The judicial system

The courts are those state institutions that exercise judicial power and form the judicial system in Iceland. Judicial power includes interpreting the law and applying that interpretation to resolve disputes and determine guilt or innocence.

The legal system

The judicial system is a large part of the legal system in Iceland. Another large part is the public prosecution, which is in the hands of the public prosecutor and district prosecutor, among others. Prosecution and the courts are completely separate.

A three-tier system

Iceland has a three-tier court system: district courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

In addition are the Court of Restitution, which decides whether to reopen a case, and the Labour Court, which resolves disputes in the labour market.

Judicial independence

Each court level is independent. This means that each case is reevaluated at each court level.

The third pillar of power

The judiciary is the third pillar of Iceland’s tripartite government system. The other two are the legislative and executive powers.

Involvement of individuals in the judicial system

Dispute. When the plaintiff brings a civil case. The parties to the case, the plaintiff or the defendant, subsequently resolve the dispute before the courts. Individuals can also be involved in civil cases as witnesses.

• The plaintiff is the person who initiates the case and pursues claims

• The defendant is the person against whom the case and claim are directed and who takes the defence

• These parties can be individuals, companies, associations or public institutions

The law is broken. If a crime occurs, or there is a suspicion of crime, a person can enter criminal proceedings as a victim, defendant or witness.

Something unexpected happens/Other cases. Bankruptcy, etc.

Court cases

All court cases are first heard by the district courts. Cases before a district court can be of various types.

The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court will only hear cases that have been appealed, either civil or criminal cases.

Location

Individuals are prosecuted in the district court of the district in which they are domiciled or where the crime was committed. In the case of companies, location depends on where the company has its place of business.