Legal System of Greenland

Greenland is located in North America. It is geographically situated in northern north america, island between the arctic ocean and the north atlantic ocean, northeast of canada. The country achieved independence on none (extensive self-rule as part of the kingdom of denmark). The capital is Nuuk.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut) Chief of State: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE (since May 2022) (2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jens-Frederik NIELSEN (since 28 March 2025) Cabinet: Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut) Administrative Divisions: 5 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq National Holiday: National Day, June 21 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Greenland is described as denmark’s laws apply in some areas, and Greenland’s law for the remainder

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act)

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors) Judge Selection: judges appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70 Subordinate Courts: Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates’ courts

Legislative Branch

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

Citizenship and Suffrage

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is about 80% ice capped. The Inuit came to Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century.  Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas.

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