Rettskraft

Rettskraft is a legal term used in Norwegian law to describe the final and enforceable status of a decision. When a decision has rettskraft, it has reached its final form and cannot be challenged through ordinary court proceedings in the same case. The concept provides legal certainty by ensuring that disputes resolve with a binding outcome.

The moment rettskraft arises depends on the type of decision and applicable procedural rules. In civil and administrative cases, rettskraft typically occurs after the period for filing an appeal has expired without a successful appeal, or after all appeal avenues have been exhausted or waived. Once rettskraft is reached, the decision is generally enforceable, meaning the winning party may seek execution or other compulsory measures to ensure compliance.

Rettskraft does not imply that a decision can never be reviewed at all. In many systems, there are limited extraordinary remedies or grounds for revision, such as errors of procedure, new evidence, or jurisdictional flaws, which may allow a higher court to modify or overturn the decision. The exact scope and availability of such remedies are defined by law.

The concept covers both court judgments and certain administrative decisions, and its exact application can vary by jurisdiction and statute. In practice, rettskraft is a cornerstone of procedural efficiency and predictability, signaling that a dispute has reached its resolutive stage and that the parties must comply with the decision or seek relief only through narrowly defined post-decision remedies.