dómari

Dómari is an Icelandic noun meaning judge or referee. The term is used primarily to designate a person who makes decisions in a legal setting, but it is also employed for an official who enforces rules in sports. The word stems from Old Norse dómr, meaning judgment or decree, with the suffix -ari to form an agent noun (a person who performs the action).

In the legal context, a dómari is a judge within the Icelandic court system. A dómari presides over hearings, applies the law, assesses evidence, and issues judgments or rulings. Judges may serve in various levels of courts, including district courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. The role emphasizes impartial application of law, procedural fairness, and the delivery of legally reasoned decisions. Courts may involve professional judges who are career jurists, and in some proceedings, lay right-hand judges or other forms of judicial participation complement the process.

In sports and other competitive settings, the term dómari refers to a referee or umpire. In this sense, a dómari enforces the rules of the game, starts and stops play, keeps time, and issues penalties or warnings to players. The exact responsibilities vary by sport, but the core function is the same: to ensure fair play and orderly conduct of the competition.

The plural form is dómarar, and the feminine form is rare in common usage. The word remains a stable part of Icelandic legal and sporting vocabulary, reflecting the broad concept of judgment and decision-making across domains.