Laglínur

Laglínur are the individual provisions or clauses found in Icelandic legal texts, most commonly within statutes. The term refers to the numbered lines that together form the operative content of a law, outlining rights, duties, conditions, and procedures. In practice, laglínur are the building blocks of a statute and are arranged within chapters or sections to give the text structure and clarity.

In Icelandic legal writing, laglínur are often discussed alongside synonyms such as grein (section or article) and ákvæði (provision). The precise usage can vary by text, but all these elements serve to specify rules in a way that makes reference and interpretation straightforward. When laws are applied or challenged in court, specific laglínur are cited to indicate the exact rule at issue.

Amendment and interpretation are central to how laglínur function. They can be altered by new legislation or by revisions to existing acts, and courts interpret their language to determine scope and applicability. Clear drafting of laglínur aids predictability and enforceability of the law, while cross-references to other laglínur or to related laws help situate a provision within the broader legal framework.

See also: Lög, Grein, Ákvæði, Icelandic legal drafting.