Torstein Eckhoff
Encyclopedia
Torstein Einang Eckhoff was a Norwegian
civil servant and professor of law at the University of Oslo
.
as the son of shipmaster Trygve Eckhoff (1884–1957) and his wife Sigrid Einang (1886–1971). He was a brother of designer Mathias Gerrard Eckhoff, a second cousin of jurist Ernst Fredrik Eckhoff
and actor Johannes Eckhoff
, and a grandnephew of architect Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff
. In 1941 he married psychologist Eva Bergliot Råness (1921–1991).
his secondary education in 1934, and enrolled in law studies at the University of Oslo
. He graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1938, and worked as a deputy judge in Senja
until 1940. He then became a lecturer of law, and released several books during World War II. His 1945 book Rettskraft earned him the dr.juris degree in 1947. In 1945 he was hired in the Ministry of Justice and the Police
, where he was promoted to assistant secretary after one year. He spent a period from 1947 to 1948 in the United States
; this resulted in the book Rettsvesen og rettsvitenskap i USA (1953).
In 1953 he left the Ministry of Justice, being appointed as a lecturer at the University of Oslo
. He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
from 1955, and was promoted to professor of jurisprudence in 1957. He retired in 1986. Among the books he wrote are Rettskildelære (1971) and Forvaltningsrett (1978). The latter has since his death been updated and edited by Eivind Smith
, while the former is taken care of by Jan E. Helgesen. Both books are still important parts of the curriculum at the University of Oslo. Eckhoff was also known for cooperating with law sociologist
Vilhelm Aubert
and philosopher of law Nils Kristian Sundby. He held honorary degree
s at the University of Bergen
, the Stockholm University
and Turku University
, and a festschrift
was issued for his seventieth birthday.
Regarded as Norway's leading authority on European Community law, Eckhoff was known for his work outside of academica as an opponent of Norwegian membership in the community, later the European Union
. He referred to the European Economic Area
agreement as "a constitutional catastrophe", and played an important role in the debate leading up to the Norwegian rejection in the Norwegian European Union membership referendum of 1994. However, he did not live to see the result as he died in April 1993 in Copenhagen
.
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
civil servant and professor of law at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
.
Personal life
He was born in Vestre SlidreVestre Slidre
Vestre Slidre is a municipality in Oppland county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Valdres. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Slidre...
as the son of shipmaster Trygve Eckhoff (1884–1957) and his wife Sigrid Einang (1886–1971). He was a brother of designer Mathias Gerrard Eckhoff, a second cousin of jurist Ernst Fredrik Eckhoff
Ernst Fredrik Eckhoff
Ernst Fredrik Eckhoff was a Norwegian judge.He was born in 1905 as a son of jurist Nicolay Kristian Schreuder Eckhoff . He was a second cousin of legal academic Torstein Eckhoff, designer Tias Eckhoff and actor Johannes Eckhoff, and a grandnephew of architect Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff. He was...
and actor Johannes Eckhoff
Johannes Eckhoff
Johannes Eckhoff was a Norwegian actor. He made his stage debut at Trøndelag Teater in 1939, and has later worked for Centralteatret, Det Nye Teater and Riksteatret. He participated in the film Englandsfarere in 1946, and in Kampen om tungtvannet from 1948...
, and a grandnephew of architect Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff
Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff
Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff was a Norwegian architect.He was born in Throndhjem as the son of Christian Martin Eckhoff and his wife Nicoline Johanne Luytkis. He married Nicoline Otilie Eckhoff in July 1869; the couple had several children...
. In 1941 he married psychologist Eva Bergliot Råness (1921–1991).
Career
Eckhoff finishedExamen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
his secondary education in 1934, and enrolled in law studies at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1938, and worked as a deputy judge in Senja
Senja
Senja is the second largest island in Norway . It is located along the Troms county coastline with Finnsnes as the closest town. Senja is connected to the mainland by the Gisund Bridge. The municipalities located on Senja are Lenvik , Berg, Torsken, and Tranøy...
until 1940. He then became a lecturer of law, and released several books during World War II. His 1945 book Rettskraft earned him the dr.juris degree in 1947. In 1945 he was hired in the Ministry of Justice and the Police
Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police is a Norwegian government ministry in charge of justice, police and domestic intelligence. The main purpose of the Ministry is to provide for the maintenance and development of the basic guarantees of the rule of law...
, where he was promoted to assistant secretary after one year. He spent a period from 1947 to 1948 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; this resulted in the book Rettsvesen og rettsvitenskap i USA (1953).
In 1953 he left the Ministry of Justice, being appointed as a lecturer at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters is a learned society based in Oslo, Norway.-History:The University of Oslo was established in 1811. The idea of a learned society in Christiania surfaced for the first time in 1841. The city of Throndhjem had no university, but had a learned...
from 1955, and was promoted to professor of jurisprudence in 1957. He retired in 1986. Among the books he wrote are Rettskildelære (1971) and Forvaltningsrett (1978). The latter has since his death been updated and edited by Eivind Smith
Eivind Smith
Eivind Smith is a Norwegian lawyer and professor of law.He was born in Bærum, and took the dr.juris degree in 1979. He works at the Faculty of Law at the University of Oslo, where he has been a professor since 1986. He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.He has published a...
, while the former is taken care of by Jan E. Helgesen. Both books are still important parts of the curriculum at the University of Oslo. Eckhoff was also known for cooperating with law sociologist
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
Vilhelm Aubert
Vilhelm Aubert
Johan Vilhelm Aubert was an influential Norwegian sociologist. He was a professor at the University of Oslo from 1963 to his death, first at the Department of the Sociology of Law and then at the Department of the Sociology of Law...
and philosopher of law Nils Kristian Sundby. He held honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
s at the University of Bergen
University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is located in Bergen, Norway. Although founded as late as 1946, academic activity had taken place at Bergen Museum as far back as 1825. The university today serves more than 14,500 students...
, the Stockholm University
Stockholm University
Stockholm University is a state university in Stockholm, Sweden. It has over 28,000 students at four faculties, making it one of the largest universities in Scandinavia. The institution is also frequently regarded as one of the top 100 universities in the world...
and Turku University
Turku University
Turku University may refer to:* Åbo Akademi University* The Royal Academy of Turku* Turku School of Economics* Turku University of Applied Sciences* The University of Turku...
, and a festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
was issued for his seventieth birthday.
Regarded as Norway's leading authority on European Community law, Eckhoff was known for his work outside of academica as an opponent of Norwegian membership in the community, later the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
. He referred to the European Economic Area
European Economic Area
The European Economic Area was established on 1 January 1994 following an agreement between the member states of the European Free Trade Association and the European Community, later the European Union . Specifically, it allows Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway to participate in the EU's Internal...
agreement as "a constitutional catastrophe", and played an important role in the debate leading up to the Norwegian rejection in the Norwegian European Union membership referendum of 1994. However, he did not live to see the result as he died in April 1993 in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
.