Courts of law have the duty and obligation to reach a decision in all the individual cases brought before them.
In order for a case to be processed the concerned parties must bring the issue to court if the case is to be heard. The Courts of Justice can never commence a case on their own initiative.

Criminal cases
All common criminal cases commence in the District Courts which are termed 'first instance' courts of law. When the court of law pronounces a conviction or guilty verdict, this act expresses society's opinion that a law has been broken which requires punishment. The Constitution states that only a court of law has the authority or right to impose punishment on a lawbreaker.

Civil Cases
A civil case is a dispute between two or more parties who cannot agree which side has the correct interpretation of civil law regarding their rights. Disputes cover a wide range of issues: arguments over land boundaries, economic disputes, complaints against the civil service, and claims for libel and defamation.

Other duties
Other duties carried out by the Courts of Justice include: land registration, probate cases, estate settlements, (joint property, bankruptcy etc.) enforcement cases, partnership registrations, and notarial transactions.

Land Registration
The registration of Real Estate is performed by the district stipendiary magistrate in rural areas, by the town clerk in urban districts or by the city court or by a stipendiary magistrate in the larger cities. Marriage certificates and liabilities on moveable property are registered with the Brønnøysund. Land registration implies the registration of rights and duties concerning real estate, for example: legal terms of ownership, mortgage encumbrances, first options and rights of way. Stortinget has decided that Statens kartverk shall have the responsibility for land registration. But the change will take place over some years. In 2008 Statens kartverk will have this registration for all communes. Meanwhile the responsibility is divided. Whether it is the District court or Statens kartverk who has the responsibility for your commune, you can find out at www.tinglysing.no

Probate Courts
Public probate cases are handled by the District Courts acting as probate courts dealing with bankuptcy, willed estates, and probate proceedings concerning joint property rights of married couples. The hearings in probate courts are presided over by a probate judge. Parties have to be summoned to the hearings.

Notary Public
The District Courts are appointed to carry out the functions of a Notary Public. Notarial transactions often include the verification of signatures and of photocopies as well as the verification of specific information taken from the Companies Register. The Notary Public also performs civil weddings and registers partnership agreements.