Personal profile
Research
My research is mainly in comparative legal history, especially constitutional legal history. I work, among other things, with questions about the independence of the courts, the rule of law, and judges' decision-making related to rights and liberties. I also research procedural law issues, mainly related to bringing legal actions in general courts.
The most important part of my research right now concerns the history of the oath of judges during the Middle Ages. During the 13th century, oaths were developed that judges would take, and they promised not to judge unjustly due to ties to the parties, or fear, or the pursuit of reputation. Through this development, the demand for independence and impartiality of judges was strengthened. These oaths spread across Europe during the Middle Ages.
I also work with the history of criminal law and the history of insurance law. In addition, I work with legal symbolism, heraldry and iconography.
Teaching
I teach first and second cycle courses in legal history, civil procedural law and criminal law. I supervise master theses.
As regards doctoral education, I chair the faculty's board for doctoral education during the period 2024-2026.
Outreach
I give lectures to societies and associations on various legal historical themes. I also participate in the media.
Professional work
I am qualified as an associate judge of appeal at the Skåne and Blekinge Court of Appeal, and I have been a district judge in Malmö City Court for five years.
At the chancery of the Royal Swedish Orders of Knighthood, I am the historiographer of the Royal orders.
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Law
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations the last five years
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Påföljdsbestämning: En lärobok om straff och andra reaktioner på brott
Bennet, T., Sunnqvist, M., Wegerstad, L. & Wong, C., 2026 Feb, Lund: Studentlitteratur AB. 252 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research
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Adelsmannens rätt till vapen och öppen hjälm
Sunnqvist, M., 2026, In: Arte et marte: meddelanden från Riddarhuset; under medverkan av Svenska adelsförbundet. 2026 jubileumsnummer, 1, p. 76-77 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Att ge åt var och en sitt – suum cuique tribuere; Adliga privilegier genom tiderna
Sunnqvist, M., 2026, In: Arte et marte: meddelanden från Riddarhuset; under medverkan av Svenska adelsförbundet. 2026 jubileumsnummer, 1, p. 12-14 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Den agnatiska principen – så ärvs adelskapet
Sunnqvist, M., 2026, In: Arte et marte: meddelanden från Riddarhuset; under medverkan av Svenska adelsförbundet. 2026 jubileumsnummer, 1, p. 70-71 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Rättshistorisk teori och metod - en introduktion
Sunnqvist, M., 2026, Små saker och stora frågor. Vänbok till Marianne Dahlén. Valguarnera, F., Debaenst, B. & Modéer, K. Å. (eds.). Uppsala: Iustus förlag, p. 319-339 21 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research
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En rättshistorisk skatt värd att bevara
Sunnqvist, M. (Researcher) & Carlsson, C. (Project coordinator)
2025/09/01 → 2026/08/31
Project: Research
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Research network Oaths and Courts – from Forum to the Future
Sunnqvist, M. (Researcher), Trolle Önnerfors, E. (Researcher), Brännstedt, L. (Researcher), Göransson, E. (Researcher), Gyöngyi, P. (Researcher), Høgel, C. (Researcher), Peukert Stock, O. (Researcher), Sjöberg, C. (Researcher), Westergren, A. (Researcher), Nauman, S. (Researcher) & Vogt, H. (Researcher)
2023/12/05 → …
Project: Network
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Impartiality and Independence. A Comparative History of Judges’ Oaths of Office in Europe
Sunnqvist, M. (PI)
2023/01/01 → …
Project: Research
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Rättens historia i Sverige
Sunnqvist, M. (Researcher), Trolle Önnerfors, E. (Researcher), Nilsén, P. (Researcher), Björverud, J. (Researcher) & Tarandi, M. (Researcher)
2021/08/01 → …
Project: Other
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Ius Illuminatum
Sunnqvist, M. (Researcher) & Bilotta, M. L. B. (Project coordinator)
2021/01/01 → …
Project: Research
Activities
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Justice as Symbol and Allegory
Sunnqvist, M. (Speaker)
2026 May 23Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Sveriges Riddarhus 400 år och adelns rättsliga ställning i de nordiska länderna
Sunnqvist, M. (Speaker)
2026 May 21Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
File -
Öppet fall går till universitetshistorien
Tersmeden, F. (Contributor), Dahlman, C. (Presenter) & Sunnqvist, M. (Contributor)
2026 May 9 → …Activity: Other › Media participation
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Seminarieserien i processrätt med Henrik Bellander: Rättskraften och den materiella rätten
Bergius, M. (Organiser), Maunsbach, L. (Participant), Westberg, P. (Participant), Hardenberger, A. (Participant), Nordström, J. (Participant), Dahlman, C. (Participant), Larsson, T. (Participant), Blomberg, J. (Participant), Sunnqvist, M. (Participant), Maunsbach, U. (Participant), Svantesson, D. (Participant), Aminoff, M. (Participant) & Lavin, R. (Participant)
2026 Apr 29Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organisation of workshop/ seminar/ course
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Oaths and Good Governance in European Constitutional History
Sunnqvist, M. (Organiser)
2026 Apr 20 → 2026 Apr 21Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organisation of workshop/ seminar/ course
File
Prizes and Distinction
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Kungl. Patriotiska Sällskapets guldmedalj av första storleken för betydande gärning
Sunnqvist, M. (Recipient), 2026 Mar 18
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Einar Hansens forskningsfonds stora pris
Sunnqvist, M. (Recipient), 2025 Nov 13
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Distincţia "Sever Zotta"
Sunnqvist, M. (Recipient), 2025 Aug 29
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Member of the Royal Society of Letters at Lund
Sunnqvist, M. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Election to learned society
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H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustafs Jubileumsminnestecken IV (CXVIG:sJmtIV)
Sunnqvist, M. (Recipient), 2023 Sept 15
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)