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THE SWEDISH BAR ASSOCIATION’S
CONSUMER DISPUTES BOARD

On January 11, 2016, the Consumer Disputes Board was established within the Swedish Bar Association. The Consumer Disputes Board adjudicates disputes between consumers and lawyers or law firms concerning services that the lawyer or law firm has provided to the consumer. In this context, a consumer refers to a natural person acting for purposes outside of business or professional activities. If a client is dissatisfied with the service provided by a lawyer, the client should contact the lawyer to discuss the matter and attempt to reach an amicable resolution.

If a case has been initiated with the lawyer’s insurer, the matter must be resolved within the framework of the insurance agreement before the consumer may contact the Consumer Disputes Board. Such an insurance matter is thus considered part of the amicable resolution that must be concluded before a case may be initiated with the Consumer Disputes Board. If a case is nonetheless submitted to the Board, it will be put on hold until the insurance matter is resolved.

If it is not possible to reach an amicable resolution, the client may have the matter reviewed by the Consumer Disputes Board of the Swedish Bar Association. A lawyer is obliged to participate in the Board’s review if an amicable resolution cannot be achieved.

If the client has not contacted the lawyer to discuss the complaint and seek an amicable solution, and instead turns directly to the Consumer Disputes Board, the Board may dismiss the case.
A prerequisite for the Board to review a dispute is that the matter is not already being handled by or has been decided by a court of law.

To request a review, the consumer must contact the Consumer Disputes Board within one year of submitting a written complaint to the lawyer.

Consumer Disputes Board of the Swedish Bar Association
Box 27321
SE-102 54 Stockholm
www.advokatsamfundet.se/Konsumenttvistnamnden