Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Maritime and transport in Iceland

Lex Law Offices

Lex Law Offices's long-established team offers comprehensive coverage of shipping and the transport of goods, with areas of expertise including contracts of carriage, sea way bills, shipbuilding contracts, and sale and purchase agreements. Major shipping company Samskip is a long-term client of the firm, receiving advice on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious mandates. Team lead Lilja Jónasdóttir, praised by clients for her 'experienced know-how', is a specialist in the practice area with supplementary knowledge of insurance and tort law. Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir made partner in January 2023 and advises both domestic and foreign companies on maritime and shipping law.

Practice head(s):

Lilja Jónasdóttir


Other key lawyers:

Birgir Már Björnsson; Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir


Testimonials

‘Lilja Jónasdóttir has it all. Experienced know-how in her profession. Quick in responding, fast to get situation overview, easy to reach at all times, well-connected with the local environment and authorities. Good communicator with everyone at all times.’

‘I am happy to be able to say that in my opinion they are the best in Iceland in all areas but especially in maritime law, particularly Lilja Jónasdóttir.’

Key clients

Samskip hf.


Samherji hf.


Jonar Transport ehf.


SKULD


Síldarvinnslan hf.


Codan Forsikring


Skinney-Þinganes hf.


Gjögur hf.


Sjóvá Almennar Insurance


Íslandsbanki hf.


Nesskip


Work highlights


  • Assisting SKULD, the P&I club, and owners with all aspects regarding the Wilson Skaw, which stranded at Húnaflói in Iceland on 18th April 2023.
  • Acted as adviser to buyers on a takeover bid for a large fisheries company in Iceland.
  • Represented Sjóvá-Almennar Insurance in a dispute on the statute of limitation of claims made by sailors in special accident insurance.

LOGOS

LOGOS fields a team with 'exceptional knowledge and experience', which is active across the full spectrum of transport matters. The considerable shipping and maritime expertise of the department is bolstered by coverage of aviation and aircraft finance matters, with the group regularly acting for airlines, aircraft owners and banks. The group is jointly led by Einar Baldvin Axelsson and Erlendur Gíslason; Axelsson is certified as a real estate and vessel broker, and acts as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Icelandic Maritime Law Association, while Gíslason leads on aviation matters, and is a qualified Supreme Court Attorney. Fannar Freyr Ívarsson made partner in January 2023 and specialises in aircraft finance work.

Practice head(s):

Einar Baldvin Axelsson; Erlendur Gíslason


Other key lawyers:

Fannar Freyr Ívarsson


Testimonials

‘Exceptional knowledge and experience in legal services on a broad basis.’

‘Einar Baldvin Axelsson is by far the best maritime lawyer in Iceland, has a lot of experience and knowledge of the Icelandic maritime code and has played a big role in designing applicable terms and conditions used in shipping and insurance in Iceland. Great solicitor, well liked and appreciated in the business.’

‘The practice offers a wide range of services covering most requirements needed by our company. The practice has a long and reliable history of practice.’

‘The practice has services and individuals with extensive experience and specialising in maritime and transport law, and we evaluate that the practice is the industry leader in this area in Iceland.’

‘Great knowledge, problem-solving skills and accessibility.’

‘Erlendur Gíslason: Great knowledge, experience, pragmatic, problem-solving skills and accessibility.’

‘Logos is very professional, they always work on all our matters with integrity and provide good advice. They are quick to reply, and we have been very satisfied with their legal expertise.’

Key clients

Eimskip Island ehf.


TVG-Zimsen ehf.


Gara ehf.


Saeferdir ehf.


Vatryggingafelag Islands hf.


Icelandair ehf.


The Icelandic Coast Guard


TM tryggingar hf.


The Shipowners P&I club


The North Standard Club


Air Atlanta Icelandic


Atlantic Tank Storage ehf.


Icelease ehf.


Norlandair ehf.


Arion bank


W.R. Berkley Insurance Nordic


Sjotaekni ehf.


GPG Seafood ehf.


Bjorgun ehf.


Sjova-Almennar tryggingar hf.


Vordur tryggingar hf.


Work highlights


  • Defended Eimskip Island ehf. and its liability insurers Sjova in a personal injury case involving Eimskip’s terminal in Reykjavík before the District Court of Reykjavík.
  • Advised the Icelandic Coast Guard on the salvage of the fishing vessel “Masilik” and successfully negotiated out of court settlement of a salvage reward under Icelandic law.
  • Advised Icelandair ehf., the Icelandic flag carrier, on a series of transactions regarding the introduction of the Boeing 737MAX 8/9 type aircraft into its fleet.

Juris

Juris is a key name in the Icelandic fishing industry, with experience in all fishing quota and administrative law matters. In addition to coverage of traditional maritime mandates such as the financing, construction, and maintenance of ships, the group is also active in the developing aquaculture field, and in work arising from the transition to net-zero. Fishing sector expert Sigurbjörn Magnússon co-leads the department alongside Finnur Magnússon, who specialises in international trade work.

Practice head(s):

Sigurbjörn Magnússon; Finnur Magnússon


Other key lawyers:

Simon Knight


Testimonials

‘Good knowledge of this field of law.’

Key clients

Ísfélag hf.


Lýsi hf.


Eimskip Ísland hf.


Huginn ehf.


InstaVolt


Work highlights


  • Advised on the merger of Ísfélag Vestmannaeyja hf. and Rammi hf to form Ísfélag hf.
  • Representing Huginn in a case regarding the legality of distribution of mackerel fishing quotas.
  • Advised Ísfélag hf. on its NOK775m investment in Austur Holding, the primary shareholder of Ice Fish Farm.