Supreme Court to Address Discrimination in Lay Judge Eligibility

The Supreme Court of Norway is set to hear a case concerning the eligibility of a blind individual to serve as a lay judge. The case will examine whether excluding a blind person from the judge panel constitutes discrimination under anti-discrimination laws.

The central question is whether visual impairment affects the ability to fulfill the duties of a lay judge and if exclusion based on blindness violates principles of equality and non-discrimination.

The hearing is scheduled for March 19, 2026, and its outcome could have significant implications for the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in judicial roles.