Nordic Legal Mind

Abstract

In the following, peculiarities of the Nordic legal systems and legal thinking, are discussed. Common features of the legal systems are based both on history (on a certain historical delay in comparison to many other European countries) and legal cooperation. The active legal cooperation, started in the 1870s, not only has a long history. It has also achieved many concrete results, common legal norms as an example. Often, Nordic peculiarities of legal thinking are described by using such expressions as pragmatism, realism, absence of formality, transparency and equality. These values have also been cornerstones of the Nordic cooperation. They also explain a certain reluctance towards trends and policies within the EU. Even today, Nordic lawyers prioritise flexibility in law-making (with discrete acts) above creating a codified private law system (with a civil code).