This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Kingdom of Norway (Kongeriket Norge), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Norway’s Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Norway is located in Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Norway is bounded by the countries Sweden and Finland. The capital of Norway is Oslo. The official languages are Bokmal Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian, and, in one small province, Sami. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 5.3 million. The official religion of Norway is Evangelical Lutheran and about 82% of the population belongs to the Church of Norway.
Constitution & Legal Structure
Norway is referred to as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, as established in 1814 by its Constitution. Norway became an independent state after it peacefully separated from Sweden in 1905. The Norwegian Constitution was most recently amended in 2015, mandating gender-neutral conscription to the armed forces. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The executive branch is the Government, or Regjeringen. The head of the state is the King or the Queen Regent. The role of Regjeringen in the lawmaking process is to present bills to the Parliament and also to draw up regulations. The legislative branch is the Parliament, or Storting. The judicial branch consists of the District Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Although not a member of the European Union, Norway is part of the European Economic Area and maintains close ties with the EU.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Norway.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Norway.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Norway has no official school of Islamic law.
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English and Arabic translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].