Conciliation Board – Effective Resolution of Civil Disputes in Norway

The Conciliation Board is an important first step in the Norwegian legal system. It offers an effective way to resolve conflicts without the formal and costly process associated with a full court case in the District Court. The Conciliation Board is tasked with facilitating the resolution of the matter simply through mediation or judgment for the parties.

What types of cases are dealt with in the Conciliation Board?

The Conciliation Board handles civil cases - conflicts between parties over who has the law on their side. This can include disputes over monetary claims, breaches of contract, or other disagreements between private individuals or businesses.

However, there are certain types of cases that the Conciliation Board does not handle:

• Tenancy disputes (handled by the Rent Dispute Tribunal)

• Employment law cases, such as unjust dismissals

• Cases against public authorities concerning non-private law matters

Case processing in the Conciliation Board

1. Filing a conciliation complaint

The process begins when a party submits a conciliation complaint. The complaint must include information about the parties, a description of the case, and a clear claim.

2. Response from the opposing party

The opposing party has the opportunity to respond to the complaint with a reply. If the opposing party accepts the claim, the Conciliation Board can issue a judgment directly.

3. Meeting in the Conciliation Board

If the case is not resolved after the reply, the parties are summoned to a meeting. Attendance is mandatory for individuals residing in the municipality or a neighboring municipality. Others may attend via a representative.

During the meeting:

• Both parties present their side of the case

• The Conciliation Board seeks to mediate a solution

Possible outcomes of the case

A case in the Conciliation Board can have several different outcomes:

1. Settlement

If the parties agree, a legal settlement is made. This is legally binding and can be enforced if necessary.

2. Judgment

The Conciliation Board can issue a judgment in the case if:

• The dispute amount is under 200,000 kroner and one of the parties requests it

• The dispute amount is 200,000 kroner or more and both parties consent

• The opposing party does not attend (default judgment)

3. Adjournment or dismissal

The case may also be adjourned if the Conciliation Board does not have a basis for issuing a judgment or if the parties do not consent to a judgment being issued. If the complainant does not attend, the case is dismissed.

Appeal of decisions

A party dissatisfied with the outcome has the following options:

• For default judgments: Request reinstatement within one month

• For other judgments: Take the matter to the District Court within one month

• For certain decisions: Appeal directly to the District Court

Settlements and final judgments are conclusive and binding for the parties.

Benefits of Conciliation Board proceedings

The Conciliation Board offers a fast, affordable, and informal way to resolve conflicts. The process is designed to be accessible without legal assistance, although one can be accompanied by an agent or lawyer if necessary.

Through its mediation role, the Conciliation Board helps ensure that many cases are resolved amicably, saving both the parties and the legal system time and resources.

Do you have questions about the Conciliation Board or are you facing a potential case in the Conciliation Board? Do not hesitate to contact us at Sterk AS Law Firm. We can guide you through the entire process, from the drafting of the conciliation complaint to representation in meetings.