Law of Iceland


Law of Iceland during the Commonwealth was decided by the Althing. It has changed over the years but the legislative body is still called Althing.

History

Prior to 1262 the law-code was Grágás.
Following the Gamli sáttmáli, Magnus VI of Norway introduced the law-code Járnsíða, which was itself superseded when existing laws were compiled in the Jónsbók by Jón Einarsson.
The Althing was suspended in 1799, and re-established in 1845 as an advisory body of the Danish king and from 1874 as a legislative body.
The legislative body of the modern Republic of Iceland is again known as Althing.

Uses of old laws

Old laws are still quoted, the 13th century law of Grágás was used in a case in 2017 regarding an injury caused during a friendly fight.