Oslo District Court

Staff and organisation
Oslo District Court is the largest first-level court in Norway. 
The judicial staff consists of 100 appointed professional judges and deputy judges. The Chief Justice ("sorenskriver") appoints deputy judges for a period of up to two years, while the King in Council appoints the permanent judges. Judicial activity is divided into 8 sections, each consisting of 1 administrator (judge), 10 judges/deputy judges, 1 administrative clerk and 7-8 clerks.

The administrative staff numbers 105 employees: 30 in central administration (HR, accounting, IT, general office work etc), 59 in judicially related work and 16 in service and security. A managing director heads the administrative staff.

Cases
Oslo District Court handles 20% of all civil and criminal cases in Norway. In 2007 the court dealt with approximately 3000 criminal cases with lay judges, 7200 summary proceedings (confession cases (where the defendant pleaded guilty), remanding in custody etc.) and 2200 civil cases.  The judges divide their time approximately equally between criminal and civil cases.

The Government has set a maximum time limit from when a case is brought before court until a verdict is reached. The standard is 3 months in criminal cases (with lay judges) and 6 months in civil cases.  In recent years, Oslo District Court has managed to reach the standard in criminal cases. The 6-month standard in civil cases has been exceeded by one month but is expected to be reached by 2009.

Proceedings
The Norwegian Criminal Procedure Act is based on oral proceedings. Evidence must be heard in court. As the only document prior to the main hearing, the court receives the indictment. Judges are not allowed to see police records before the opening of the trial.
One professional judge and two lay judges normally constitute the court.

The Civil Procedure Act applies a different approach.
Prior to the main hearing there is often extensive preparatory work and exchange of written arguments between the parties. In most cases, only one professional judge presides over the court. In some cases, however, lay judges or expert judges may also be appointed.

Court Conciliation Programme
Oslo District Court provides a conciliation programme to the parties in civil cases. The programme started as a project in 1999 and was later instituted as an obligatory arrangement in all district courts in Norway. In 2007 negotiations were initiated in 18% of cases, with a successful result in 74% of them. The conciliation procedure embraces several advantages compared to ordinary civil proceedings, such as reduced time and costs. The main objective is to find the middle ground and a solution that will satisfy both parties. In the end, there are no winners or losers. This is potentially an important advantage, especially for those who will continue to relate to one another in the future, such as parents and neighbours. 

Witness support
A witness support office is located on the ground floor of the courthouse. The voluntary staff are recruited and given instruction by the Oslo Red Cross.
The staff’s job is to provide witnesses with practical help, information and emotional support, hereby making witness duty less burdensome. The main purpose is to strengthen the legal rights and duties of all parties. 
Throughout 2007 more than 1000 witnesses received witness support.

Use of interpreters
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of interpreters, both due to a growing multicultural population and the internationalisation of crime.
In Oslo District Court, interpreters were used in 23% of all cases in 2007, fewer in civil cases and more in criminal cases. The language most interpreted is Arabic, followed by English, Somali and Polish. In the same year interpretation was carried out in 46 languages. Oslo District Court accounts for 50% of the national usage of interpreters.
A register of qualified interpreters has been established in the last five years to ensure use of the best available interpreters.

Information brochure (PDF.)

Further information in English

The Courts of Justice. A historical survey of the courts as well as their roles, functions and tasks.

The criminal court proceedings

Guide to convicted

Guide to person in detainment

Being a witness in court

Judicial Mediation

Court hearings and publicity