Norwegian Civil Procedure - how to make fast Even Faster

Abstract

<p>Norwegian civil procedure scores well on efficiency as measured in average time for case processing and for achieving high trust among the public. General litigious civil and commercial cases are on average processed in approximately six months and small claims civil cases in four months. On average, a case has passed through both the District Court and the Court of Appeal within 13 months. The number of incoming litigious civil and commercial cases is the second lowest in Europe, with only 359 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012. <p>This text identifies and explores some of the key features providing efficiency in Norwegian civil proceedings. It will be argued that the main hearing model of civil proceedings, a preference for settlement and flexibility are central elements ensuring efficiency. Critical questions are also raised: Are the proceedings too efficient in some areas? Are there still points of improvement or threats to efficiency?