Basic Legal Terms

To start, let’s cover some fundamental legal terms that you are likely to encounter:

Lög (Law): This is the general term for “law” in Icelandic. It is used to refer to statutes, regulations, and other formal legal rules.

Dómstóll (Court): This term refers to a court of law where legal cases are heard and decided.

Réttur (Right): This term is used to denote a legal right or entitlement. For example, “mannréttindi” means “human rights.”

Réttarkerfi (Judicial System): This refers to the entire legal and judicial system in Iceland.

Saksóknari (Prosecutor): A legal official who brings charges against someone in a court of law.

Verjandi (Defense Attorney): A lawyer who represents the accused party in a legal proceeding.

Sakborningur (Defendant): The individual against whom legal action is brought.

Common Legal Proceedings and Documents

Understanding the terms related to legal proceedings and documents can be particularly useful:

Kæra (Complaint): A formal legal document that initiates a lawsuit. It sets out the facts and legal reasons for the action.

Dómur (Judgment): A formal decision given by a court following a legal proceeding.

Ákæra (Indictment): A formal accusation that a person has committed a crime.

Úrskurður (Ruling): A decision made by a judge or a court in a legal matter, often used in the context of procedural issues.

Stefna (Summons): A document notifying a person that they are required to appear in court.

Samningur (Contract): A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Skilnaður (Divorce): The legal dissolution of a marriage.

Erfðaskrá (Will): A legal document that sets out how a person’s property is to be distributed after their death.

Criminal Law Terms

Criminal law has its own set of terms that are essential for understanding legal proceedings related to crimes:

Glæpur (Crime): A general term for an unlawful act punishable by the state.

Afbroti (Offense): A specific act that violates the law and is punishable.

Refsivert (Punishable): This term is used to describe actions that are subject to legal penalties.

Refsing (Punishment): The penalty imposed for committing a crime.

Fangelsi (Prison): A facility where individuals convicted of crimes are held.

Sakfelling (Conviction): A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime.

Sýkna (Acquittal): A formal declaration that someone is not guilty of a crime.

Civil Law Terms

Civil law involves legal disputes between individuals or organizations and includes terms such as:

Kröfu (Claim): A demand for something as due or believed to be due.

Bætur (Damages): Monetary compensation ordered by the court to be paid to an individual who has suffered loss or injury.

Skuld (Debt): An obligation to pay money to another party.

Gjaldþrot (Bankruptcy): A legal status of a person or entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors.

Leigusamningur (Lease Agreement): A contract between a landlord and tenant outlining the terms of property rental.

Family Law Terms

Family law covers legal issues related to family relationships, including:

Forræði (Custody): Legal guardianship of a child.

Umgengnisréttur (Visitation Rights): The right granted to a non-custodial parent to visit their child.

Fóstur (Foster Care): A system in which a minor is placed with a foster parent or family.

Ættleiðing (Adoption): The legal process of taking another person’s child into one’s family.

Property Law Terms

Property law involves terms related to ownership and rights over property:

Eign (Property): Anything that is owned by a person or entity.

Veð (Mortgage): A legal agreement by which a bank lends money in exchange for taking the title of the debtor’s property.

Leigusali (Landlord): The owner of property that is leased or rented to another.

Leigutaki (Tenant): An individual who leases or rents property from a landlord.

Employment Law Terms

Employment law governs the relationship between employers and employees and includes:

Laun (Wages): The monetary compensation paid by an employer to an employee.

Ráðningarsamningur (Employment Contract): A formal agreement outlining the terms of employment between an employer and an employee.

Uppsögn (Termination): The act of ending an employment relationship.

Starfsmaður (Employee): An individual who is hired to perform tasks for an employer.

Atvinnurekandi (Employer): An individual or entity that hires employees.

Immigration Law Terms

Immigration law deals with terms related to the movement of people across borders, including:

Dvalarleyfi (Residence Permit): A document allowing a foreign national to live in Iceland.

Vegabréf (Passport): An official document issued by a government certifying the holder’s identity and citizenship.

Ríkisborgari (Citizen): A legally recognized subject or national of a state.

Útlendingastofnun (Directorate of Immigration): The government agency responsible for immigration matters in Iceland.

Corporate Law Terms

Corporate law involves terms related to the formation and operation of companies, including:

Félag (Company): An organization formed to conduct business.

Hluthafi (Shareholder): An individual or entity that owns shares in a company.

Stjórn (Board of Directors): A group of individuals elected to represent shareholders and oversee the activities of a company.

Stjórnandi (Executive): An individual responsible for the day-to-day management of a company.

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with these commonly used legal terms in Icelandic can significantly ease the process of understanding and navigating the legal system in Iceland. Whether you are dealing with criminal law, civil law, family law, property law, employment law, immigration law, or corporate law, having a basic understanding of these terms will be immensely beneficial. Keep this guide handy as a reference to help you better comprehend legal documents and proceedings in the Icelandic language.

Learning legal terminology is just one part of mastering a language, but it is an important one, especially for those who find themselves in legal situations. By taking the time to learn these terms, you will be better prepared to handle any legal matters that come your way in Iceland.