The publication series Scandinavian Studies in Law was first issued in 1956 and has over the years been associated with numerous prominent legal scholars. Photo: Natalie Oliwsson

The Faculty of Law at Stockholm University has a long-standing tradition of exploring and disseminating knowledge about Nordic legal studies. A crucial part of this endeavor is the publication series, Scandinavian Studies in Law, which, for over six decades, has deepened our understanding of legal matters in the Scandinavian context. The roots of this publication series trace back to the time when the Faculty of Law was still located at what was then Stockholm University - Stockholms högskola - where Folke Schmidt served as a professor of civil law from 1951 to 1976.

Professor Folke Schmidt left an indelible mark as a pioneer in the field of legal studies. It was on his initiative that Arbetsrättsliga föreningen (the “Labor Law Society”) was formed in 1954. Two years later, he founded the Stockholm Institute for Scandinavian Law, where he made a truly significant contribution to Scandinavian law on the international stage through his work on the annual publication Scandinavian Studies in Law. He initiated the project and served as the editor for twenty-four volumes, from 1956 until his passing in 1980.

Upcoming Edition Commemorates the Swedish Instrument of Government – 50 Years

 

New member of the board: Professor Petra Herzfeld-Olsson

Currently, the publication series is administered by Senior Lecturer Lydia Lundstedt, a lecturer in international private and procedural law at Stockholm University, who has been appointed as the General Editor by the board of the Stockholm Institute for Scandinavian Law. However, each volume of Scandinavian Studies in Law is created through close collaboration, where themes and topics are discussed during board meetings between the board and the General Editor. Furthermore, proposals from researchers at Stockholm University are always welcome, ensuring that the series genuinely reflects the broad spectrum of Scandinavian law.

In the upcoming volume of Scandinavian Studies in Law - volume 70 - the occasion is taken to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Swedish Instrument of Government in 2024. Titled "Constitutional Law in the Scandinavian Countries – A tribute to the Instrument of Government 1974–2024," Karin Åhman, a professor of constitutional law at Stockholm University, serves as the Volume Editor. This publication will offer an exciting review of the constitutional legal systems in the Scandinavian countries over the past 50 years.

Focusing on International Distribution and Accessibility

In summary, Scandinavian Studies in Law is a crucial resource providing both contemporary and historical insights into Scandinavian legal studies. Alongside the forthcoming volume on constitutional law, plans are in motion for another volume with the theme of financial law, expected to be published in the spring of 2025. This publication, for which Associate Professor Elisabeth Ahlinder and lecturer Kelly Chen have been appointed as Volume Editors, will provide us with even more exciting insights into the legal landscape of the Nordic regions.

To reach a global audience, Jure AB is the distributor for Scandinavian Studies in Law, both in Sweden and internationally. Several foreign university libraries, legal firms, and bookstores subscribe to the series. After a brief embargo period, the volumes also become freely accessible in full text in the institute's database, where over 900 articles have been published to date. The articles are also available on HeinOnline and LAWPUB.

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Text: Natalie Oliwsson