Transformation in the Justice System
Dómsmálaráðuneytið’s Justice Portal is a groundbreaking system that has simplified and digitized the exchange of communication and data between parties and institutions within Iceland’s justice system. Paper documents once transported in suitcases between offices will soon be a thing of the past.
The Ministry of Justice has led the project and, since 2020, has worked on it in collaboration with Kolibri, the Court Administration, the prosecution authorities, the police, the Icelandic Prison and Probation Administration, and the Icelandic Bar Association.
Recently, the largest phase of the Justice Portal to date was launched. The new addition is called Digital Service of Process and includes the digital delivery of indictments, electronic court summonses, and the digital publication of judgments on Ísland.is. The concept for the solution had existed for quite some time, but legislative amendments were required before it became possible to implement the process digitally.
Changing Times, More Efficient Paths Forward
Before the introduction of digital service of process, the police had to review indictments and judgments manually, register information across different systems — sometimes more than one — and finally distribute case information to designated process servers. These process servers then had to locate the individual in question and physically deliver the indictment, summons, or judgment on paper. In some cases, they even had to track individuals down to verify that the service had actually taken place, as this was previously the only legally valid method for serving such documents.
With the introduction of digital service of process, manual work has been significantly reduced and the transportation of physical documents is rapidly declining. Information is now accessible in real time, giving both the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions far greater oversight and enabling them to monitor the progress of service procedures across the entire country.
Adoption has exceeded all expectations. Nearly 80% of individuals retrieve their documents directly from their digital inbox, clearly demonstrating how effective the solution is in practice.
Usage has surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. Nearly 80% of individuals now retrieve the data directly from their Ísland.is inbox, clearly indicating that the solution is being effectively used in practice. We are very proud of this new system, which substantially streamlines the work of the police and the judiciary. At the same time, it enhances service quality and accessibility for those involved, making the entire process faster and more efficient.
- Guðlaug Dröfn Þórhallsdóttir, dómsmálaráðuneytið
A Self-Service Solution on Ísland.is
Digital service of process is a self-service solution for individuals (referred to as defendants) who need to receive an indictment, a court summons, or a judgment after a case concludes. The solution works by delivering all relevant information directly to the defendant’s inbox on Ísland.is. Through their personal pages on the platform, defendants can review the indictment and/or judgment and respond if necessary. All information and actions are therefore centralized in one secure, authenticated location within the defendant’s account on Ísland.is.
Part of the service was launched in 2024, with additional updates introduced at the end of 2025. Usage and user experience have exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. In the short time since the launch of digital service of process, nearly 80% of court summonses have been delivered through the system, and more than 70% of judgments have been served digitally to individuals. The benefits are expected to increase substantially throughout 2026, as an even larger share of indictments, summonses, and judgments will be delivered through Ísland.is.
The reality is that the number of cases continues to grow year by year, making it increasingly important to develop more efficient workflows through digital solutions. A clear benefit for Icelandic society as a whole.