New grand chamber hearing in the Supreme Court: The Karasjok case

Claim for collective property rights to large parts of the land in Karasjok municipality. Property law. Immemorial use.  

Chief Justice Toril Marie Øie decided on 28 September 2023 that the cases will be heard by the Supreme Court sitting as a grand chamber. 

The parties to the cases are: 

I.
The Finnmark Estate
(Counsel Frode Andersen Innjord)

Máhkarávju siida (intervener)
(Counsel Thorsteinn J. Skansbo)

v.

Karasjok Sami association
Karasjok municipality
Anárjohkdalens welfare association
Beskenjárga local association
Dalabogi Guovlu
Iešjohtsearvi
Váljohk biras
Descendants of Amund Hansen
Descendants of Amund A. Grønvold
Descendants of Hans Sollien
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K
Descendants of Petter Nilsen Moen
Descendants of Anna Magga Josefsdatter Guttorm
(Counsel Caroline Lund, Lasse Gommerud Våg, Carsten Smith Elgesem)

II.
Guttorm group
Reindeer Grazing District 13
Reindeer Grazing District 16                                                    
(Counsel Andreas Brønner, Eirik Brønner)

v.

The Finnmark Estate
(Counsel Frode Andersen Innjord)

Máhkarávju siida (intervener)
(Counsel Thorsteinn J. Skansbo)

Plenary and grand chamber hearings

Most cases in the Supreme Court are heard by a division composed of five justices. Cases of particular importance may be heard by a grand chamber composed of eleven justices or by the plenary composed of all available justices. 

When determining whether to refer a case to the plenary or a grand chamber, regard is had to whether it raises issues of conflict between ordinary legislation and the Constitution or treaties by which Norway is bound through international cooperation.