The Faroese Court

21. Apr 2021
Far fewer court cases in 2020

This is a big decrease on the 2019 figures. In 2020, there were about 700 fewer cases in the Faroese Court, 350 fewer in the bailiff’s court and about 100 fewer in the probate and bankruptcy court. The number of cases heard by the Head Committee of Preservation is unchanged.

A vast majority of cases in the Faroese Court – about 980 in 2020 – are civil cases. This figure started increasing at the turn of the century, peaking in 2008 with 2,000 cases. Since then, the annual number of civil cases has been on a steady decline, having now gone below 1,000, which is the lowest figure this century. Civil cases deal with disputes between individuals or private companies.

The annual number of criminal cases also saw a steady increase at the turn of the century, from 300 in 2000 to a peak of just over 800 in 2013. It has since returned to about 300. Criminal cases involve persons or companies accused of committing a criminal offence, which may result in a penalty or a sentence.

The bailiff’s court has seen a gradual decline in its activities, with a peak in 2009.

Part of the bailiff’s court activities are auctions of real property and ships. Most of these auctions deal with real property, but the numbers are low.

The probate and bankruptcy court has seen a gradual increase in cases over the past 20 years.

The probate and bankruptcy court has seen a gradual increase in cases over the past 20 years.

The annual number of cases heard by the Head Committee of Preservation has been on a steady increase over the past 20 years, going from 50 to about 80.