Legal proceedings

District courts deal with civil and criminal cases, and petitions. They are processed by district judges and in some cases lay judges participate in the process. The case can be dealt with either in a session or as an office proceeding in which the decision is based only on the legal documents in the case. The court also hears witnesses. The court can give its decision immediately viva voce or later in writing.

In a civil case, the parties concerned include the plaintiff and the defendant. A civil case is instituted when the plaintiff's written application for a summons is delivered to the office of a district court. The plaintiff in a civil case has to pay a general fee to cover court proceedings.

In a criminal case, the parties concerned are the prosecutor, the accused and the victim i.e. the complainant. The court starts processing a criminal case when the prosecutor has made an application for a summons to the court.