Proposals to Modernize and Strengthen Legal Aid Access in Sweden

Anders Hagsgård, an official and president of the Court of Appeal, has called for urgent reforms to Sweden’s legal aid system to improve access to justice. He highlights that the current income threshold for qualifying for legal aid, set at 260,000 kronor annually, has not been adjusted since 1999. This stagnation means the safety net for legal help has worn thin over time as incomes in nominal terms have risen, leaving many vulnerable individuals without necessary legal support.

Hagsgård plans to submit a report to the government proposing expanded opportunities for legal aid, including extending legal assistance rights in administrative courts. His proposals also recommend establishing state compensation for legitimate legal costs in administrative cases. Additionally, he advocates strengthening the right of victims to receive help in court proceedings, suggesting that victim support be introduced even at the appellate court level.

In a debate article, Hagsgård emphasized the importance of removing financial barriers to legal counsel, stating that no individual should lose their rights due to lack of funds. This reform effort aims to modernize the criteria for legal aid eligibility to reflect current economic realities and enhance fairness in the Swedish judicial system.