Iceland · Overview
The legal system of Iceland
A Nordic civil-law system whose parliament, the Althingi, traces its origins to 930 AD. Iceland is not an EU member but is bound by most single-market law through the EEA Agreement.
Legal tradition
Iceland belongs to the civil law (nordic) tradition. A Nordic civil-law system whose parliament, the Althingi, traces its origins to 930 AD. Iceland is not an EU member but is bound by most single-market law through the EEA Agreement.
How power is divided
Parliamentary government with a directly elected President who holds a suspensive veto that can trigger a referendum, and an independent three-tier judiciary.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- The 1944 constitution as amended.
- EEA law
- Single-market rules incorporated through the EEA Agreement.
- Acts of the Althingi
- Primary legislation.
- Regulations
- Issued by ministers under statutory authority.
The legal profession
Lawyers qualify through a law degree and practical requirements; rights of audience are tiered from district court up to the Supreme Court.
Found something out of date on Iceland · Overview?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.