The first of three judical levels

There are three judicial levels in Iceland. The first (lowest) of these consists of the eight district courts (héraðsdómar), each of which has jurisdiction in its own region; the second is the Court of Appeals (Landsréttur) and Iceland’s Supreme Court is the highest court in the country’s judicial system.

All cases go first for resolution to the district court, referred to as the lower judicial level. Subject to certain conditions, the conclusions by the district courts may be appealed to a higher judicial levels.

Eight district courts

The number of district courts in Iceland is eight, each operating in separate districts in Iceland. The courts are the District Court of Reykjavík, the District Court of Reykjanes, the District Court of Western Iceland, the District Court of the Westfjords, the District Court of Northwest Iceland, the District Court of Northeast Iceland, the District Court of East Iceland and the District Court of South Iceland.

Judges and court staff

There are 42 judges in the district courts and they are appointed for an indefinite period. The Judical Administration decides which district judges have a permanent seat. Three of the district judges do not have a permanent seat (travelling judges).

The personnel of each district court consists, among others, of judges, assistants to the judges, court secretaries and office staff.

Main role

The main role of the district courts is to ensure that everyone receives fair and just treatment by an independent court of law. The judges shall be independent in their work; they shall abide only by law and render argued and comprehensible judgments within the time limits as provided for by law. Case procedure by a district court is public, which means that the general public may be present during sessions of the court and to follow the activities of the courts. According to the principal rule of public case procedure before a court, judgments shall principally be published. The Judicial Administration has decided that the disclosure of judgments shall be in the form of publication on the district courts’ website according to further rules thereon.

The district courts should furthermore promote trust and increased knowledge by the general public regarding the activities of the judiciary and the rule of law. The district courts therefore place much emphasis on highly competent personnel, efficiency, practicality and on the dissemination of information to the general public.

The activities of the district courts are highly diverse. Cases brought to court are categorized in general terms into 30 groups of cases or type of cases. The most extensive categories are criminal and civil cases.

Directors

The Judicial Administration is the primary administrative body of the Courts and operates on grounds of the provisions of the Act on the Judiciary.

One of the judges of the relevant court is the appointed chief judge of the court. In instances where the number of judges is three or more they elect one from amongst their group to preside. In the instance of there being one judge, he/she will be appointed as the chief judge of the said court. The chief judges of the district courts are in charge of the courts’ operation and are responsible for their activities.