Family law

In a proposal referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Government proposes that a new child marriage offence be introduced that can result in imprisonment for up to four years. The Government also proposes new grounds for tougher penalties for ‘honour’ crimes and a new instrument, a travel ban, to further strengthen protection against honour-related crime.

The Government has decided to task an inquiry chair with reviewing how to prevent recognition of foreign polygamous marriages in Sweden.

The Swedish Government is hosting the high-level conference Agenda 2030 for Children, End Violence Solutions Summit in Stockholm on 14–15 February 2018. The participants include Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, HM Queen Silvia and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed. The co-organisers of the conference are the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children and WePROTECT Global Alliance.

The Government has given Justice of the Supreme Court Mari Heidenborg the task of reviewing how protection against child marriage, forced marriage and ‘honour’ crimes can be strengthened.

This brochure gives a brief description of the provisions relating to marriage and divorce and the economic legal effects of marriage. Provisions applicable to unmarried cohabiting couples and to registered partnership are also discussed.