The reason for this is complicated and can be due to the fact that a court case is expensive if the claimant does not receive free legal aid. In addition, very high demands are made regarding the presentation of evidence and those responsible at the school are often unwilling to admit guilt. Even when the court reaches the decision that bullying has occurred, the local authority, as owner of the school, is not deemed liable to pay damages.
Karin Rornes (Lecturer at Faculty of Education, Tromso University College) who is a member of the National working group in Norway for SBV, provides by this paper an example from the court. She calls the case Lena’s story and tells what happens when the after-effects of bullying constitute a claim for compensation in the court. Lena decides to go to court against the local authority, as owner of the school, because she considered she has the right to compensation and reparation as a result of the bullying at school.
Lena´s story (pdf)