A prominent reindeer herding lawyer has received sharp criticism from a Norwegian court for lacking basic legal knowledge in a case involving damaged strawberry plants. The Vest-Finnmark District Court ruled that Jon-Andreas Lange, known for his work on high-profile reindeer cases, demonstrated insufficient understanding of laws governing reindeer husbandry.
The dispute began when reindeer entered a residential area in Hammerfest and consumed strawberry plants belonging to a local resident. The gardener sought compensation through the local mediation board, which awarded him 4,943 kroner for the destroyed plants and related damages.
Reindeer owners rejected the settlement and took the case to district court, arguing they wanted a thorough legal review of principles that might affect future cases. The court initially sided with the gardener and attempted to keep proceedings simple.
Then lawyer Lange intervened weeks later, arguing the mediation board lacked authority to handle such cases under reindeer husbandry laws. The court agreed the mediation board should have dismissed the case, but criticized the reindeer district for pursuing unnecessary legal action against a decision that had no legal effect.
Judge Jon Arild Strand wrote that neither the plaintiff nor their legal representative had sufficient knowledge of central legislation in reindeer law. The court noted the reindeer district had no real need to have the claim decided, as the original decision was legally void.
Lange had demanded 118,625 kroner for his work on the case, billing at 2,600 kroner per hour. The court rejected every krone of his fee request. Reindeer owners must now cover their own legal costs because they lost the case.
The gardener told reporters he considered the matter simple and closed. He expressed surprise at receiving a 77-page legal document from the reindeer district's lawyer. The man said it appeared they were trying to intimidate the opposing party with excessive legal paperwork.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between reindeer herding traditions and urban development in northern Norway. Hammerfest residents have long struggled with reindeer entering residential areas despite fencing attempts. The incident raises questions about legal representation in specialized agricultural sectors and whether lawyers adequately understand niche regulatory frameworks.
The court specifically noted that the reindeer district should have known the rules about compensation claims and case processing under reindeer husbandry laws. Judges emphasized that proper notification to the gardener before filing the lawsuit would have prevented the entire legal proceeding.
Norwegian reindeer law represents a unique legal framework balancing indigenous Sami rights with modern property regulations. This strawberry case demonstrates how specialized knowledge remains essential for lawyers operating in this field. The ruling serves as a warning to legal professionals that courts will scrutinize both the necessity of cases and the competence of representation.
The reindeer district has until the end of November to decide whether to appeal the ruling. Their lawyer has not responded to multiple requests for comment since the October 30 verdict.