SCC counsel contribute to YAS Publication on Swedish Arbitration
SCC's Head of Quality Evelina T. Wahlström and Specialist Counsel Jake Lowther have contributed to Young Arbitrators Sweden's (YAS) latest publication "Swedish Law and Arbitration: Reasons for choosing Swedish law and dispute resolution in international commercial contracts".
Published
Key themes of the publication
The guide covers three main areas: why choose Swedish substantive law, why arbitrate in Sweden, and why choose the SCC as the administering institution.
Swedish contract law is founded on the principle of freedom of contract, and contracts are enforced according to their terms. The principle of pacta sunt servanda is fundamental to Swedish contract law, providing parties with certainty and predictability in their commercial relationships.
Stockholm is recognised as a trusted jurisdiction in which it is safe to seat high-stake arbitrations. The principle of party autonomy is firmly anchored in Sweden, and the Swedish Arbitration Act provides a user-friendly and supportive framework for arbitration of the highest international standard.
The publication also highlights the SCC’s standing in the international arbitration community. Around two hundred disputes are filed with the SCC each year, of which approximately 50 % are international arbitrations. Second only to ICSID, the SCC is the most frequently used arbitration institute for investment arbitration in the world.
A practical guide for international practitioners
The publication is designed to be an accessible and practical resource for international legal practitioners, in-house counsel, and business professionals who are considering Sweden as their choice of law or seat of arbitration. Rather than providing an exhaustive academic analysis, the guide offers a concise overview of what parties can expect when choosing Swedish substantive law and arbitration in Sweden.
The authors have structured the content to address the most common questions and considerations that arise when negotiating international commercial contracts. This practical approach makes the publication particularly valuable for those who may be unfamiliar with the Swedish legal system but are exploring it as a neutral and reliable option for their cross-border transactions and dispute resolution needs.
By providing clear explanations of basic Swedish legal principles and arbitration procedures, the guide enables practitioners to make better-informed decisions when advising clients on the choice of Swedish law or Swedish-seated arbitration.
Sweden’s position as a leading arbitration forum
The publication explores the key features that make Sweden an attractive choice for international commercial contracts and dispute resolution. Sweden is praised and recognised globally for being a transparent and open society and one of the least corrupt countries in the world, making it one of the leading venues for international commercial arbitration, as well as a preferred seat for many investment arbitrations.
Sweden is characterised as a mixture of common and civil law, which contributes to making parties, counsel and arbitrators from both legal traditions feel equally at home when arbitrating in Sweden. The publication highlights that Swedish substantive law is easily accessible, and its application seldom offers any surprises to the international business community, making non-Swedish lawyers and arbitrators feel familiar with the legislation. Indeed, a leading scholar has described the content of Swedish contract law for business-to-business relations as corresponding to 98 per cent with the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts (UPICC).
This unique blend of legal traditions, combined with Sweden’s reputation for neutrality, efficiency and respect for the rule of law, continues to attract parties from around the world seeking a reliable and sophisticated forum for resolving their disputes.
About Young Arbitrators Sweden
YAS is an organisation with more than four hundred members from Sweden and internationally. YAS aims to increase knowledge and interest amongst young practitioners in the field of arbitration by arranging seminars, conferences, and other activities and by coordinating arbitration events with other international arbitration networks.
The publication, revised and updated during 2026, was authored by Sara Johnsson, Edward Jansson Stiernblad, Mathilde Hofbauer, Rasmus Josefsson, Jake Lowther, Carl Persson, Maria Sundqvist, Emil Andersson, and Evelina T. Wahlström. This represents the second and revised version of a previous document from 2016, demonstrating the continued commitment to keeping the arbitration community informed about developments in Swedish arbitration practice.