kærunefndar

Kærunefndir (singular: kærunefnd) are independent administrative appeals bodies established by Icelandic law to review decisions issued by public authorities. They provide a specialized avenue for individuals and entities to challenge administrative decisions without going to the regular courts. Each board is created by statute and has jurisdiction within the domain defined by that statute.

A typical kærunefnd handles appeals on matters such as social benefits, housing and student support, licensing and other regulatory decisions, but the exact scope varies by law. Proceedings are conducted according to the rules set out in the relevant act and can be conducted as written procedures or include oral hearings. A panel of judges or experts, guided by a chair, reviews the decision, the record, and any new evidence presented by the parties.

Decisions of a kærunefnd are binding on the authorities concerned and may be subject to further review by the courts on questions of law or procedural correctness. The boards are generally intended to provide accessible and timely resolution of disputes in administrative matters, and their decisions are usually published.

The precise structure and number of kærunefndir, as well as their procedural rules, depend on the specific legislation creating each board. Not all administrative decisions are appealable to a kærunefnd, and the right to appeal typically must be exercised within a statutory deadline.