The prize is awarded for digitalisation of the legal system and improved cooperation between institutions within the justice system. The portal is designed to establish a new and better framework for communication between the parties in the Icelandic legal system. The project is an ambitious collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the courts, the police, the prosecution, the Prison Service, the Icelandic Law Society, Digital Iceland and the software company Kolibri. The collaboration has been ongoing for the past 6 years, with preparations for the project starting in 2019 and the focus to date has been on digitalising the processes in criminal cases and electronic publications on island.is.

“The project marks a turning point, but it contributes to shorter procedure times, lower legal costs, lower carbon footprint and increased transparency. The main focus is on transferring data, not people. It is a great honor for all of us to receive this prize for collaboration that has strengthened services, simplified processes and created benefits for society,” says Guðlaug Dröfn Þórhallsdóttir, project manager at the Ministry of Justice.

The Innovation Prize is awarded by the Financial Management Authority to highlight strong reform efforts and innovations that improve the quality and efficiency of public services.

The photo shows Guðlaug Dröfn Þórhallsdóttir, project manager at the Ministry of Justice, Íris Elma Guðmann, project manager and Snædís Ósk Sigurjónsdóttir, lawyer at the Ministry of Justice at the award ceremony.