Älvräddarnas Samorganisation Country/Territory Sweden Type of court National - higher court Date Oct 2, 2014 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name Mark- och miljööverdomstolen Seat of court Stockholm Reference number M 5983-14 Language Swedish Subject Legal questions, Environment gen. Keyword International agreement-implementation National implementation/transposal Access-to-justice Abstract The case concerned the legal standing and right to appeal a judgment of environmental non-governmental organisations.The County Administrative Board had, as the regulatory authority, decided not to act on a claim of the environmental organisation Älvräddarnas Samorganisation. The organisation meant that a dam in the area controlled by the regulatory authority was an environmental problem as it constituted a barrier in a fishway close to a protected Natura 2000 site.The Land and Environment Court of Appeal found that the decision not to intervene in the matter was of such a nature that it should have been governed by Article 9.3 of the Aarhus Convention. Thus, the decision should have been subject to a trial before a court.Consequently, the Land and Environment Court of Appeal concluded that Chapter 16 section 13 of the Environmental Code, which governs legal standing of organisations, must be interpreted in such a way that it conforms with both Article 9.3 of the Aarhus Convention and relevant legislation of the European Union.The case also included the question on a permit for the waterworks. The Land and Environment Court of Appeal therefore was of the opinion that the organisation was able to appeal this decision.Finally, the Land and Environment Court of Appeal reversed the judgment of the Environmental Court and remanded the case to the Environmental Court. Full text M 5983-14.pdf