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The conciliation board (forliksrådet): when you have a dispute with a person or a business

Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →

An unpaid bill, a tradesman who did not do the job, or a quarrel about money? Most civil disputes go to the conciliation board first. It is cheap, you do not need a lawyer, and it can both mediate and give a judgment.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

The conciliation board (forliksrådet) is a local mediation body that can also give judgments in simple cases. The aim is to resolve the dispute quickly and cheaply. According to the government, most civil disputes must go through the conciliation board before they can be taken to the district court.

Family cases and cases against public authorities do not go there. If you think NAV, the municipality or another public agency has made a mistake, see appealing municipal decisions and the Parliamentary Ombud.

Before you file

You must first notify the other party in writing of the claim and the grounds for it, and state the amount if it concerns money. Often the matter is resolved already at this stage.

How to file a conciliation claim

  • The claim is usually sent to the conciliation board in the municipality where the other party lives or has its place of business.
  • You do not need a lawyer. The claim can be submitted in writing, or orally by attending in person.
  • You must pay a court fee. See politiet.no for the current price and form.

What happens?

  1. The conciliation board first tries mediation. The meeting should be held within three months of the claim being sent.
  2. If you agree, a court settlement (rettsforlik) is written, and the case is closed.
  3. If you do not agree, the board can give a judgment if both parties consent. If the dispute is under NOK 200,000, it can give a judgment when one of the parties asks for it.
  4. The case can also be sent on, and then it can be taken to the district court.

As a rule, the losing party must pay the legal costs, including part of the other party's.

If you disagree with the judgment

A judgment from the conciliation board can be reviewed by the district court by bringing a lawsuit. According to the government, the deadline is one month.

Tip: Collect agreements, messages, receipts and photos before the meeting, and write down briefly what the case is about. If you have a low income, see free legal aid and the free legal aid services listed there.

Sources

Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.

This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.