Reopening of criminal cases in Iceland
The institutional structure and conditions for reopening of court cases in Iceland have in recent years raised issues appertaining to fundamental constitutional questions on the functions and role of the judiciary and its independence. As a response to criticism of the system, changes have been made in the last few years concerning both the structure and conditions for reopening cases. In 2013, the authority to decide on applications for reopening of cases was transferred from the Supreme Court to an administrative Committee on Reopening Cases and in 2020 the Committee was replaced by a special Court on Reopening Cases. While the institutional structure has in recent years repeatedly undergone fundamental reforms, the conditions for reopening of cases have been subject to minor changes, all with the aim of enhancing such a possibility.