15.1

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Outline of the Norwegian legal system

15.1.1 The constitutional structure of Norway

Since 1814, Norway has formally been a constitutional monarchy. The Norwegian Constitution, adopted by the Norwegian parliament on 17 May 1814, is based on the principle of division of powers between three branches. Even though the executive power resides with the monarch under the Constitution, the monarch has no actual power. Since 1880, all executive power has been held by the Government (Regjeringen), and the legislative power has resided with the Parliament (Stortinget). The judicial power has rested with the Norwegian courts since the adoption of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814.