Swedish courts face credibility concerns over lay judges

A review by the Swedish National Audit Office has raised concerns regarding the conduct and composition of lay judges (nämndemän) in Swedish courts. According to the audit, the behavior of these non-professional judges has negatively impacted the perceived credibility of the courts in approximately one-third of the surveyed judicial bodies.

The report highlights issues with the training provided to lay judges, which currently ranges from only one to eight hours. Many participants have expressed a need for more in-depth training and experience sharing. In response, the National Courts Administration is reviewing training protocols, and there are calls to establish a recommended minimum duration for such instruction.

Furthermore, the audit notes that the composition of lay judges does not adequately reflect the demographics of the population, particularly regarding age and ethnic background. This lack of representation is attributed to a decentralized nomination process where local party associations nominate candidates independently, and municipal or regional councils select them without a centralized, holistic assessment.