forliksrådet

Forliksrådet, translating to conciliation or mediation board, is a public body within the civil justice systems of Denmark and Norway designed to help disputing parties reach a settlement without full court proceedings. It handles civil disputes between private individuals and small businesses, such as debt, contracts, tenancy, and other non-criminal claims, with the aim of providing a faster, cheaper alternative to a trial.

The process is typically informal. A case is brought to the local Forliksrådet, which arranges a mediation hearing where parties and their representatives present their positions. A neutral conciliator guides discussions and seeks to facilitate an agreement. If the parties reach a settlement, they sign a forlig (settlement) that becomes legally binding, and may be enforced as a court judgment. If no settlement is reached, the case can proceed to the regular district court for adjudication.

The board is usually composed of a chair—often a judge or court administrator—and two lay members representing local or consumer interests. Its proceedings are designed to be accessible and less formal than full court hearings, reflecting the goal of broad access to justice and reducing the burden on the judiciary.

Decisions resulting from a forliksrådet settlement are binding, with subsequent enforcement possible through the ordinary court system. In many cases, if no agreement is achieved, the matter proceeds to the district court for trial. The institution thus operates as an accessible first step in civil dispute resolution, emphasizing mediation and settlement over litigation.