Fiches Belges: La Norvège

Is this measure possible in your Member State under International Judicial Cooperation?

Yes. A witness under the age of 18 is in the law considered to be a “child”, and their parents/guardians are to be notified that he is summoned as a witness. If the witness is under the age of 14 the parents/guardians are to be summoned on behalf of the witness, and they are responsible that the witness turns up. The law stipulates special procedures for witnesses under the age of 16. The child is to be taken to a specially arranged location were a police officer who is trained for the purpose of taking statement from children will execute the hearing. The child have a lawyer and a trustee representing during the hearing, and also a judge, prosecutor and defence lawyer will be observing the hearing on video-conference. The hearing will be recorded and may be played later on during the case in court.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

The Convention of 20 April 1959 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Convention of 29 May 2000 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union.

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

The letter of request has to be sent to the local public prosecutor's office of the geographical area where the investigating measure has to be executed. If this area is not known, the letter of request has to be sent to the ministry of Justice

* execute/recognise the measure (if other than the receiving authority)

See 705 nr. 1

Accepted languages for the request/decision

Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and English

Deadlines for the execution of the request/decision (where applicable)

No legal deadlines.

a. Special requirements

N/A

b. Other useful information

N/A