Summary of the decision: In his review of two civil actions amenable to out-of-court settlement at Hälsingland District Court, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman found that proceedings had been both deficient and slow. During 2024, the district court had one full-time judge and three vacant judge positions. At the beginning of the year, the two junior judge positions were also withdrawn. The adjudication process has largely been conducted by visiting judges drawn from a pool of reinforcements at the Swedish National Courts Administration.

In light of the staffing situation and working conditions at the district court, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman acknowledges that under the circumstances it has been very difficult, indeed nigh-on impossible, for the judges to live up to procedural requirements in each individual case.

The district court has had three different chief judges during the period in question and the extremely strained staffing situation and working conditions have made it very difficult for them to act and take measures when a case has not been adjudicated within a reasonable period of time.

While the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman is critical of how the two civil actions have been processed, given the facts that have emerged concerning the situation at the court he finds no reason to direct criticism at any official who is under his supervision.

The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman notes that the situation at the district court is a matter of grave concern and sends a copy of the decision to, among others, the Government and the Swedish National Courts Administration for information purposes.