75 In Sweden — Finland the founding of Svea hovrätt (1614) was within two decades to be followed by three other courts of appeal {hovrätter), the first in Åbo/Turku in Finland (1623). Nevertheless, the King retained his supreme legal power and appeals could be made to him to alter or quash a judgment of the courts of appeal. These cases were dealt with by a special department of the Royal Council, called Justitierevisionen. In 1789 the King succeded in abolishing the Council and a new supreme court. Högsta domstolen, was founded in order to execute the functions formerly filled by Justitierevisionen [see Metcalf’s paper]. The Supreme Court, however, was not given a totally independent position and during the following two decades of absolute royal power its judges remained constantly dependent on the King. With the establishment of absolute royal power in Denmark - Norway in 1660, the judicial function of the Herredag councils was handed over to a new supreme court, Hoyesteret, in Copenhagen which also served as the joint supreme court of Denmark - Norway, together with the Ovcrhoffrett in Norway. The absolute power of the King included the right to judge personally in legal proceedings. The author considers it doubtful whether this right was ever essentially changed during the 18'^ century.
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