Skýrsluhöldum

Skýrsluhöldum is an Icelandic term used to refer to the sessions or proceedings in which witnesses give testimony, typically under oath, in legal or formal inquiries. The concept covers the act of taking statements from witnesses as well as the hearings themselves. It is encountered in criminal and civil cases, administrative investigations, and parliamentary inquiries, and is a common element in court records and investigative reporting.

Grammatical note and usage: skýrsluhöldum is the dative plural form of the noun related to skýrsluhald, the process of obtaining testimony. In sentences with prepositions, it appears as "í skýrsluhöldum" or "frá skýrsluhöldum," indicating location or scope of the hearings. In English, it is typically translated as "testimony hearings" or "depositions."

Context and function: During skýrsluhöld, witnesses are questioned by appropriate authorities—such as judges, prosecutors, or inquiry committees—and their statements are recorded, often in official transcripts. The hearings form a core part of fact-finding, helping to establish the evidentiary basis of a case. The procedures and rights involved are defined by Icelandic law and the rules of the relevant authority or court.

See also: skýrslur (statements or testimonies), skýrsluhald (the act of taking testimony).