Norway is a unified state in which governmental power is divided between the judiciary, executive, and legislative branches, each of which are mutually independent. The executive branch is composed of the King and members of the Cabinet. Having been largely established on a national level, the Norwegian system is most like the legal systems of the other Nordic countries, particularly those of Denmark and Sweden. Norway does not have a general codification of private or public law that corresponds to the Code Civil. Norwegian courts do not attach the same weight to judicial precedents as members of the judiciary in common law countries. Neither are Norwegian courts bound by intricate rules on the admissibility of evidence; the basic rules is that all evidence is admissible. Court procedure is relatively informal and simple. There is a strong lay influence in the judicial assessment of criminal matters and, to a lesser extent, civil matters. This report's section on crime considers the classification of crime as well as crime statistics on murder, rape, larceny, and serious drug offenses. A section on crime victims addresses groups most victimized by crime, victims' assistance agencies, and the role of victims in prosecution and sentencing. A report on Norway's police describes administration, resources, technology, training and qualifications, discretion, and accountability. Other sections of the report focus on prosecutorial and judicial process, the judicial system, penalties and sentencing, prisons, and extradition and treaties. 27 references