The Norwegian system is most similar to the legal systems of the other Nordic countries, particularly those of Denmark and Sweden. Norway does not have a general codification of private or public law corresponding to the Code Civil in civil law countries. It instead has comprehensive statutes codifying, among other things, central aspects of the criminal law and the administration of justice.
Norwegian courts do not attach the same weight to judicial precedents as members of the judiciary in common law countries traditionally have done. Neither are Norwegian courts bound by intricate rules concerning the admissibility of evidence; the basic rule is that all evidence is admissible. Court procedure is relatively informal and simple, and there is a strong lay influence in the judicial assessment of criminal matters and, to a lesser extent, civil matters.
This lay influence is created through the use of both a jury system and a system whereby lay judges (without formal legal qualifications) sit with professional judges in the hearing of cases.
Criminal Justice System 1. Groups most victimized by crime. Information on victims of crime has been gathered as part of general surveys on living conditions in Norway. This information is presented in summary form by the Central Bureau of Statistics in its publication, Kriminalitet og rettsvesen (2nd ed, 1992) at pages 15-20. All of the … Read more
Mediation in the Nordic Countries of Europe Background and History of Mediation in the Nordic Countries The Nordic—or Scandinavian countries1—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have close geographic, historical, social, economic, cultural, linguistic and legal ties. The economies are organised in a similar manner in what is sometimes called the ‘Nordic model’. In this model, … Read more
Slavic Law Slavic Legal History Russian Primary Chronicle: Ruskaia Pravda, An early Law code The Short Version: Article 1 If a man kills a man, the brother is to avenge his brother; the son, his father; or the father, his son; or nephews, their uncles; and if there is no avenger [the murderer pays] forty … Read more
Norwegian Judicial System 1. Administration. At the top of the judicial hierarchy is the Supreme Court (Hoyesterett), located in Oslo. Directly below the Supreme Court is the High Court (Lagmannsrett). There are 5 High Courts, each covering a separate but parallel territorial jurisdiction in Eidsivating, Agder, Gulating, Frostating and H�logaland. Below the High Court are … Read more
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Norwegian Judicial Process PROSECUTORIAL AND JUDICIAL PROCESS 1. Rights of the accused. *Rights of the accused. The rights of the accused are described in the Criminal Procedures Act. The accused must be informed of the nature of the charge(s) brought against him or her upon being arrested and attending court for the first time. The … Read more
Norwegian Prison System 1. Description. *Number of prisons and type. On July 2, 1993, there were 48 prisons, of which 5 were central prisons (landsfengsler) and 43 were regional prisons (kretsfengsler, hjelpefengsler and arbeidskolonier). One of the central prisons (Bredtvedt) was for females only. Most other prisons contained prisoners of both sexes. Larger prisons had … Read more
Norwegian Police 1. Administration. There are 5 police regions, among which are 54 police districts. The districts are led by police commissioners (Politimestre), who have as their immediate subordinates, deputy police commissioners (Politiinspektorer), assistant commissioners (Politiadjutanter) and superintendents (Politifullmektiger). Police commissioners and deputy police commissioners are appointed by the King in Council. The other two … Read more
Norway in Europe Outline of the Country´s Legal System According to the work "Guide to Foreign and International Citations", by the Journal of International Law and Politics (New York University School of Law): Executive power is vested in the Government. The King is the head […]
Norwegian Criminal Justice System This entry gives a general account of the overall criminal system and outline the political and legal structure and the history of the Norwegian criminal justice system to help account for the unique aspects that may help to bind the many parts of this criminal justice system together, and to show … Read more
Western Europe Western Europe Legal Systems Andorra Legal System Austria Legal System Belgium Legal System Denmark Legal System England and Wales Legal System Finland Legal System French Legal System German Legal System Greece Legal System Holy See Legal System Iceland Legal System Ireland Legal System Isle of Man Legal System Italian Legal System Liechtenstein Legal … Read more
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