Crown differences in Norwegian food courts – NRK Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio

– I wonder about the big differences. Your place of residence should not determine whether or not you receive legal assistance on time.

That is what the lawyer Rolf Knudsen told NRK. It fears that slow action may lead to human rights violations and unequal legal security for the country’s population.

He himself has a client who is in custody waiting for his case to be handled in the Bergen District Court.

But there is a long line.

Admit unfortunate situation

Since March 13, the country’s second largest district court has filed 117 criminal cases. Compared to the same period last year, they have more than 50 percent fewer cases resolved.

Recent figures from the Court Administration show that there are now 1,366 criminal cases online in Norwegian district courts. This is an increase of almost 200 cases since the end of April.

– It is a key human right that your cases be tried in a reasonable time in court. This is put at risk with so many delays, says lawyer Knudsen.

Arne Langeland, sorority magistrate at the Bergen District Court, says the coronatida has been demanding.

He emphasizes that they have been loyal to the authority’s infection control rules and that very few rooms in the Bergen District Court have been adequate for their use. Still, he admits that the situation is unfortunate.

“In the future, this will pose particular challenges for the various parties to a lawsuit,” he says.

– Must comply in a crisis

Just over 600 kilometers further north, in Trondheim, is the third largest district court in the country. But for the Sør-Trøndelag district court the situation is quite different from that of Bergen.

In recent months, District Court employees have made a quantum leap digitally, says magistrate Leif Otto Østerbø.

– We have focused on liquidating what we can digitally. The first few weeks after March 13, we used to train the staff. There’s no question of a lot of extra work, but we’ll be able to handle this for a while. It is important to comply also in a crisis, he says.

They now have 20 criminal cases that have been postponed only because of the crown.

Before closing large sections of Norwegian society, Bergen had a processing time of 5.3 months. Sør-Trøndelag spent an average of 1.6 months in the same type of cases.

Big differences

But it is not only in Bergen where you fight. A survey by NRK shows that there are vast differences between the country’s district courts.

(The figures apply to all types of criminal cases, both solitary and co-judicial)

Minister: – Must share experience

According to the judicial administration, part of the problem lies in the limitations of the courts and digital tools.

Some courts, such as the Bergen District Court, are located in an old and outdated court with many smaller courtrooms. They have a poor technical team, writes department director Jann Ola Berget in an email to NRK.

If the government grants $ 35 million to digitize Norwegian courts, which were presented in the revised budget on Tuesday, this will be of great help in the process, Berget believes.

The Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Management, Monica Mæland, tells NRK that they are aware of the big differences. She emphasizes the importance of everyone having equal access to a court.

– I would urge the courts to learn from each other and share good experiences.

– Guilty can go free

Lawyer Rolf Knudsen believes that the consequences of the current situation will be serious for many.

– Several people have to put their lives on hold to solve a case. The culprit may be released because witnesses no longer remember the incidents as well. After all, the court must rule out if there is any doubt, he says.

He also believes that some of the civil cases will never go to justice because people cannot stand in line.

In a letter from the Justice Administration to the Ministry of Justice, it is stated that they will need an additional NOK 24 million in 2020 alone. Next year they have projected that they will need an additional 71 million, while in 2022 they expect an increase of 38 million.

The money will primarily cover additional judicial remedies, the letter says.