The term "tingrett" for the district courts was introduced in 2002, replacing the previous terms city court ("byrett") and district court ("herredsrett"). Historically the district courts outside the cities were known as "sorenskriveri" (office of a "sorenskriver"), and consisted of a single (chief) district judge and often one or two assistant judges. The district usually included multiple parishes/municipalities, and the district judge was typically the highest state official within his jurisdiction, with an almost all-encompassing area of jurisdiction and an important role in the regional state administration.