in light of legal certainty, which calls for caution in criminalizing evasion. The plan does not address service of documents as such, so the support is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att rättsväsendet ska ha tillräckliga resurser för att lagföra brott och att det är ett svek mot brottsoffren när brott inte klaras upp; en effektivare delgivning tjänar det syftet. Samtidigt kräver planen att ny lagstiftning prövas noggrant utifrån rättssäkerhet, vilket manar till försiktighet med kriminalisering av att hålla sig undan. Planen behandlar inte delgivning i sak, så stödet är härlett.
- resources to prosecute crimesdecisive»Miljöpartiet vill att rättsväsendet ska ha tillräckliga resurser för att skydda utsatta« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party wants the justice system to have sufficient resources to protect the vulnerable”
- crimes should be solved»När brott inte utreds eller klaras upp är det ett svek mot dem som drabbats.« (party programme ↗)“When crimes are not investigated or solved, it is a betrayal of those affected.”
- legally sound legislation»prövas noggrant utifrån rättssäkerhet och grundläggande fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“carefully examined in light of legal certainty and fundamental 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 election manifesto demands that processing times in courts and authorities be shortened and that the entire criminal justice system be strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto demands that processing times in courts and authorities be shortened and that the entire criminal justice system be strengthened. The counter-proposal's investigation into more efficient service of process, including digital solutions and service offices, is a direct implementation of that commitment. The fact that more crimes should be solved also speaks to the fact that it should not be possible to avoid the legal process by avoiding service of process.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att ledtiderna för handläggning och myndighetsutövning i domstolar och myndigheter kortas och att hela rättskedjan stärks. Motförslagets utredning om effektivare delgivning, inklusive digitala lösningar och servicekontor, är en direkt tillämpning av det åtagandet. Att fler brott ska klaras upp talar också för att det inte ska gå att undkomma rättsprocessen genom att hålla sig undan delgivning.
- shorter processing times in the criminal justice systemdecisive»Alla som bor i Sverige ska kunna få sin sak prövad. Ledtiderna för handläggning och myndighetsutövning i domstolar och myndigheter måste kortas och tillgången till ombud förbättras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Everyone living in Sweden shall be able to have their case heard. Processing times in courts and authorities must be shortened and access to legal representation improved.”
- strengthened criminal justice system»Vi behöver rusta Sveriges totalförsvar, stärka hela rättskedjan, satsa på förebyggande insatser och en likvärdig skola.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We need to strengthen Sweden's total defence, strengthen the entire criminal justice system, invest in preventive measures and an equal school.”
- more solved crimes»Tryggheten ska förbättras i hela landet och fler brott som drabbar folk i deras vardag ska klaras upp.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Security shall be improved throughout the country and more crimes affecting people in their daily lives shall be solved.”
- digitalization on equal terms»Digitalisering på lika villkor, oavsett var man bor, är en förutsättning för demokrati och möjliggör decentralisering.« (party programme ↗)“Digitalization on equal terms, regardless of where one lives, is a prerequisite for democracy and enables decentralization.”
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 that the justice system's capacity and efficiency be improved so that processing times are shortened and fewer reports are dismissed, and that authorities can efficiently share information with each other.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the justice system's capacity and efficiency be improved so that processing times are shortened and fewer reports are dismissed, and that authorities can efficiently share information with each other. Service office delivery, assistance from another authority and digital service are means for precisely this. The plan's principle that public functions shall be made digitally available supports the requirement for digital service.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att rättsväsendets förmåga och effektivitet förbättras så att handläggningstiderna kortas och färre anmälningar avskrivs, och att myndigheter effektivt kan dela information med varandra. Delgivning via servicekontor, biträde av annan myndighet och digital spikning är medel för just detta. Planens princip att offentliga funktioner ska göras digitalt tillgängliga bär kravet på digital delgivning.
