Réttarfars

Réttarfars is the body of law and practice that governs the conduct of legal proceedings in Iceland. It encompasses the rights of individuals during criminal and civil cases and the duties of authorities to secure a fair hearing. In the Icelandic constitutional framework, due process is protected by the Constitution and by the Criminal Procedure Act, with further norms in civil and administrative law.

Key elements include the presumption of innocence, the right to be informed of charges, the right to legal counsel, the right to a public and oral trial, the right to present and examine evidence, and the obligation to give reasons for judgments. The process generally proceeds from a pre-trial investigation by police and prosecutors to an indictment, followed by trials in the district courts. Appeals may move to Landsréttur (Court of Appeal) and, in certain cases, to Hæstiréttur (Supreme Court).

The institutions involved are the courts, the public prosecutor's office, and defense counsel, with legal aid available to those in need. The aim of rättarfars is to ensure justice is administered fairly, transparently, and efficiently, balancing public interest with individual rights. Internationally, Iceland's due process protections align with the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Iceland is a party, and the rule of law principles influence domestic reform.

In practice, ongoing reforms address issues such as trial delays, electronic case management, and the guarantee of counsel for vulnerable groups. Overall, rettarfars denotes the systematic framework that ensures lawful, fair, and accountable judicial proceedings in Iceland.