Books

Legal science

Legal science involves the study of legal rules, their interpretation, and their interaction with society. The subject has strong connections to several other disciplines, such as economics, social work, criminology, and police work. In 2022, Linnaeus University launched an investment to create Sweden's most modern and exciting legal science environment. The resources for research are considerable, and there are significant plans for new programmes, including a law programme set to start in 2027.

Legal science is a broad field that encompasses various legal areas and different perspectives on how the law can be studied. Some parts of legal science focus on the law as a method of conflict resolution, where issues such as the validity of contracts or disputes over property rights can be resolved through the interpretation of legal rules.

Other parts of legal science focus on the consequences of legal rules for actors in society. For example, it examines how the balance between corporate economic rights and the rights of trade unions affects the unions' ability to promote their members' interests.

Major investment in legal science

There is an ambitious initiative underway in legal science and law at Linnaeus University. We are building new facilities, revitalising the old and familiar, and in collaboration with external partners, we aim to create a complete academic environment. If you're interested in this as a researcher, practicing lawyer, or student, please contact us!

Key milestones for the initiative

Important milestones in the coming years include:
  • Initiating the construction of a research environment based in Kalmar
  • Offering new, shorter courses in Kalmar starting in 2023
  • Applying for rights to offer doctoral programmes
  • Developing legal elements on existing programmes like the Social Work Study Programme, economy programmes, and the Police Education and Training Programme.
  • First admission to the bachelor's programme in Legal Science (180 credits, Kalmar) in 2024.
  • Applying for degree-awarding powers for a law degree by 2025 at the latest.
  • First admission to the Law Programme (270 credits, Kalmar) in 2027.

Linnaeus University's investment in legal science is supported by Kalmar municipality. With contributions from Kalmar and our own resources, Linnaeus University intends to establish a vibrant legal science environment, including a 270-credit law programme.

The field of law has undergone significant changes recently, influenced by international law, human rights, and international agreements. However, there is also increased awareness of local contexts and customs and their importance in legal problem-solving.

Linnaeus University is committed to contributing to a sustainable societal life and a robust democracy. In this endeavour, law has a crucial role in both public commitments and responsibilities and the conditions and values of private initiatives. It's essential that legal practice is proactive and that the legal profession has a broad range of competencies. In this, we see a focus on various legal methods and levels.

Research

Law exerts a significant influence over people's lives in various ways, yet often we are not even aware of the extent to which we are affected. From the individual's need for order and clarity in their life, to how the nation-state should be organised, and further to how the global society's need for supra-national rules should be expressed. Our legal system can be said to encompass rules that act as governing and conflict-resolving, but it also provides an equitable distribution of resources and social safety nets.

Legal science is about the study of our legal system and how we should apply the rules known as legal rules. The research in legal science already being conducted at Linnaeus University will soon be further developed, which takes place in close cooperation with the surrounding society. It is an important starting point in our work that all research we conduct is significant for and reaches the community. Current legal research requires an interdisciplinary approach, as well as collaboration both with practical legal expertise within the region and in the surrounding society at large.

Thus, research collaboration will be a prioritised area where the establishment of national and international networks within various thematic profiles and projects will be developed, as well as partnerships with authorities and companies. Collaboration is already in place with both national and international research networks, primarily within public law and labour law.

The doctoral education within the legal subject that is under development will be dynamic, societally and scientifically relevant, and provide doctoral students and visiting researchers who contribute to a high-quality scientific environment.

Publications

Staff

Staff who are linked to legal science