Norway
The justice system of Norway
A unitary civil-law monarchy under the 1814 Constitution: independent courts that exercise constitutional review themselves, and a prosecution the minister cannot instruct.
Facts on this page were checked against their sources on .
Norway is governed by the Constitution of 1814. Article 87 provides that "the ordinary courts of justice are the Supreme Court, the courts of appeal and the district courts", and Article 88 that "the Supreme Court pronounces judgment in the final instance" and its judgments "may in no case be appealed". Article 91 requires the authorities of the State to "ensure the independent administration of the courts", and Article 90 protects judges' security of tenure.
The same idea, explained generally
- What is justice?
Justice is the principle that people should be treated according to rules that apply equally to everyone, decided by bodies that are authorised, constrained, and answerable. This guide explains what that means institutionally.
- What is the rule of law?
The rule of law is the principle that everyone, including the government, is subject to law that is public, applied equally, and interpreted by independent courts. This guide explains what it requires and what it does not.
- What do courts do?
Courts resolve disputes, test the state’s case against individuals, interpret law, and review public decisions. This guide explains those functions and why judicial independence is structural.
Sources
Sources
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway (Kongeriket Norges Grunnlov), 1814 — Chapters D and E
Lovdata (official legal database of Norway) · Legislation · 1814 · link verified 2026-07-26
The 1814 Constitution's official English translation on Lovdata, read (and independently re-confirmed in the verification pass). Supports Art. 87 ("The ordinary courts of justice are the Supreme Court, the courts of appeal and the district courts"), Art. 88 ("The Supreme Court pronounces judgment in the final instance … may in no case be appealed"), Art. 89 (the courts "have the power and the duty to review whether applying a statutory provision is contrary to the Constitution" — constitutional review by the ordinary courts, so there is no separate constitutional court), Art. 90 (judges appointed by the King on the recommendation of an independent council; security of tenure), Art. 91 ("The authorities of the State shall ensure the independent administration of the courts"), and Art. 95 (the independence and impartiality of the courts). Lovdata publishes the English translation officially; the authoritative text is Norwegian. WAVE 20 ADDITION. Read from the same Lovdata text of the Grunnlov. Supports Kongeriket Norges Grunnlov § 25 tredje ledd: “Regjeringen har ikke rett til å bruke militær makt mot innbyggerne uten etter lov, med mindre en forsamling forstyrrer den offentlige ro og ikke øyeblikkelig oppløses etter at de lovbestemmelser som angår opprør, tre ganger høyt og tydelig er opplest for forsamlingen av den sivile øvrighet.”. Supports Kongeriket Norges Grunnlov § 26: “Kongen har rett til å innkalle tropper, begynne krig til forsvar av landet og slutte fred, inngå og oppheve forbund, sende og motta sendemenn. Traktater om saker som er av særlig stor viktighet, og i alle tilfeller traktater hvis iverksettelse etter Grunnloven nødvendiggjør en ny lov eller stortingsbeslutning, blir først bindende når Stortinget har gitt sitt samtykke dertil.”. Supports Kongeriket Norges Grunnlov § 17: “Kongen kan gi og oppheve anordninger som angår handel, toll, næringsveier og offentlig regulering; dog må de ikke stride mot konstitusjonen og de lover som Stortinget har gitt i samsvar med de etterfølgende §§ 76, 77, 78 og 79. De gjelder provisorisk til neste Storting.”. Cited for the constitutional bar on using military force against the inhabitants except pursuant to statute. NEGATIVE FINDING, recorded because it is load-bearing: the Grunnlov contains NO written derogation clause for human rights in an emergency, and two separate constitutional-amendment proposals before the Storting say so in terms. This record supports no claim about unwritten doctrine, and no claim about any other country.
The ordinary courts of justice
Norges Domstoler / Norwegian Courts Administration (domstol.no) · Government publication · link verified 2026-07-26
The Norwegian courts' own English site, read directly and re-confirmed. Supports the three-instance hierarchy: 23 district courts (tingrettene) with 59 court venues, six courts of appeal (lagmannsrettene), and the Supreme Court (Høyesterett) as the apex with 20 justices, described as "one of Norway's three highest constitutional authorities". Establishes that the same ordinary Supreme Court is the apex for civil, criminal and constitutional-review matters; there is no separate constitutional court and no separate supreme administrative court.