title: Hammerfest District Court
text: # Hammerfest District Court
  
  Hammerfest District Court (Norwegian: Hammerfest tingrett) was a district court based in the town of Hammerfest in Troms og Finnmark county, Norway. The court served the northern part of the county which included the municipalities of Hammerfest, Hasvik, Måsøy, and Nordkapp. The court was subordinate to the Hålogaland Court of Appeal. The court was led by the chief judge (Sorenskriver) Anders Flock Bachmann. This court employed a chief judge, two other judges and three prosecutors.
  
  The court was a court of first instance. Its judicial duties were mainly to settle criminal cases and to resolve civil litigation as well as bankruptcy. The administration and registration tasks of the court included death registration, issuing certain certificates, performing duties of a notary public, and officiating civil wedding ceremonies. Cases from this court were heard by a combination of professional judges and lay judges.
  
  ## History
  
  On 26 April 2021, the court was merged with the Alta District Court to create the new Vestre Finnmark District Court. At the same time, the court's jurisdiction was enlarged by adding the municipality of Kvænangen from the Nord-Troms District Court judicial region as well.
  
  