Norway, on the westernmost tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula, allows voluntary depositions of willing witnesses, regardless of the witness’ nationality. Norway is famous for long winter nights and seemingly endless summer days, breathtaking fjords, fishy cuisine, and, of course, Vikings. Norway’s official name is the Kingdom of Norway, which until just over 100 years ago, included Greenland and Iceland.
As a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, Norway permits voluntary depositions of willing witnesses in civil and commercial matters; however, prior permission must be obtained from the Norwegian Central Authority. This permission should be requested at least 4 weeks before the desired deposition date. The U.S. Embassy will request permission for a U.S. citizen. Norway’s ease when it comes to scheduling depositions makes it an ideal location for deposing a Dane, incidentally, as nearby Denmark does not generally grant permission to take depositions.
Once it has been determined that Norway will host your depositions, some points to consider include the following:
- Oslo, Norway’s capital, has been ranked first in large European cities for quality of life – meaning it is a charming, convenient, and of course, expensive host.
- If only scheduling 1 or 2 days of depositions, consider attending remotely – this saves time, cost, and is easily facilitated with the help of a best-in-class court reporting agency.
- If attending in person, you are in luck, as Norway does not require a visa for stays of 90 days or fewer. Do be sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months past your return date (as always recommended when traveling internationally), and have at least 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
Norway is a truly spectacular country to visit, offering the best in nature, with breathtaking fjords, lakes, and forests, as well as a spectrum of museums (Viking history! Art!), music, and fine dining. English is widely spoken, and Norwegians are a friendly if not overly chatty people. In fact, it is highly likely your Norwegian witness will not need an interpreter, but if that isn’t the case, there are several qualified interpreters with legal experience in Norway. Working with a reporting agency with reporters and videographers living throughout Europe saves your client on travel expenses. It also gives you valuable intel into how to best use your free time in Norway!
For more information on depositions in Norway or throughout Europe, contact our International team at 888-433-3767, or via email at international@planetdepos.com.
