Áfrýjunardómstóll

Áfrýjunardómstóll is the Icelandic term for an appeals court. In the Icelandic legal system, the district courts (héraðsdómar) are the courts of first instance. Decisions made by these courts can be appealed to an áfrýjunardómstóll. The primary áfrýjunardómstóll in Iceland is Landsréttur, the Court of Appeal, which was established in 2018. Prior to its establishment, appeals from district courts were heard by the Supreme Court of Iceland (Hæstiréttur).

The Landsréttur hears appeals from all district courts. Its role is to review decisions of the district courts for errors of law or fact. Parties who are dissatisfied with a decision from the Landsréttur can, under certain conditions, seek to appeal to the Supreme Court of Iceland. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Iceland and its decisions are final. The establishment of Landsréttur was intended to alleviate the workload of the Supreme Court and to provide a more accessible appeals process for citizens. The judges of the áfrýjunardómstóll are appointed by the President of Iceland based on recommendations from a judicial appointments committee.