Organisation of justice – judicial systems
The Danish courts system is composed of:
- The Supreme Court
- The two high courts
- The Maritime and Commercial Court
- The Land Registration Court
- 24 district courts
- The courts of the Faroe Islands and Greenland
- The Appeals Permission Board
- The Special Court of Indictment and Revision
- The Danish Judicial Appointments Council and
- The Danish Court Administration.
Administration of courts
The courts are administered by the Danish Court Administration, which was established as a new independent institution on 1st July 1999. This body ensures the proper and adequate administration of the funds, staff, buildings and IT of the courts and the Appeals Permission Board.
The Danish Court Administration is headed by a board of governors and a director. The Danish Court Administration falls under the Ministry of Justice, but the Minister has no powers of instruction and cannot change decisions made by the Danish Court Administration.
The board of governors is the chief executive and generally liable for the activities of the Danish Court Administration. The director – who is appointed and may be discharged by the board of governors – is responsible for day-to-day management. The director is not required to hold a law degree.
The Danish Court Administration Act determines the composition of the Danish Court Administration's board of governors. The board of governors has 11 members, eight of whom are court representatives, one a lawyer and two who have special management and social insights.
Legal databases
For more information, please consult the continuously updated overview and description of the Danish judicial system.