The National Law Anniversary in the Supreme Court
In 2024, we celebrate the 750th anniversary of King Magnus the Lawmender's National Law, the first set of laws to cover all of Norway. The National Law Anniversary will be celebrated across the country, also in the Supreme Court.
King Magnus the Lawmender’s Landlaw is one of the most significant set of laws in the history of Norway. It applied from 1274 until the end of the 17th century. It formed our past, and we find many traces of it in today’s rule-of-law society.
Magnus the Lawmender in the Supreme Court Building
On the wall above the stairwell of the Supreme Court’s lobby, you will find marble slabs engraved with various historical and well-known legal quotes. One of them is from King Magnus the Lawmender’s Landlaw: “Each of our countrymen in the realm of Norway’s king shall be sacred and inviolable to others at home and abroad”.
The Landlaw conferred rights on everyone, rich or poor, woman or man, unborn or old, and made everyone members of the rule-of-law society. This was a new and radical way of thinking in 1274.
The Landlaw Jubilee in 2024
The Supreme Court Building is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 15.30. The marble plate with the quote from King Magnus the Lawmender’s Landlaw hangs above the stairs in our lobby.
From 1 February we will also exhibit a new magnificent edition of the Landlaw.
On Thursday 1 February and Friday 2 February, we provide a guided tour to everyone who drops by. The house is open and you do not need to pre-register.
Would you be interested in visiting us on another date? We offer tours for groups of 10–40 people throughout the year.
Tours in the Supreme Court Building
The Landlaw Jubilee will be celebrated with many events across the country.