Kalle: Isn't a Lay Judge or Permanent Jury man a better way to describe a Nämndeman?
The nämndeman was a trusted member of the Parish who assisted the Judge during the Häradsrätt (the lowest court level in Sweden) court sessions. Before 1680, If there was no real Judge (from the upper classes) the oldest Nämndeman would be the head Judge. That was not practiced during the 18th Century and I am not sure the Nämndeman had the same power during court then but still he was a very respected man.