District court (Norway)

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In Norway, the district court (Norwegian : tingrett, literally "thing court") is the first court instance, and handles both criminal and civil cases. The chief judge of a district court is the chief district judge (Norwegian : sorenskriver).

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The ruling of the district court may be appealed to the next level of court, the court of appeal, and the court of appeal's ruling may in turn be appealed to the supreme court, but only in select cases of precedential relevance admitted by the supreme court. Thus the vast majority of court cases are decided on by the district court or the court of appeal.

The term tingrett for the district courts was introduced in 2002, replacing the previous terms city court (byrett) and district court (herredsrett). Historically the district courts outside the cities were known as sorenskriveri (office of a sorenskriver), and consisted of a single (chief) district judge and often one or two assistant judges. The district usually included multiple parishes/municipalities, and the district judge was typically the highest state official within his jurisdiction, with an almost all-encompassing area of jurisdiction and an important role in the regional state administration.

Criminal cases

Since August 1995, all criminal cases which go to court are tried at the district court first. Prior to this, the most serious cases were tried in the Court of appeal (lagmannsrett). Regular trials are usually held before a panel of three judges, one professional and two lay judges. In particularly difficult cases the bench may consist of five judges (two professional and three lay judges). Verdicts and sentences are determined by a majority vote, with the lay judges' votes counting the same as the professional judge. If there is a full confession, and the defendant agrees to it, the trial may be held before a single professional judge who hears the case and determines sentencing. [1]

Civil cases

The district court is the second tier in most civil cases, the first tier being the conciliation board (forliksråd). Certain cases cannot be held at the conciliation board, including family law, patent and trademark issues, cases against the authorities, and cases where an independent complaints committee has issued an opinion. In addition, larger cases where both sides are representad by attorneys, and other cases where extrajudicial mediation have taken place, may bypass the conciliation board and go straight to the district court. [2] The district court also hears appeals from the conciliation board.

Civil cases are normally held before a single professional judge, but either side can demand two lay judges be seated as well. In some cases the law demands that there be two lay judges with competence in the subject matter. [3]

In 2021, there are 23 district courts in Norway.

Related Research Articles

Judiciary of Norway Overview of Norwegian judiciary

The judiciary of Norway is hierarchical with the Supreme Court at the apex. The conciliation boards only hear certain types of civil cases. The district courts are deemed to be the first instance of the Courts of Justice. Jury (high) courts are the second instance, and the Supreme Court is the third instance.

Ofoten District Court

Ofoten District Court was a district court in Nordland county in Norway. The court was based in the town of Narvik. The court existed until 2021. The court served the northeastern part of the Nordland county and a small part of south-central Troms county. It included the municipalities of Evenes, Hamarøy, Lødingen, Narvik, and Tjeldsund in Nordland plus Gratangen, Lavangen, and Salangen in Troms. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Arne Eirik Kirkerud. The judicial staff consisted of one chief judge, two appointed professional judges, and one deputy judge. The chief judge was the president of the district court. He led the administration of the staff and appointed deputy judges for a period of up to three years. The judges divided their time approximately equally between criminal cases and civil cases.

Oslo District Court

Oslo District Court is a district court located in Oslo, Norway. This court is based at the Oslo Courthouse in the city of Oslo. The court serves the entire city of Oslo and the court is subordinate to the Borgarting Court of Appeal. As the largest district court in Norway, it handles about 20% of all cases in the country. The court handled 3,000 criminal and 2,200 civil cases, as well as 7,200 summary proceedings in 2007.

Sør-Trøndelag District Court

Sør-Trøndelag District Court was a district court in Trøndelag county, Norway. The court was based in the city of Trondheim at the Trondheim courthouse. The court existed from 2003 until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the municipalities of Trondheim, Malvik, Klæbu, Selbu, Tydal, Røros, Holtålen, Midtre Gauldal, Oppdal, Rennebu, Melhus, Meldal, Skaun, Orkdal, Agdenes, Snillfjord, and Hemne. Cases from this court could be appealed to Frostating Court of Appeal. The chief judge was Leif Otto Østerbø.

Alta District Court

Alta District Court was the district court based in the town of Alta in Finnmark county, Norway. The court served the municipalities of Alta and Loppa. The court was subordinate to the Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Bjørnar K. Leistad. This court employed a chief judge, another judge and four prosecutors.

Stavanger District Court Former district court in Norway

Stavanger District Court was a district court in Rogaland county, Norway. The court was based in the city of Stavanger. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the central part of the county which included the municipalities of Hjelmeland, Kvitsøy, Randaberg, Sola, Stavanger, and Strand. Cases from this court could be appealed to Gulating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Tor Christian Carlsen. This court employed a chief judge, 18 other judges, and 24 prosecutors.

Jæren District Court

Jæren District Court was a district court in Rogaland county, Norway. The court was based at the Sandnes Courthouse located on Olav V's plass in the town of Sandnes. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the west central part of the county which included the municipalities of Gjesdal, Hå, Klepp, Sandnes, and Time. Cases from this court could be appealed to Gulating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Anne Marie Aarrestad. This court employed a chief judge, ten other judges, and five prosecutors as well as other administrative assistants. Jæren District Court had seven courtrooms.

Salten District Court

Salten District Court was a district court in Nordland county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Bodø. The court existed until 2021. It served the Salten area which included the municipalities of Beiarn, Bodø, Fauske, Gildeskål, Meløy, Saltdal, Steigen, Sørfold, Værøy, and Røst. It also held jurisdiction over the outlying territory of Jan Mayen. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Ingrid Johanne Lillevik. This court employed a chief judge, four other judges, and four prosecutors.

