Request for a ruling on an administrative matter – Delayed processing & Excel | Word/PDF

Request for a decision on an administrative matter – template pursuant to Section 12 of the Administrative Procedure Act. Document package for individual parties whose case with a Swedish authority has been significantly delayed. Includes a written request, a basis for assessing legal requirements, a follow-up letter, a template for appealing a special refusal, and an Excel register. Word (DOCX), searchable PDF and Excel (XLSX).

Important purchase restriction: Section 12 applies only when its conditions are met. Among others, the case must have been initiated by an individual party and not decided at first instance within six months. Exceptions and special provisions may apply. The product is not a guarantee that the original application will be granted.

When is the document package suitable?

For a party that has itself initiated an administrative matter that still has not been decided at first instance after six months, when Section 12 of the Administrative Procedure Act actually applies and the option has not already been used. For municipal and regional matters that can be subject to legality review under the Local Government Act, special exceptions apply under Section 2. Sections 3–4 may also mean that the general rule cannot be used.

What is included? File by file

The Excel tool – nine tabs

The workbook has Overview, Cases (including party and representative), Applications, Requests, Communication, Decisions, Appeals, Checks and Read Me. Eight formula-driven overview figures count registered data. Excel does not automatically calculate the six-month condition, the four-week period or an appeal deadline and cannot determine whether Section 12 is applicable.

How it works

1. Check that you are the correct party and that Section 12 of the Administrative Procedure Act is applicable.
2. Confirm when the underlying case was initiated and that it has not yet been decided at first instance.
3. Check that a request under Section 12 has not already been used in the case.
4. Fill in the DOCX template and send it in writing to the correct authority. Keep exact copies and proof of the receipt date.
5. Record the authority's actual actions in Excel and the document log.
6. If the authority specially refuses the request: check the decision, the higher instance and the appeal deadline before considering an appeal.

Legal rules – six months, four weeks and appeal

According to Section 12 of the Administrative Procedure Act (2017:900), when the provision applies, the party may request that a case be decided if it has not been decided within six months at the latest. The authority shall, within four weeks from the receipt date of the request, either decide the case or refuse the request in a special decision. The option may be used once during the processing of the same case. A special refusal can be appealed to the competent higher instance. The appeal is normally submitted to the decision-making authority; check special rules and the decision's instructions. An accepted appeal may lead to an order to decide the underlying case pursuant to Section 49, but not automatically to acceptance on the merits.

Frequently asked questions

Must the authority approve my original application?

No. The authority may decide the underlying case without granting the application. Alternatively, under certain circumstances, the authority may specially refuse the request under Section 12.

Can I use the template immediately when the authority is delayed?

Not always. The conditions under Section 12 – including party status, at least six months at first instance, no previous request and the absence of applicable exceptions – must be met.

Can I make the request multiple times?

No. The option under Section 12 may be used once during the processing of the case. A separate follow-up letter in the package is only a status inquiry, not a new request.

Can I appeal if the authority refuses my request?

Yes, a special refusal under Section 12 may be appealed to the higher instance that is competent for the underlying case. Check the actual decision, applicable law and appeal deadline.

Are the PDF files interactive forms?

No. The PDF versions are searchable and print-friendly. The editable files are in Word format.

Are the documents in English?

The main documents are in Swedish. The English User Guide explains the use of the Swedish templates and does not imply adaptation to foreign law.

Related help

For representatives representing a party, a power of attorney for legal representative may be relevant. In cases of suspected conflict of interest, there is a report of conflict and a review of conflict for administrative matters – a separate legal issue.

Legal source and version

Current Swedish law according to Sections 1–4, 11–12 and 43–49 of the Administrative Procedure Act (2017:900). Document version 1.0. AI-assisted legal source check on November 1, 2026. No external professional legal review or authority approval is included in this production run.