Alternative dispute resolution – resolving disputes without a court

Alternativ tvistlösning – avgör tvisten utan domstol - Engelska

Resolving a dispute by means of alternative dispute resolution means that the dispute is dealt with without the involvement of a court of law. The decision from an alternative dispute resolution is not binding but it is generally respected and compiled with by most companies. In many instances there is no cost to the parties for the procedure.

Translated page: This text has been translated from Swedish. The text and appearance of the page may look different from the original page.

What is meant by “alternative dispute resolution”?

  • Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, means that you can turn to a dispute resolution panel to resolve a dispute with a company you purchased something from.

  • This is usually quicker and less expensive than litigation in a court.

  • An alternative dispute resolution panel cannot compel a company to comply with the decision it makes, but in Sweden most companies choose to comply and abide by the decision. If the company is a member of a trade association, they may also have committed themselves to complying with alternative dispute resolution panel decisions as part of their membership obligations.

Learn more about resolving disputes without going to court

  • In Sweden the National Board for Consumer Disputes is the best-known dispute resolution body. However there are also six other boards authorised to hear disputes.

    The National Board for Consumer Disputes

    The National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) hears many different types of consumer disputes, such as disputes over vehicle purchases, handyman and tradesman services, electronics, banking, insurance or passenger rights.

    The National Board for Consumer Disputes has a minimum value threshold of SEK 500-2,000, depending upon the type of matter at issue.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    No; a fee of SEK 150 is charged.

    Further information about the types of disputes ARN can examine is available on ARN’s website

    The Real Estate Market Dispute Resolution Board

    The Real Estate Market Dispute Resolution Board hears disputes between consumers and estate agents. The dispute may concern a claim for compensation for damages or a reduction of an estate agent’s brokerage commission.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    Yes

    Further information is available on the website of the Real Estate Market Dispute Resolution Board (in Swedish)

    The Board for Legal Protection Insurance Issues

    Legal assistance insurance is insurance cover that makes it possible for the insured to be reimbursed for certain legal fees and court costs in the event of a dispute. If you are not satisfied with the insurance company’s decision regarding a claim for reimbursement, you can file an appeal with the Board for Legal Protection Insurance Issues.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    Yes

    Further information is available on the website of the Board for Legal Protection Insurance Issues (in Swedish)

    The Board for Insurance of Persons

    The Board for Insurance of Persons hears cases concerning life, health or accident insurance. A medical assessment is required for the case to be heard.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    Yes

    Further information is available on the website of the Board for Insurance of Persons (in Swedish)

    The Swedish Bar Association’s Consumer Disputes Board

    The Bar Association’s Consumer Disputes Board, hears disputes between consumers and members of the Swedish Bar Association and affiliated law firms, if the dispute concerns the legal service the consumer has purchased. (Disputes with lawyers who are not members of the Swedish Bar Association are heard by the National Board for Consumer Disputes.)

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    No; a fee of SEK 100 is charged.

    Further information is available on the Swedish Bar Association’s website

    The Swedish Funeral Directors’ Association Complaints Board

    The Swedish Funeral Directors’ Association Complaints Board hears disputes between consumers and the funeral homes that are members of the SBF. The dispute must concern a financial payment.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    Yes

    Further information is available on The Swedish Funeral Directors’ Association Complaints Board's website (in Swedish)

    The Road Traffic Injuries Commission

    The Road Traffic Injuries Commission examines the right to compensation and the amount of compensation for victims of traffic injuries or a relative of the injured person. This is irrespective of which insurance company is processing the claims adjustment or paying the claim for compensation for the injury. The purpose of the Traffic Claims Board’s activities is to ensure that the injured party receives, based on applicable legislation and practice, equitable compensation.

    Are the services provided free of charge?

    Yes

    Further information is available on the website of the Road Traffic Injuries Commission

  • Transnational purchases are purchases where someone in Sweden buys something from a company in a country other than Sweden. In all EU countries, as in Sweden, there is an alternative dispute resolution system in place. In some cases, it may be more effective to turn to a dispute resolution body in the country where the company is located than to take the dispute to a Swedish dispute resolution board.

    The number of dispute resolution bodies in each country varies. For example, in some countries there are bodies that only deal with certain areas, such as financial services or construction services. The extent to which decisions are complied with or enforced also varies from country to country.

    List of dispute resolution bodies in other EU countries on the European Commission’s website

    ODR platform – dispute resolution for e-commerce

    The European Commission operates an online platform called ODR – Online Dispute Resolution. As it says, it is for the resolution of disputes using online digital communication resources. Via the platform, consumers and companies can either attempt to resolve a dispute between themselves or agree on an alternative dispute resolution body to send the dispute to.

    Who can use the European Commission’s ODR?

    Those who have made a purchase online from a company established in another EU country, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and seek to:

    • find a solution to a problem by discussing the matter with the company
    • send their case to alternative dispute resolution.

    E-commerce companies in the above countries can also use the platform to communicate with you as a consumer.

    Further information about ODR

Alternativ tvistlösning – avgör tvisten utan domstol

Proofread: 10 January 2023

The content is presented in collaboration with ECC Sweden, which is part of the ECC network and the Swedish Consumer Agency's information service. ECC Sweden is part-financed by the European Union.

The content of this website represents the views of the author only and it is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the European Innovation Council and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Executive Agency (EISMEA) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

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