Hjemlet

Hjemlet is a Norwegian adjective meaning “authorized” or “having a legal basis to act.” It is used to describe decisions, powers, or measures that have been granted authority by law, regulation, or official mandate. In formal language, it signals that an action is within the scope of what the law or an official rule allows.

The form hjemlet comes from the verb hjemle, meaning to authorize or base on law. In legal style, the related noun hjemmel denotes the actual legal basis or authority. A rule, decision, or action is described as hjemlet when it has been grounded in that basis, for example “hjemlet i loven” (authorized by the law).

Examples include: “Vedtaket er hjemlet i forvaltningsloven” (The decision is authorized by the Public Administration Act) and “Loven gir hjemmel til å innføre midlertidige tiltak” (The law provides the legal basis to introduce temporary measures). “Denne myndigheten er hjemlet i kommuneloven” (This authority is grounded in the Municipal Act). In contemporary Norwegian, hjemlet appears mainly in formal government and legal contexts, such as policy documents, judicial decisions, and regulatory texts.

Related terms include “hjemmel” (the legal basis or authority) and “hjemler” (to authorize). Understanding hjemlet helps interpret government decisions, regulations, and court rulings by indicating the source of their legal power.