Landsdómur
Encyclopedia
The Landsdómur is a special court in Iceland
which was established in 1905 with the mandate to handle cases where members of the Cabinet
are suspected of criminal behavior.
The Landsdómur has 15 members — five supreme court
justices, a district court president, a constitutional law professor and eight people chosen by parliament every six years.
The court will be assembled for the first time to prosecute former Prime Minister
Geir Haarde
for alleged gross misconduct in the events leading up to the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis. The Althing
decided on September 28, 2010 with 33 votes against 30 to charge Haarde.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
which was established in 1905 with the mandate to handle cases where members of the Cabinet
Cabinet of Iceland
The Cabinet of Iceland is the chief executive body of the Republic of Iceland. It consists of the Prime Minister of Iceland and the cabinet ministers....
are suspected of criminal behavior.
The Landsdómur has 15 members — five supreme court
Supreme Court of Iceland
The Supreme Court of Iceland holds the highest judicial power in Iceland. It is the oldest court of law in Iceland and the higher of the two court branches, while the District Courts of Iceland are the lower. Nine judges sit in the court and hold command over the President of Iceland in accordance...
justices, a district court president, a constitutional law professor and eight people chosen by parliament every six years.
The court will be assembled for the first time to prosecute former Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Iceland
The Prime Minister of Iceland is Iceland's head of government. The prime minister is appointed formally by the President and exercises executive authority along with the cabinet subject to parliamentary support....
Geir Haarde
Geir Haarde
Geir Hilmar Haarde was Prime Minister of Iceland from 15 June 2006 to 1 February 2009 and Chairman of the Icelandic Independence Party from 2005 to 2009. Geir initially led a coalition between his party and the Progressive Party...
for alleged gross misconduct in the events leading up to the 2008 Icelandic financial crisis. The Althing
Althing
The Alþingi, anglicised variously as Althing or Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. The Althingi is the oldest parliamentary institution in the world still extant...
decided on September 28, 2010 with 33 votes against 30 to charge Haarde.