- more efficient justice systemdecisive»Rättsväsendets förmåga och effektivitet behöver förbättras så att handläggningstiderna kortas, fler brott anmäls och klaras upp samt färre brottsanmälningar avskrivs.« (party programme ↗)“The justice system's capacity and efficiency need to be improved so that processing times are shortened, more crimes are reported and solved, and fewer crime reports are dismissed.”
- digital service possible»En central princip är därför att alla offentliga funktioner som till en rimlig kostnad kan göras digitalt tillgängliga också ska göras digitalt tillgängliga.« (party programme ↗)“A central principle is therefore that all public functions that can be made digitally available at reasonable cost shall also be made digitally available.”
- information sharing between authorities»Det förutsätter att myndigheter effektivt kan dela information med varandra.« (party programme ↗)“This requires that authorities can efficiently share information with each other.”
- government service across the country»Tillgången till statlig service ska säkras i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“Access to government service shall be secured throughout the country.”
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 demands that respect for the law be maintained firmly, that perpetrators be prosecuted swiftly and that the court system be organized so that judgments can be delivered within reasonable time.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme demands that respect for the law be maintained firmly, that perpetrators be prosecuted swiftly and that the court system be organized so that judgments can be delivered within reasonable time. That someone who avoids service of process can slow down the legal process is in direct conflict with this, and the counter-proposal's measures — service offices, public legal counsel, digital posting and stopped prescription — are aimed precisely at removing this obstacle. The election manifesto furthermore wants to establish more state service offices.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att respekten för lagarna upprätthålls med fasthet, att förövare skyndsamt lagförs och att domstolsväsendet är organiserat så att domar kan ges inom rimlig tid. Att den som håller sig undan delgivning kan bromsa rättsprocessen står i direkt strid med det, och motförslagets åtgärder - servicekontor, myndighetsbiträde, digital spikning och stoppad preskription - syftar just till att undanröja hindret. Valmanifestet vill dessutom inrätta fler statliga servicekontor.
- swift prosecutiondecisive»Respekten för lagarna ska därför upprätthållas med fasthet och förövare av brott ska skyndsamt lagföras.« (party programme ↗)“Respect for the law shall therefore be maintained firmly and perpetrators of crimes shall be prosecuted swiftly.”
- judgments within reasonable time»Domstolsväsendet ska vara organiserat så att domar och beslut kan ges inom rimlig tid.« (party programme ↗)“The court system shall be organized so that judgments and decisions can be delivered within reasonable time.”
- all crimes shall be prosecuted»Alla brott ska effektivt och utan undantag beivras, också sådana som kan avfärdas som smärre brott och förseelser.« (party programme ↗)“All crimes shall be effectively and without exception prosecuted, including those that may be dismissed as minor crimes and offences.”
- more state service offices»Fler poliser med lokal närvaro, utbyggd primärvård, enklare starta lokal läkarmottagning och inrätta fler statliga servicekontor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More police with local presence, expanded primary healthcare, easier to start a local medical clinic and establish more state service offices.”
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 justice system is undersized and commits that more crimes should lead to convictions, among other things through more prosecutors, and that government agencies' processing times should be shortened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the justice system is undersized and commits that more crimes should lead to convictions, among other things through more prosecutors, and that government agencies' processing times should be shortened. More efficient service of documents, digital notices and measures against those who evade legal proceedings serve precisely that purpose. The plan's principled demand for a prosecution service that can swiftly and effectively bring charges points in the same direction.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att rättsväsendet är underdimensionerat och åtar sig att fler brott ska leda till fällande dom, bland annat genom fler åklagare, samt att myndigheternas handläggningstider ska kortas. Effektivare delgivning, digital spikning och åtgärder mot den som håller sig undan rättsprocessen tjänar just det syftet. Planens principiella krav på ett åklagarväsende som snabbt och effektivt kan väcka åtal pekar åt samma håll.
