1 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Public relations-Public Trust and Confidence in the Courts

2 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Important factors The accessibility of the courts and the court staff for parties and people giving evidence The courts’ reception of parties and people giving evidence Processing times at the courts The transparency of the courts’ decision-making processes The formulation of judgements and decisions The way in which activities of the courts are portrayed by the media The knowledge of the general public about what goes on in the courts The conduct of judges

3 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Measures for improving the reception of parties and people giving evidence Guidelines for what parties and people giving evidence have reason to expect and the demands that can be placed on the staff of courts with regard to the person-to-person reception. All courts should offer the same accessibility with regard to telephone and office hours and contacts by . Information to parties and people giving evidence about what goes on in the court and what is expected of them available. The reception of people appearing at court is to improve and in the larger courts, there should be special service staff. All the staff at courts are to be trained with regard to reception issues.

4 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Measures to improve the formulation of judgements and decisions Regulations on the formal and graphic design of judgements and decisions. Recommendations for how judgements and decisions should be formulated with regard to readability and judicial argumentation. All court lawyers are to be trained in issues concerning the formulation of judgements and decisions.

5 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Vigorous measures to improve the courts’ contacts with the media Judges are primarily to manage contacts with the media concerning the cases and matters for which they are responsible. Heads of courts are to contribute to creating an atmosphere of openness at courts and a willingness to provide information to the media. Media judges are to be available at the courts where there is a need for such a judge. A media group of media judges acting as a body for the regular exchange of experience. The National Courts Administration is to have overall responsibility for training judges in media issues. A Press Service at the National Courts Administration is to act as a starting point for journalists and others who have questions about activities in the courts A Spokesperson for the Swedish courts who can represent the courts and provide information about the activities of the courts.

6 SVERIGES DOMSTOLAR Other measures to strengthen trust in the courts Better websites Parties access to information on their very own cases Electronic case management Routines to cover the information on blogs, communities Greater openness –Visits of school classes –Open house visits to the court