THE SWEDISH SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS DESCRIBED AS A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, WITH LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS MADE IN A PARLIAMENTARY FASHION. LEGISLATION IS GENERALLY CHARACTERIZED AS BASED ON A STRONG DOMESTIC TRADITION OF GERMANIC LAW WHICH HAS STEADILY EVOLVED WITH NO ABRUPT CHANGES. POWER TO ENACT LAWS IS VESTED IN THE RIKSDAG, ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE POWER TO ISSUE DECREES ABOUT LESS IMPORTANT MATTERS. THE LAWMAKING PROCESS IS DESCRIBED. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE APPLICATION OF LEGAL RULES IS ENTRUSTED TO THE COURTS AND A VARIETY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES. THE COURT SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED AS A THREE-TIER HIERARCHY OF COURTS: THE COURTS OF FIRST INSTANCE, INTERMEDIATE COURTS OF APPEAL, AND THE SUPREME COURT. THE ROLE OF EACH OF THESE TYPES OF COURTS IS DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH GENERAL COURT PROCEEDINGS, THE ROLE OF PROSECUTORS, LAWYERS, AND CRIMINAL SANCTIONS. THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VARIOUS MINISTRIES AND IS ORGANIZED IN A WELL-DEVELOPED NETWORK OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES. AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL, THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IS EXECUTED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIONS. THE ROLE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, WHOSE CHIEF DUTY IS TO SEE THAT THE COURTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OBSERVE AND APPLY THE NATION'S LAWS, ESPECIALLY AS REGARDS THE PROTECTION OF THE FREEDOM, SECURITY, AND PROPERTY OF CITIZENS, IS DESCRIBED IN SOME DETAIL. THE FUNCTION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ALSO DISCUSSED. (RCB)