Almost 100,000 people are called to testify in the Swedish courts each year. The general obligation to give evidence exists to help the courts reach the correct verdict.

You have an obligation to give evidence

In Sweden we have a general obligation to give evidence. This means that anyone with significant knowledge relating to an investigation is obliged to testify in court if the prosecutor or the defendant or the defence counsel deem it necessary. So, as a private individual you are not at liberty to decide whether or not you wish to give evidence. Exceptions are only granted to those who, for example, are closely related to the suspect.

Witness support and protection

If you are worried about testifying, help and support are available. Many courts are able to provide witness support in the form of someone to support you in court. There are also separate waiting rooms for witnesses.

You can apply for witness support by contacting the district court before the hearing. Ask the court if and what kind of witness support is available in that particular district court.

As a witness, you are under oath

When you are called as a witness in a trial you will be asked to take the following oath before you testify:

“I N.N. promise and affirm on my honour and conscience that I shall speak the whole truth and will not conceal, add, or change anything.”