retsmøde

Retsmøde is a term in the Danish legal system referring to a court sitting or session during which a case before the court is addressed. The term is used primarily in criminal proceedings but can also appear in civil matters. A retsmøde is a formal step in the procedural process and is held in a courtroom before a judge, with participation by other involved parties as applicable.

Retsmøde can occur at different stages. In criminal cases, there may be a forberedende retsmøde (preparatory hearing) to organize the case, decide on procedural questions, and set a timetable, as well as decisions on bail or access to evidence. The term is also used for the ordinary court session where the case is further considered, up to and including the main hearing (hovedforhandling), which is the substantive trial.

During a retsmøde, the court may read the charges, hear pleas from the defendant and defense counsel, and discuss or decide on procedural matters such as evidence, witness lists, and deadlines. The session can result in rulings on adjournments or in preparation for the main hearing. In many cases, the retsmøde is open to the public, though certain issues may be subject to confidentiality or restricted access. The court minutes record what is decided and the next steps in the case.

Participants typically include the judge, a court clerk, the prosecutor, the defendant and defense counsel, and, where relevant, witnesses or victims. The retsmøde is a standard component of Danish criminal procedure and helps ensure orderly case progression, protect procedural rights, and establish a timetable for subsequent proceedings. The term literally means a “court meeting.”