Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: EEA and competition

Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners‘ rapidly growing team is spearheaded by Védís Eva Guðmundsdóttir, who joined from the EFTA Surveillance Authority in September 2022.

EEA and competition in Iceland

LOGOS

LOGOS fields a large team of highly experienced practitioners, praised by clients for their ‘unique insight into the field of competition law’. The group advises on negotiations with competition authorities, merger control work and state aid issues, while offering further expertise in EU and EEA mandates. Helga Óttarsdóttir co-leads the department alongside Gunnar Sturluson; Óttarsdóttir has significant experience acting for clients before national and international courts and competition authorities, while Sturluson is a key name for contentious mandates. Supreme Court attorney Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson is a seasoned litigator with expertise in competition and European law, and associate Vilhjálmur Herrera Þórisson assists clients with a broad range of regulatory and compliance work.

Practice head(s):

Helga Óttarsdóttir; Gunnar Sturluson


Other key lawyers:

Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson; Vilhjálmur Herrera Þórisson


Testimonials

‘They have unique insight into the field of competition law and are very well manned.’

‘Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson is the best practising lawyer in Iceland in the field of competition law. He has over the years gained experience by dealing with highly complex cases, delivering good results for his clients. He thinks in other ways than the normal lawyers and can approach cases from different angles, which is very valuable.’

‘Specialisation of team members. Focused result-driven culture.’

‘Top of their field, customer oriented, able and willing to learn about your concerns and challenges.’

Key clients

Siminn hf.


Valitor hf.


Eimskipafelag Islands hf.


Brim hf.


Olgerdin Egill Skallagrimsson hf.


Icelandair ehf.


1912 ehf.


Origo hf.


Storytel Sweden AB


Lyf og heilsa hf.


Rio Tinto á Íslandi hf.


Securitas hf.


Marel hf.


Vex slhf.


Orkla ASA


Arion Bank hf.


Landsbanki hf.


Islandsbanki hf.


Verkis hf.


Danol ehf.


Festi hf.


Hampiðjan hf.


Eik fasteignafélag hf.


Work highlights


  • Assisting Siminn hf. in correspondence with the Competition Authority concerning the merger notification in connection with the sale of 100% shareholding in Mila ehf. to Ardian.
  • Acted as adviser to global fishing gear company Hampiðjan hf. on the acquisition of Norwegian company Mörenot AS, which is active in 30 jurisdictions worldwide.
  • Representing Siminn hf. in its claim for annulment of a Competition Authority fine of ISK500m, imposed for alleged competition law infringements in its broadcasting of the English Premier League in Iceland.

ADVEL Attorneys at Law

ADVEL Attorneys at Law advises major domestic clients such as Arion Bank, the City of Reykjavík, and the Icelandic Government, as well as prominent multinationals such as Vodafone on a range of complex competition and EEA matters. Team lead Dóra Sif Tynes is a notable thought leader on EU and EEA law, with extensive litigation experience in the Community Courts and the EFTA Court. Tynes has key expertise in state aid matters and sector-specific regulations.

Practice head(s):

Dóra Sif Tynes


Key clients

The Icelandic Government


Arion bank


Advania Group


Reitir Real Estate


N1 hf.


Stræto bs.


City of Reykjavík


Vodafone


Work highlights


  • Acting for Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) in a case regarding a complaint to the EFTA Surveillance Authority related to alleged illegal state aid to FARICE for the rollout of the IRIS submarine cable.
  • Acting for Arion bank in a case concerning action for damages related to breach of competition law in the field of payment services.
  • Advising Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) on the negotiations of a cooperation agreement with Viaplay Sweden.

Deloitte Iceland

Deloitte Legal ehf.‘s growing team has leading expertise in cross-border matters, and advises a diverse range of Icelandic clients on all competition law matters. Hallmundur Albertsson, who is highly experienced in EEA, competition and telecoms law, co-leads the group alongside Thordis Bjarnadottir, who is experienced in the fishing, real estate and retail industries, among others.

Practice head(s):

Hallmundur Albertsson; Thordis Bjarnadottir


Key clients

Hopp Leigubílar ehf.


Síminn hf.


Mannvit hf.


Olíudreifing hf.


Íslandssjóðir hf.


Reiknistofa bankanna hf.


Reykjafell hf.


Búseti svf.


HS Orka hf.


Gleðipinnar shareholders


Work highlights


  • Represented Hopp Leigubílar before the Competition Authority in relation to the company’s motion towards anticompetitive practices of one of its market dominant competitors in the taxi market.
  • Advising Mannvit, one of the largest consulting engineering firms in Iceland, regarding its co-operation with another large company in the same sector, in relation to designing Hvammsvirkjun, a major hydropower plant.
  • Advised Oliudreifing, stock keeping and liquid fuel distributor, jointly owned by two of the largest oil companies in Iceland, on several competition matters, and the implementation of its Competition Compliance Program.

Juris

Juris advises clients across numerous highly regulated sectors, and is particularly active in relation to merger control work and business relationships. The group is also experienced in EEA issues such as state aid and GDPR considerations. The team is jointly led by competition expert Andri Árnason and Stefán A. Svensson, whose practice includes both competition and EEA matters. Finnur Magnússon and Hólmfríður Björk Sigurðardóttir are further key names within the team.

Practice head(s):

Andri Árnason; Stefán A. Svensson


Other key lawyers:

Hólmfríður Björk Sigurðardóttir; Finnur Magnússon


Testimonials

‘Highest level of knowledge and experience in this field of law.’

‘Stefán A. Svensson is extremely capable and has vast experience, making him one of the best practising lawyers in this field of law in Iceland.’

‘Great expertise in the field of competition.’

‘Excellent communication skills.

Key clients

Fastus ehf.


Eimskipafélag Íslands hf.


Kvika banki hf.


Lyfja hf.


Five Degrees


Mjólkursamsalan


Landsbankinn hf.


Míla hf.


Work highlights


  • Advised on the merger of Ísfélag Vestmannaeyja hf. and Rammi hf to form Ísfélag hf.
  • Advising Mjólkursamsalan on Iceland’s draft new agricultural policy.
  • Representing Landsbankinn hf. in cases regarding the legality of variable interest rates in consumer mortgages.

Lex Law Offices

Lex Law Offices fields a team with comprehensive competition law expertise, with particular aptitude in relation to M&A issues. The group is highly experienced in merger notices and communication with competition authorities, and has a track record of working across a number of sectors. Competition law specialist Eyvindur Sólnes leads the team alongside Lára Herborg Ólafsdóttir, whose focus is on public procurement law. Eva Margrét Ævarsdóttir and Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir both made partner in early 2023.

Practice head(s):

Eyvindur Sólnes; Lára Herborg Ólafsdóttir


Other key lawyers:

Eva Margrét Ævarsdóttir; Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir


Key clients

Reginn hf


Festi hf.


Kjarnafæði Norðlenska hf.


Fálkinn Ísmar ehf.


Vátryggingafélag Íslands


Fossar Investment bank


Alfa Framtak hf.


VEX ehf.


MS Iceland Dairies (Mjólkursamsalan ehf.)


Work highlights


  • Handled the notification of a merger involving Reginn hf.’s public takeover bid of all shares in Eik hf., another company in the real-estate and property development sector.
  • Advising Festi on a transaction wherein Festi signed a purchase agreement, acquiring all shares in Lyfja ehf., a company that operates pharmacies around Iceland, including notification to the Icelandic Competition Authority.
  • Acted for Vátryggingarfélag Íslands and Fossar fjárfestingarbanki in obtaining the approval of the Icelandic Competition Authority for VÍS’s acquisition of Fossar.