The Norwegian Finnmark Act 2005 aims to initiate a process for surveying and recognising land rights of areas previously considered to be state-owned. This clarification of land rights involves two separate bodies: the Finnmark Commission to investigate and conclude fields, and a land tribunal to settle disputes arising from hearings by the Finnmark Commission. Together they constitute a unified system to effectuate the trial process.

In connection with the Finnmark Commission’s regulations, it is stated that it is an aim to investigate the legal situation in the whole county within a reasonable time. Fair trial within a reasonable time is a human right enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 (ECHR) article 6(1). The issue to be addressed in this paper is whether the legal clarification process conducted by the Finnmark Commission is subject to the rules of trial within a reasonable time, and if so, to examine how best to prevent these processes from coming into conflict with ECHR 1950 article 6(1).

Keywords: Finnmark Act; Reasonable Time; ECHR; Finnmark Commission; Indigenous People.