Legal System of Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in northern europe, island group between the norwegian sea and the north atlantic ocean, about halfway between iceland and norway. The country achieved independence on none (self-governing overseas administrative division of denmark). The capital is Torshavn.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark Chief of State: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017) (2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022) Cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi National Holiday: Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Faroe Islands is described as the laws of Denmark apply 

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: 5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands’ constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm Amendment Process: see entry for Denmark

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Faroese Court or Raett (Rett in Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system Subordinate Courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Première Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms

Citizenship and Suffrage

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

The Faroe Islands were already populated by about A.D. 500, but whether the original settlers were Celtic or early Norse (or someone else) has yet to be determined. Viking settlers arrived on the islands in the 9th century, and the islands served as an important stepping stone for medieval Viking exploration of the North Atlantic. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century, and today the Faroe Islands are a self-governing dependency of Denmark.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Faroe Islands based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.