The Supreme Court's Annual Report 2022
Appeals to the Supreme Court in 2022
Despite the general decline in the number of court cases in recent years, there is a steady number of appeals to the Supreme Court. In 2022, we received 2155 appeals, which is on level with the flow of appeals since 2017. The numbers show that the possibility to appeal to the Supreme Court is used at least as often as before.
In a few areas of law, there has been a distinct decline in incoming cases. This includes child welfare cases. Although one cannot say for certain, the decline may indicate that the Supreme Court's rulings in the wake of Strand Lobben and Others v. Norway in the European Court of Human Rights have provided clarification of the law to courts and the legal community at large.
Criminal cases in the Supreme Court
The need for clarification and development of criminal law emerges in particular as a result of new legislation or changes in society. Criminal cases arising from rules adopted during the corona pandemic are among the examples from 2022.
In 2022, the Supreme Court decided more criminal cases following oral hearings in a division than in the two preceding years, a total of 55. In comparison, 30 criminal cases were heard in 2020 and 43 in 2021.
Civil cases in the Supreme Court
In 2022, the Supreme Court heard 57 civil cases. A numer of them dealt with consumer issues, including the liability of a bank customer after BankID fraud. The Supreme Court also heard several cases concerning house purchasing.
Live streaming
During the last year, we have put a lot of effort into communicating the rulings and cases in a manner that is easier to understand for the public and the press. In 2023, we will also be able to offer lives streaming of selected hearings. The Supreme Court hears cases from all over the country, and we have for a long time worked to have this opportunity. We were therefore very pleased when the Storting crated a legal basis for this last summer. Technical equipment and guidelines will be in place soon. The first hearing to be streamed from our webstie is the plenary case on the Svalbard Treaty, on 24–27 January. This case will be streamed with a simple technical solution, pending installation of permanent equipment in the courtrooms.