Civil Affairs Department

Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The Civil Affairs Department is responsible for a broad range of specialist areas that are important for safeguarding the rights of individual citizens and facilitating sound judicial procedures.

The Civil Affairs Department is responsible for the following acts and associated regulations:

  • Courts of Justice Act
  • Extradition Act
  • Arrest Warrant Act
  • Compensation for Violent Crime Act
  • Legal Aid Act
  • Advocates Act
  • Security Activities Act
  • Court Fees Act

Among other things, the department is responsible for the framework conditions of the courts and the administration of civil justice at the grassroots level, including the conciliation boards. The department is also charged with following up the central guardianship authority and various types of compensation schemes. In addition, the department is responsible for international legal cooperation.

The Civil Affairs Department is responsible for agency management and administrative follow-up of the following agencies and bodies:

  • National Courts Administration
  • The Higher Prosecuting Authorities
  • Norwegian Civil Affairs Authority
  • Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs
  • Norwegian Criminal Cases Review Commission
  • Supervisory Council for Legal Practice

The department consists of the following sections

  • Section for Finance and Governance

    The Section for Finance and Governance is responsible for the department's work on the national budget processes, agency management of subordinate and associated agencies and bodies, financial analyses, R&D and building-related matters.

  • Section for Courts, Lawyers and Legal Aid

    The Section for Courts, Lawyers and Legal Aid is tasked with administering and developing the regulations that deal with the courts, and is responsible for the professional dialogue with the National Courts Administration.

  • Section for Extradition, Prosecution and Criminal Procedure

    The Section for Extradition, Prosecution and Criminal Procedure is responsible for international legal cooperation related to letters of request, extradition and arrest warrants, and also attends relevant international forums.