The Department of Law welcomes new doctoral students

Below is a short presentation of the respective doctoral students and their projects.

Vera Bolmgren, Private Law
Main supervisor: Sandra Friberg

Preliminary title of the thesis: Statutes of Limitation for Tort Claims

In Sweden, the main rule is that claims for damages become time-barred ten years after the harmful act. In other countries, the limitation period often begins when the damage occurs or when the injured party becomes aware of the damage. The purpose of the project is to evaluate and critically review the Swedish limitation rules. Two current issues are how damage caused by forever chemicals such as PFAS can be handled in terms of the statute of limitations (see, for example, NJA 2023 p. 916) and how the statute of limitations relates to the right to a fair trial established in article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (see Paic & Wernersson v. Sweden).

Viktor Brylla, Public International Law
Main supervisor: Rebecca Thorburn Stern

Preliminary title of the thesis: The Nature of Statelessness. A Legal Reappraisal

The project examines statelessness under international law with the aim of analyzing its fundamental elements, causes, and consequences, as well as the obligations of states to reduce it. Particular attention is devoted to whether statelessness can be conceptualized as a legal status—a notion traditionally rejected in international legal doctrine. Situated at the intersection of international law, human rights law, and legal theory, the project seeks to advance a more coherent account of statelessness as a legal phenomenon.

Spännar Mats Eriksson, Private Law
Main supervisor: Rebecca Söderström

Preliminary title of the thesis: The relationship between banks and their customers – A study of the right to a bank account, particularly in light of the anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regulation

Credit institutions have an obligation to provide bank accounts to anyone who wants one, under certain conditions. However, this duty is limited by, among other things, the anti-money laundering regulation, which requires credit institutions to terminate or refrain from entering into business relationships under certain circumstances. The overall purpose of the project is to investigate and analyse the extent of credit institutions’ obligation to provide bank accounts. Topics relating to how the rights of individuals should be balanced against the obligations of credit institutions under the anti-money laundering regulation are also analysed.

Dag Jensen, Private Law
Main supervisor: Marianne Rödvei Aagaard

Preliminary title of the thesis: The Real Estate Agent’s Liability when Brokering Newly Built Homes

In the majority of real estate transactions, a real estate agent is involved to facilitate the transaction. In Sweden, the real estate agent acts as an impartial advisor to both parties. When mediating the sale of existing properties, applicable regulations, especially the Estate Agents Act, define the scope of the agent’s liability. However, when it comes to the sale of planned or newly constructed homes, specific regulation of the agent’s liabilites and responsibilities is limited. This regulatory gap gives rise to uncertainty for the parties to the transaction regarding to what extent the agent may be held liable for damages. These issues will be examined in Dag's project.