Legal aid initiatives may receive less funding in 2027. The government proposes a NOK 35 million cut to special legal aid initiatives. Antirasistisk Senter warns of weaker protection against discrimination. As of 18 October 2026, this is a budget proposal.
What does the government propose cutting?
The cut concerns a grant scheme for special legal aid initiatives. It is not a decision to remove all publicly funded legal aid.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s budget proposal allocates around NOK 64.5 million to the scheme in 2027. Statens sivilrettsforvaltning distributes grants following applications.
The scheme is intended to provide legal assistance to vulnerable groups and people in particularly difficult circumstances. Among others, it should reach people who face a high threshold for seeking ordinary legal help.
SamfunnPrep explains the difference between support schemes in its guide to legal aid in Norway.
Why does the government consider the cut possible?
The government points out that more people can qualify for means-tested legal aid following changes introduced on 15 October 2025. It therefore believes grants can be reduced without reducing the overall service.
This is the government’s assessment of the proposal. It does not establish that every organisation or case type will retain the same service.
The same budget proposes continuing a named grant of NOK 3.4 million to Norsk organisasjon for asylsøkere, NOAS. The named NOAS grant is therefore proposed to continue.
What does Antirasistisk Senter object to?
Antirasistisk Senter says the reasoning overlooks people with discrimination cases. In a statement of 13 October 2026, the centre says such cases generally remain outside prioritised legal aid.
The centre provides assistance with discrimination at work, in housing and when dealing with public services, among other matters. It fears reduced funding will make rights harder to exercise.
This is a warning from an affected organisation, not an established consequence of an adopted budget. Read also about rights concerning workplace discrimination.
What does the debate mean for you now?
The proposal does not itself change an existing decision about legal assistance. Stortinget, Norway’s parliament, will consider the 2027 budget.
If you need help, clarify:
- whether your case qualifies for publicly funded legal aid
- whether financial conditions apply
- whether an organisation can help with your particular case
- which deadlines apply, regardless of the budget debate.
What matters in the coming months is Parliament’s decision and how grants are later distributed. The outcome is not settled as of 18 October 2026.
