Instansene

Instansene is a Norwegian term used to describe levels of authority, decision-making bodies, or jurisdictions within legal and administrative systems. The word denotes the hierarchical stages through which decisions can be reviewed, revised, or appealed.

In legal contexts, instansene typically refers to the sequence of courts or tribunals that handle a case as it progresses. A matter usually begins in the court of first instance, such as a tingrett or equivalent, and may be appealed to a court of second instance, such as a lagmannsrett. In some jurisdictions, a third or higher instans, such as a supreme or constitutional court, may review the case on points of law or procedure. The concept emphasizes that different bodies hold different powers of decision and review.

In administrative law, instansene can refer to the chain of administrative bodies or agencies that issue decisions and grant or deny rights, with opportunities for appeal to higher instanser or review boards. This usage covers decisions at municipal, regional, or state levels, depending on the matter and the applicable legal framework. The term thus encompasses both judicial and administrative review pathways.

The plural form instansene is used when referring to several such levels or bodies, while the singular instans denotes a single authority or level. The concept is common in Nordic and continental legal language and is closely related to ideas of jurisdiction, authority, and appeal rights. In multilingual contexts, instansene is usually translated as “level of jurisdiction,” “instance,” or “appeal body,” with precise meaning varying by country and legal tradition.