siðalög

siðalög is a term used in Icelandic law to refer to ethical regulations or professional codes of conduct applicable to various professions. These are not typically statutory laws enacted by the Althing (the Icelandic parliament) but rather rules and guidelines established by professional organizations or bodies governing specific trades and services. The purpose of siðalög is to ensure that professionals uphold certain standards of integrity, competence, and responsibility in their work, thereby protecting the public interest and maintaining the reputation of the profession.

These ethical codes can cover a wide range of issues, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, professional development, and appropriate conduct towards clients, colleagues, and the general public. For instance, lawyers, doctors, journalists, and engineers in Iceland are often bound by their respective professional associations' siðalög. Adherence to these codes is usually a prerequisite for maintaining a professional license or membership in these organizations. While breaches of siðalög may not always lead to legal prosecution in the criminal or civil sense, they can result in disciplinary actions by the professional body, such as reprimands, suspension, or even expulsion from the profession. The concept reflects a broader societal expectation that professionals will conduct themselves ethically and with due care in their practice.