ABSTRACT
The Danish court system is organized in three levels with a Supreme Court, two national courts, and 24 district courts. District courts hear criminal, civil, enforcement, probate and bankruptcy cases. Notarial acts also fall within the jurisdiction of district courts. There is also a specialized court for Sea and Trade, as well as institutions that handle judge appointments and grant access to the Supreme Court. This system of three levels is formally only hierarchical in the sense at the higher levels function as appeals to verdicts from lower level courts, to ensure a common interpretation of applicable law. The logic is that lower level courts adjust their practice according to this. The point of departure is that all cases are handled by two chambers, e.g. district court and national court. Certain smaller cases are only handled by the district courts with no option for appeal. District courts can refer civil cases for processing in the national courts if they have principal interest for others than the involved parties.
