If you are charged with a minor offence, such as a traffic violation, you are generally not considered in need of a defence lawyer. If you still wish to have a lawyer by your side, you will be responsible for covering the cost yourself. For more serious crimes that may lead to imprisonment, however, you will be assigned a public defence counsel at the state's expense. A public defence counsel is a lawyer whose sole duty is to defend you and protect your interests. You also have the right to choose your own lawyer, and the state will still cover the cost. If you are acquitted, you pay nothing. However, if you are convicted, you may be required to pay all or part of the legal fees. Your financial situation will be taken into account when determining this.
If you have been the victim of a crime and are the injured party (målsägande), you will be assigned a victim’s counsel (målsägandebiträde), also paid for by the state. The victim’s counsel represents you and can assist with any claims for damages. Here too, you have the right to choose which lawyer you want to appoint, and the cost will still be covered.

In civil disputes involving family law, each party is generally responsible for their own legal costs. In other types of disputes, however, it is usually the losing party who must cover the opposing side’s legal expenses. As a first step, you should utilize the legal expenses coverage (rättsskydd) included in your home insurance policy. This coverage typically pays around 80% of the legal costs in a dispute, up to a maximum of approximately three price base amounts (prisbasbelopp). Deductibles, coverage limits, and terms vary between insurance providers, so you will need to check with your insurer to find out what applies to your specific policy.

If you do not have home insurance or if your legal expenses coverage does not apply to your case, you may, in some situations, be eligible for legal aid. Legal aid means that the state covers your own legal costs in a civil dispute. However, legal aid does not cover the opposing party’s costs.
Legal aid is applied for through the Legal Aid Authority (Rättshjälpsmyndigheten) and requires that you first have a consultation with a lawyer who will assess whether you are in need of and entitled to such assistance.
If it is determined that you should have had home insurance but did not, you will generally not qualify for legal aid. In addition, several conditions must be met—primarily relating to your financial situation.

As your legal counsel, we assist you in obtaining legal expenses coverage and applying for legal aid. When you contact us, we help you explore your financing options and ensure that you receive the best possible legal support at the lowest possible cost.