The significance of legislation

The function of legislation in our society is to regulate a vast array of different issues, and to determine how both individual citizens and public bodies ought to act in various situations. Legislation is also sometimes used to solve disputes or disagreements that may arise between individuals, e.g. disputes about sales contracts.

In other cases, the laws identify what society will not countenance, i.e. what is considered a crime, what will happen if you commit such an offence, and what punishments may be imposed. Last but not least, legislation regulates basic social rules, i.e. how a country is governed and who decides upon its laws.

Why co-operate?

The Nordic countries have worked together on various legislation projects for more than a century. One influential factor in this co-operation is the “Nordic Law Meeting”, which was held for the first time in 1870 and then every third year ever since.

As a result of joint legislation projects, Nordic co-operation in the early 20th century led to the passing of similar laws throughout the Region on, for example, sales and contract law, certain parts of which remain on the statute book to this day.

Several major joint Nordic legislation projects were subsequently implemented during the 20th century. However, the similarities between the laws in the Nordic Region have as a rule come about without the need for conventions to enforce them. This has been a characteristic feature of the Nordic co-operation in this field.

The Nordic countries have a long-standing tradition of working together on legislative issues or allowing themselves be influenced by each other's laws and jurisprudence. Our societies have always faced similar problems, and it is therefore natural to work together to solve them. This enables us to learn from each other how best to resolve certain legal issues. Similar rules also facilitate trade between the countries.

Contemporary co-operation

Contemporary co-operation is based on the 1962 Nordic co-operation agreement known as the Helsinki Treaty. The preamble to the treaty states that the Nordic countries will strive towards uniform rules in the Nordic Region in as many respects as possible.

Taking this principle as its starting point, Nordic legal co-operation is designed to secure the greatest possible similarity in civil (private) law (article 4), and uniform regulations for crime and its consequences (article 5), as well as in any other legislation that is considered appropriate (article 6).

However, the current co-operation is not only directed towards purely legislative issues, but also other areas in the justice sector – e.g. co-operation and the sharing of information on issues affecting the police, prosecution and court services. Nordic co-operation is also ongoing in criminology and the care of offenders. Last but not least, the Nordic countries co-operate on EU/EEA questions.

Within the framework of this activity, joint evaluation projects are conducted by expert committees and working groups.

The Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Legislative Issues (EK-LOV) also funds a variety of projects.

International co-operation

The Nordic Region also co-operates with the Baltic States in the justice sector, through, for example, joint meetings between the Nordic and Baltic ministers of justice and senior civil servants.

Similarly, regular meetings are held between parliamentarians on the Nordic Council and the Baltic Assembly. Various initiatives are implemented within the framework of this activity, including seminars and conferences.