The Supreme Court of Iceland, known in Icelandic as Hæstiréttur Íslands, stands at the top of the country’s judiciary. It serves as the final court of appeal, marking the place where Icelandic legal decisions are ultimately resolved. The Court’s evolution is deeply connected to the country’s historical journey from being under Danish authority to becoming a fully self-governing state.
An institution tied to sovereignty
Before the 20th century, major legal disputes in Iceland could end up in Copenhagen, at the Supreme Court of Denmark. For many Icelanders, the desire to have the highest court within Iceland became intertwined with broader demands for national independence. The quest for an Icelandic court with the final say began as early as 1851, appearing repeatedly in debates before gaining real momentum in the 20th century.
Full sovereignty was recognised in 1918, setting the stage for the creation of a domestic Supreme Court. The pivotal legislation appeared in 1919, drafted by Einar Arnórsson and passed in that year’s Alþingi (parliament) session. On 16 February 1920, the Supreme Court of Iceland convened for its first session, with Kristján Jónsson as its first president. This development ended the longstanding practice of appealing major cases to Denmark and was celebrated as a landmark in the nation’s legal history.
How the Court works
Today, the Supreme Court is composed of seven justices. These are selected through a process involving a Qualifications Committee and the minister of justice, with formal confirmation by the president of Iceland. The Court is now led by President Benedikt Bogason.
Cases are mostly presented orally and are public. Three or five justices typically hear a case, but in particularly significant matters, the president can call on all seven. After hearing arguments, the justices deliberate in private and one prepares the opinion, which becomes the decision of the Court. Their judgements have lasting authority, ensuring the case is definitively resolved within the Icelandic legal system.
Lawyers and justices maintain traditions distinctive to Icelandic legal culture. Lawyers present their cases in black robes with blue lapels, while justices’ own robes invert the colours. This custom is said to have started at the suggestion of early lawyers before the Court.
A symbolic home at Arnarhóll
The Supreme Court has moved several times in Reykjavík. Its current home was designed specifically for the Court and opened in 1996 at the foot of Arnarhóll, a hill in the city centre. This building not only offers a practical space for legal proceedings but also signals the position of the judiciary in modern Icelandic society.
Over its century of operation, the Supreme Court has gained a respected place as a protector of rights and an emblem of the value Icelanders place on an independent and reliable legal system. Its history continues to reflect both the scale of change in Iceland’s society and the enduring importance of justice.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