Haugaland District Court

Haugaland District Court was a district court in Rogaland and Vestland counties in Norway. The court was based in the town of Haugesund. The court existed from 2008 until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the northern part of Rogaland county and the municipality of Etne in the far southern part of Vestland county. Cases from this court could be appealed to Gulating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Tine Margrethe Odland. This court employed a chief judge, six other judges, and nine prosecutors.

Sunnmøre District Court was a district court in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Ålesund. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over approximately the southern third of the county, except the far southern part, and it includes the municipalities of Ålesund, Giske, Haram, Hareid, Norddal, Skodje, Stordal, Stranda, Sula, Sykkylven, Ulstein and Ørskog. Cases from this court could be appealed to Frostating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Kirsti Høegh Bjørneset. This court employed a chief judge, seven other judges, and several prosecutors.

Romsdal District Court District court in Romsdal, Norway

Romsdal District Court was a district court in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Molde. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the central part of the county which included the municipalities of Aukra, Fræna, Midsund, Molde, Nesset, Rauma, Sandøy, and Vestnes. Cases from this court could be appealed to Frostating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Svein Eikrem. This court employed a chief judge and three other judges.

Hammerfest District Court

Hammerfest District Court was a district court based in the town of Hammerfest in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The court served the northern part of the county which included the municipalities of Hammerfest, Hasvik, Måsøy, and Nordkapp. The court was subordinate to the Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Anders Flock Bachmann. This court employed a chief judge, two other judges and three prosecutors.

Søre Sunnmøre District Court was a district court in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The court was based in the village of Volda. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over southern part of the county which included the municipalities of Herøy, Sande, Vanylven, Volda, and Ørsta. Cases from this court could be appealed to Frostating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Elisabeth Wiik. This court employed a chief judge, two other judges, and three prosecutors.

Dalane District Court was a district court in Agder and Rogaland counties in Norway. The court was based in the town of Egersund. The court existed until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the southern part of Rogaland county which included the municipalities of Eigersund, Bjerkreim, Lund, and Sokndal plus it also includes the neighboring municipality of Sirdal in Agder county. Cases from this court could be appealed to Gulating Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Alexander Schønemann. This court employed a chief judge, one other judge, and three prosecutors.

Alstahaug District Court

Alstahaug District Court was a district court in Nordland county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Sandnessjøen. The court existed from 1859 until 2021. It served the municipalities of Alstahaug, Dønna, Grane, Hattfjelldal, Herøy, Leirfjord, and Vefsn. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Rolf Selfors, who also lead the neighboring Rana District Court and Brønnøy District Court at the time of the court's dissolution. This court employed a chief judge and three other judges.

Brønnøy District Court

Brønnøy District Court was a district court in Nordland county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Brønnøysund. The court existed from 1919 until 2021. It served the municipalities of Bindal, Brønnøy, Sømna, Vega, and Vevelstad. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Rolf Selfors, who also lead the neighboring Alstahaug District Court and Rana District Court at the time of the court's dissolution. This court employed a chief judge, one other judge, and four prosecutors.

Lofoten District Court

Lofoten District Court was a district court in Nordland county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Svolvær. The court existed until 2021. It served the municipalities of Flakstad, Moskenes, Vestvågøy, and Vågan which are all located in the Lofoten archipelago. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Ingrid Johanne Lillevik. This court employed a chief judge, one other judge, and two prosecutors.

Rana District Court

Rana District Court was a district court in Nordland county, Norway. The court was based in the town of Mo i Rana. The court existed from 1859 until 2021. It served the central part of the county which included the municipalities of Rana, Hemnes, Nesna, Lurøy, Træna, and Rødøy. Cases from this court could be appealed to Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge Rolf Selfors, who also lead the neighboring Alstahaug District Court and Brønnøy District Court at the time of the court's dissolution. This court employed a chief judge, two other judges, and two prosecutors.

Fosen District Court

Fosen District Court was a district court in Trøndelag county, Norway. The court was based at the Fosen Tinghus in the town of Brekstad in the municipality of Ørland. The court existed from 1591 until 2021. It had jurisdiction over the municipalities of Ørland, Bjugn, Frøya, Hitra, Indre Fosen, Osen, Roan, and Åfjord. Cases from this court could be appealed to Frostating Court of Appeal. The court was last led by the acting chief judge Leif Otto Østerbø. This court employed a chief judge, two other judges, and several prosecutors and administrators.

Ringerike, Asker og Bærum District Court

Ringerike, Asker og Bærum District Court is a district court located in Viken county, Norway. This court is based at two different courthouses which are located in Hønefoss and Sandvika. The court serves central part of the county, just west of Oslo. This court has jurisdiction across six municipalities. The court in Hønefoss accepts cases from the municipalities of Hole, Jevnaker, Lunner, and Ringerike. The court in Sandvika accepts cases from the municipalities of Asker and Bærum. The court is subordinate to the Borgarting Court of Appeal.

References

  1. ↑ "Informasjon angående straffesaker" (in Norwegian). Moss District Court. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  2. ↑ "Hva er forliksrådet?". Government.no (in Norwegian). Ministry of Justice and the Police. 16 January 2001. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  3. ↑ "Sivil sak" (in Norwegian). Norwegian National Courts Administration. 8 May 2006. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
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