Law and Government

The issues of law, justice, and government are of tremendous importance to Icelanders.

The Norse settlers of Iceland came from lands with a strong tradition of householders’ assemblies that mediated disputes at a local level, sharing the same code of laws. Those assemblies, however, had their power and influence limited by the ruler and regional warlords. In Iceland, using the freedom afforded by the absence of a ruler, or any royalty at all, a new body of laws and a system of government emerged that is entirely unique in the Norse world.

The natural aspects of Iceland, with its uninhabitable interior, isolated fjords, and remote valleys, make communication difficult, and with that comes an ever-present danger that regionalism might grow and bring instability to society. The Alþing system of government by means of a National Assembly has so far successfully countered this danger and brought stability and prosperity.

Conflict Resolution

There are many accepted forms of conflict resolution in Icelandic society.

• Out-of-court Arbitration
• Legal Courts
• Duels
• Blood Vengeance
• Compensation

Out-of-court Arbitration

It is very common for the parties involved in a dispute to prefer to refrain from violence, while also preferring a less formal process than going to court. They may choose to seek a neutral third party to investigate the circumstances and try to reach a settlement If both sides of the dispute live in the same region, the obvious choice is for the local goði (chieftain) to arbitrate the dispute. If they are followers of a different goðar, a neutral goði from another area of the country is consulted. If a satisfactory settlement is not agreed upon with the help of the arbitrator, the matter should be taken to court at an assembly.

Legal Courts

Disputes can be brought directly to the courts at either the Spring Assembly or the National Assembly. The choice of court is open to the parties involved. Usually, if both parties live in the same region, the dispute is brought to the regional Spring Assembly if it has not yet taken place that year. Serious disputes can be brought directly to the National Assembly; this may also occur if the parties live in different regions, or if the Spring Assembly date has passed.