Stevningen

Stevningen is a term commonly used in Norwegian legal contexts, referring to the formal initiation of a civil lawsuit. It is the document that officially notifies a defendant that they are being sued and outlines the plaintiff's claims. The stevning is a critical document in the legal process, serving as the foundation upon which the case will be built.

The stevning must contain specific information as stipulated by Norwegian procedural law. This typically includes the identities of both the plaintiff and the defendant, a clear and detailed description of the plaintiff's demands or claims, the legal basis for these claims, and the evidence the plaintiff intends to present. It also usually includes information about the court where the lawsuit is filed and any relevant deadlines for the defendant to respond.

Upon issuance, the stevning is formally served to the defendant. This service ensures that the defendant is aware of the legal action against them and has the opportunity to prepare a defense. The defendant's response to the stevning, often called a "tilsvar," is their formal reply to the plaintiff's claims, where they can admit, deny, or present counterarguments. The stevning thus marks the beginning of the adversarial process in a Norwegian civil court case.