Information about the Norwegian Courts Administration and the board of governors.
The Norwegian Courts Administration
The Norwegian Courts Administration is the central administration for the Supreme Court, six Courts of Appeal, 66 District Courts and 39 Land Consolidation Courts/superior Land Consolidation Courts.
The NCA acts as a support and service agency for the courts and plays an important part in developing strategic plans that enable the courts to meet the challenges presented before them. NCA seeks to make conditions favourable for the courts in order to ensure reasonable and efficient operation. This in turn will establish increased public confidence in the courts.
An independent administration of the courts
The separation of powers is the background for the establishment of the NCA. It is the very essence of a state governed by law that the courts will not be placed under any political steering control in the performance of their judicial functions. This has been a central principle in Norwegian government since the adoption of the Constitution by Riksforsamlingen (the constituent assembly) at Eidsvoll in 1814. To ensure greater independence from the executive and legislative powers, the administration of the courts was transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the NCA on November 1, 2002.
Stortinget (the Parliament) sets objectives and draws up general guidelines and expectations of the courts’ and the NCA’s work as well as decides the annual budget. The NCA and the Ministry of Justice hold regular contact meetings on matters related to allocation of resources and amendments of the rules governing the courts. The Ministry of Justice has main responsibility for legal consultation papers and legislation but is not in a position to instruct the NCA with respect to specific administrative matters.
The NCA is located in Trondheim.
Department of Training Management
The NCA is responsible for the professional training/additional education of judges and court staff.
Department of Human Resources
The NCA is responsible for personnel management, including occupational safety, health management, work environment and personnel counselling. As new demands and challenges face the courts, the NCA will focus on organizational skills and management.
Department of Financial Control and Property Management
The NCA draws up a draft budget for the courts and acts as a supplier of terms in relation to the government’s annual budgetary process. Following the Parliament’s budget bill, the NCA allocates the annual budget to the courts. NCA also acts as the courts’ central accounting unit and manages the estate. In addition the NCA is responsible for finance strategies and cost effective measures.
Department of Legal Affairs
The NCA cannot review courts’ judgements but will upon request answer general questions related to the courts’ work. The NCA also handles claims for compensation from persons alleging that the court has made errors. The NCA initiates judicial work and legislation within the courts’ domain.
Department of Service Development
NCA is responsible for various committees’ and boards’ meetings as well as the Annual Chief Judges’ Meeting and the General Meeting of Norwegian Judges. NCA will develop service policies for the courts in relation to court users.
Department of Communications
The NCA is responsible for developing the information work within the courts, between the courts as well as to the public and the media. The Internet site www.domstol.no together with intranet, various publications and media relations are important tools in this respect. The NCA promotes the courts’ interests by meeting political authorities and the civil service. The NCA has the overall responsibility for the courts’ archives.
Department of Information and Communication Technology
The NCA ensures continuous improvement of the courts’ ICT services and has operational responsibilty for ICT procurements, installation and system developments. Operational staff provides ICT support to judges and court staff.
Department for Land Consolidation
The NCA is responsible not only for the general courts but also for the land consolidation courts. The purpose of land consolidation is to lay the groundwork for a more efficient exploitation of properties. The land consolidation court can render a verdict in disputes before it starts reorganizing the properties. Issues relating to these courts are organised in this department.
Secretariat to the Judicial Appointments Board
On the basis of submitted applications, and the Board’s assessment, the Board submits a recommendation to the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice submits the nomination to the King in Council which is the authority for the appointment. The NCA operates as the Board’s secretariat.
Secretariat to the Supervisory Committee for Judges
Anyone who has been subjected to alleged misconduct of a judge, may bring a complaint against the judge to the Supervisory Committee for Judges. The NCA operates the Committee’s secretariat.
Extra-judicial activities – Register
The NCA keeps the register on judges’ extra-judicial activities such as membership of boards and committees. Investments and previous post before becoming a judge are also required to be registered. Some extra-judicial activities must be approved before the judge can undertake the activities. The register is open to the public.
International Secretariat
The NCA is member of commisions and networks related to court development mainly in Europe, and is involved in projects related to judicial capacity building in several European countries. The NCA also coordinates and supports international acitivities among the courts.
The NCA’s organisation
The Board of Governors is the supreme authority of the NCA. The Board consists of nine members; four judges, one representative of court employees, two advocates appointed by the Government and two representatives of the general public, the latter elected by the Parliament. The Board appoints the director of the NCA for a fixed term of six years. The director is responsible for the NCA’s day-to-day activities.