Iceland proposes two new judges for Court of Appeal

Iceland's Minister of Justice, Þorbjörg S. Gunnlaugsdóttir, has proposed the appointment of two new judges to the Court of Appeal (Landsréttur). Eiríkur Elís Þorláksson is recommended for the position starting September 1, 2026, while Hildur Briem is proposed to take up her role from October 5, 2026.

Eiríkur Elís Þorláksson, who has been serving as an acting judge at the Court of Appeal since January 5, 2026, holds a law degree from the University of Iceland and an LL.M. from King's College London. His career includes work at a law firm, a professorship at Reykjavík University's law department, and roles as a division head. He has also authored legal textbooks and numerous academic articles, and served on various company boards and arbitration tribunals.

Hildur Briem, a district court judge at the Reykjavík District Court since 2018, earned her law degree from the University of Iceland and an LL.M. from Lund University. Her judicial career began as an assistant judge at the East Iceland District Court in 2008, followed by her appointment as a district court judge and chief justice there in 2011. She has also served as an acting judge at the Court of Appeal and as a substitute judge at the Supreme Court. Briem has lectured in administrative law and served on several judicial and appeal committees.

Both candidates bring substantial legal and judicial experience to the proposed appointments, reflecting the ongoing development and staffing of Iceland's judicial system.