- more crimes shall be prosecuteddecisive»Satsa på fler åklagare så att fler brott kan leda till fällande dom« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in more prosecutors so that more crimes can lead to convictions”
- undersized justice system»Svenskt rättsväsende är uppenbart underdimensionerat i förhållande till den kriminalitet som samhället drabbas av idag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish justice system is plainly undersized in relation to the crime society suffers from today.”
- swift and effective prosecution»med ett åklagarväsende som snabbt och effektivt kan« (party programme ↗)“with a prosecution service that swiftly and effectively can”
- shorter processing times»Korta myndigheternas handläggningstider genom en bortre tidsgräns« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Shorten government agencies' processing times by setting an outer time limit”
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 that procedural barriers to increased prosecution be removed and that inter-agency cooperation within the justice system and tools for detecting and prosecuting criminals be improved.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that procedural barriers to increased prosecution be removed and that inter-agency cooperation within the justice system and tools for detecting and prosecuting criminals be improved. The starting point is that all crimes shall be investigated and prosecuted. The counter-proposal's demands for more effective service of documents, inter-agency support, digital notification and action against those evading process directly address these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att processuella hinder för ökad lagföring undanröjs och att rättsväsendets samverkan mellan myndigheter och verktyg för att upptäcka och lagföra kriminella förbättras. Utgångspunkten är att alla brott ska utredas och lagföras. Motförslagets krav på effektivare delgivning, biträde mellan myndigheter, digital spikning och åtgärder mot den som håller sig undan svarar direkt mot dessa åtaganden.
- remove procedural barriersdecisive»Processuella hinder för att möjliggöra en ökad lagföring måste också undanröjas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Procedural barriers to enable increased prosecution must also be removed.”
- better inter-agency cooperation»Rättsväsendets samverkan mellan myndigheter och verktyg för att upptäcka och lagföra kriminella ska förbättras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Inter-agency cooperation within the justice system and tools for detecting and prosecuting criminals shall be improved.”
- zero tolerance for crime»Införa nolltolerans mot brott så att även mindre allvarliga brott utreds och lagförs« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce zero tolerance for crime so that even less serious crimes are investigated and prosecuted”
- strengthened justice system»Säkerställa satsningar för ett kraftigt upprustat rättsväsende« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure investments in a significantly strengthened justice system”
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 (2025/26:JuU17)
- Committee report full text (HD01JuU17)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:120 — Rättegångskostnader vid vinst i domstol av Angelica Lundberg (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1287 — Höjt krav på utbildning för nämndemän av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1398 — Ta del av egna uppgifter av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1400 — Dold egendomsbevakning av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:144 — Rättshjälp vid tvist gentemot det allmänna av Per Söderlund och Eric Palmqvist (båda SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1479 — Förundersökningssekretessen av Eva Lindh m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1508 — Märkning av åtelkameror och fällor med jägar-id av Erik Ottoson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1513 — Stärkt rättssamhälle och äganderätt av Mats Green och Susanne Nordström (båda M)
- Motion 2025/26:1548 — Politiskt tillsatta nämndemän av Alireza Akhondi (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1559 — Anonyma ansökningar för domare vid rekrytering av Cecilia Engström (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1706 — Förenklade delgivningsregler av Staffan Eklöf (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1771 — Systemet med offentliga försvarare av Boriana Åberg (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2060 — En rättssäker digital offentlighet av Anders Ådahl (C)
- Motion 2025/26:24 — Straffreduktion för kronvittnen som lämnar landet av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2410 — Stärkt skydd för nämndemän i domstolsväsendet av Pia Trollehjelm (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2414 — Avtjänande av straff i hemlandet för utländska medborgare som vistas i Sverige utan tillstånd av Pia Trollehjelm (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2415 — Rättssäkerhet och kostnadsansvar för utländska medborgare i svenska domstolar av Pia Trollehjelm (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2546 — Domstolars placering i statligt ägda fastigheter av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2700 — Ett modernt och adekvat nämndemannasystem av Niklas Karlsson (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2778 — En funktionsrättspolitik för trygghet och delaktighet av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
Source: The Swedish Parliament