Such a request is referred to as a “letter of request” and may concern, for example, service of documents, assistance in the examination of witnesses, DNA sampling, search and seizure, transmission of documents or other evidence.

General provisions on letters of request are set out, inter alia, in Sections 46–51 of the Courts of Justice Act. The more detailed legal basis is provided in various statutes and regulations, and differs between civil and criminal matters.

Nordic Cooperation

Within the Nordic region, the Agreement of 26 April 1974 between Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden applies. The Agreement covers both civil and criminal matters. The Nordic Agreement simplifies the procedure for transmitting letters of request and contains rules regarding the languages that may be used.

Criminal Matters

Norway is party to several conventions and agreements on mutual cooperation in criminal matters. The European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959 and its two Additional Protocols are central instruments in this field. Norway has also acceded to the Schengen Convention of 19 June 1990 and the Convention of 29 May 2000 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union. These conventions contain provisions on the direct transmission of letters of request and certain forms of judicial cooperation, such as hearings by video and telephone conference, interception of telecommunications, and monitoring of financial transactions. In addition, Norway is a party to several UN conventions on mutual cooperation in criminal matters.

As of 1 January 2026, the Director of Public Prosecutions shall assume the functions of the Norwegian Central Authority under the Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959, the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime of 23 November 2001 (the Budapest Convention), the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of 15 November 2000 (UNTOC), the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 20 December 1988, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption of 31 October 2003 (UNCAC).

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security shall remain the competent authority for handling letters of request in criminal matters transmitted pursuant to other conventions and agreements, as well as requests transmitted outside the framework of any convention. The Ministry also retains legislative and convention-related responsibility for the Extradition Act, the Criminal Procedure Act, and the Courts of Justice Act, together with the associated regulations and the five aforementioned conventions.

For further information on letters of request in criminal matters, the Ministry has made a circular (G-19/2001), only in Norwegian. Please also see the Regulation on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters of 14 December 2012.

Civil Matters

Norway has acceded to several conventions and agreements regulating letters of request in civil matters. The most important conventions are the Hague Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (Hague Convention 1965) and the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (Hague Convention 1970).

The Norwegian Civil Affairs Authority is designated as the Central Authority and is therefore responsible for handling letters of request transmitted pursuant to the Hague Convention 1965 and the Hague Convention 1970.

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security shall remain the competent authority for handling letters of request in civil matters transmitted pursuant to other conventions and agreements, as well as requests transmitted outside the framework of any convention. The Ministry also retains legislative and convention-related responsibility for the Courts of Justice Act, together with the associated regulations and the aforementioned conventions.

For further information on letters of request in civil matters, the Ministry has made a circular G-02/2022 (only in Norwegian).

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