In a main hearing the composition of the District Court is three judges, except for family law cases, where the Court is composed of a panel of one judge and three lay members. The proceedings are as continuous as possible. Criminal procedure follows the same principles as in civil cases. The Court may ask the accused to make a plea already before the main hearing. The procedure is oral and the judgment is based on the factual circumstances that the parties have personally brought to the knowledge of the Court.
All evidence is received in the main hearing.
Again, the proceedings are as continuous as possible. The composition of the Court cannot change while the main hearing is in progress. If the Court does not reach a consensus on the judgment, a vote is taken. Each member of the panel has an individual vote. Where there is a tie, in a civil case the judge's opinion and in a criminal case the more lenient alternative prevails.