The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Norway > Dispute resolution

With 'a great set of litigators who are a safe pair of hands throughout', BAHR has 'an outstanding combination of legal skills, litigation skills and personalities' giving clients 'an entirely positive impression' of the group. Atle Skaldebø-Rød heads the practice and is 'excellent in court and gives fast, good, honest and to-the-point advice'; other key names include  Tarjei Thorkildsen, who, according to one source, is 'one of the best litigators clients have ever experienced', Thomas Svensen, who is 'very hardworking and hands on', IP and construction specialist Gunnar Sørlie, Sam Harris, energy and tax litigator Jan Jansen and IP expert Are Stenvik. Recent highlights include representing Solveig Gas Norway, Silex Gas Norway and Infragas Norge in the high-profile Gassled litigation, acting for Aukruststiftelsen in an IP dispute relating to the ownership of the rights to the fictional Flåklypa universe, and representing Nordic Trustee in a damages claim. Øystein Bremset made partner in 2018.

Boutique construction and dispute resolution firm Advokatfirmaet Glittertind AS' recent mandates include representing Föreningen Greenpeace Norden in a dispute against the Norwegian government relating to licenses granted for oil production in the Barents Sea region, which are allegedly in conflict with a constitutional ruling that ensures environmental protection of the area; acting for Norgani Hotels in damages claims arising from a bankruptcy, and assisting the Catholic Bishopry of Oslo with issues relating to state aid reimbursement claims. Anders Ryssdal leads the group, which also includes construction expert Nils-Henrik Pettersson, senior lawyer Emanuel Feinberg and Cato Schiøtz, who joined in 2018 from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS.

The 'extremely focused and well-prepared' practice at Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS 'regularly outperforms the firms it is up against' with 'a hands-on and creative approach, excellent understanding of the law and amazing market knowledge'. Clients single out the 'calm, trustworthy and highly skilled' Rasmus Asbjørnsen, who 'balances the ability to draw up the big picture with precision and an excellent court manner'; 'great litigator' Johnny Johansen, the 'analytical and strategically shrewd' Arve Martin Bjørnvik, managing partner and group head Henning Nordtvedt, and Mikal Brøndmo, who is 'quick, pleasant and productive'. Bjørnvik recently acted for Nortura in a compensation claim relating to the extension and renovation of a food processing factory and Goud Helge Homme Fjellheim represented the Norwegian Ministry of Transport in a damages claim relating to the acquisition of a new road toll collection IT system. Pål Martin Abell and Vebjørn Krag Iversen made partner in 2019, and Anne Hesjedal Sending joined from a position at the Attorney General's office.

Advokatfirmaet Hjort has 'exceptionally broad competences in Norwegian law' and is 'very hands on, business oriented and able to quickly find the best solutions to settle disputes'. The group is active across various sectors and also handles criminal cases; recent work includes acting for Patrus in a damages claim pertaining to allegations of a breach of a non-compete agreement, representing Statnett in the Supreme Court against several municipalities in a dispute relating to the valuation of property tax for power transmission lines, and acting for Finnmark Estate Agency in a Supreme Court case concerning the scope of collective rights of use to land owned by the client. Alex Borch heads the team, Kristin Veierød focuses on electronic communication-related work, Frode Innjord has 'a unique way of presenting a matter in court' and Anders Myhre is a specialist in construction and public procurement matters. Senior attorney Nils Christian Langtvedt joined from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS in 2018.

Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS' 'very strong team works well together, delivers on all questions and has a down-to-earth approach', which 'supports clients well'. Halvor Manshaus leads the group and focuses on IP, technology and media work, Sven Eriksrud handles contact disputes, Vidar Strømme is a key name for oil and gas litigation, Sigurd Holter Torp is 'very knowledgeable' and Per Magne Ristvedt excels in contract and real estate-related disputes. Manshaus recently advised WorldVentures on issues relating to its ban by the Norwegian authorities following allegations that it is a pyramid scheme, Torp represented Autostore Technology in patent litigation and Trond Sollund acted for Prosafe in a dispute against Westcon Ølen relating to the conversion of a flotel rig. Hallvard Gilje Aarseth, David Særsten Brambani and Thomas Nordby joined from the Attorney General's office, Arntzen de Besche and Michelet & Co Advokatfirma AS respectively. Cato Schiøtz joined Advokatfirmaet Glittertind AS and Vidar Riksfjord joined Advokatfirmaet CLP DA. The group also benefitted from the firm's merger with Michelet & Co Advokatfirma AS in late 2018.

Wiersholm 'handles big lawsuits in an impressive way' for a client roster that includes AIG Europe and IBM; the team acted for the latter in a dispute against the Norwegian Public Roads Administration relating to its cancellation of a contract for the delivery of a new IT solution for toll road payments. Other work includes representing CHC Helikopter Service in two Supreme Court cases relating to the application of seniority in redundancies and a compensation claim relating to a previous judgment relating to its compulsory retirement age, and acting for AF Gruppen Norge in a final account dispute with the municipality of Oslo regarding the construction of an underground water storage facility. Ronny Lund, the 'very skilled' Olav Perland and Christian Hauge jointly lead the group, which also includes public procurement expert Morten Goller and the highly regarded Magnus Hellesylt.

Ola Haugen heads the practice at Wikborg Rein and has 'a prodigious command of the law'; clients also praise 'excellent lawyer' Kaare Andreas Shetelig (who 'does an excellent job'), and Ola Nisja who is 'outstanding both in and out of court and provides superb strategic advice'. Haugen recently acted for the Norwegian Armed Forces in two cases against Avinor relating to the transfer of Bergen and Trondheim airports to Avinor, and Dag Mjaaland represented Naftogaz in two international arbitrations relating to its gas sales contract with Gazprom and a transit contract. Norsk Gjenvinning, Troms Kraft and DNB are also clients. Mads Magnussen joined the group from his position as a District Court judge.

Arntzen de Besche's team 'consistently performs solidly with a creative and proactive approach that gives clients the confidence that they don't need to rethink their strategy' and has 'a professional and positive reputation'. Highlights included successfully acting for Ree Minerals Holding in the Supreme Court in a matter relating to share subscriptions, representing Fri Eiendom in a dispute relating to a terminated agreement regarding a property development, and acting for Stainsen Eiendom in an arbitration concerning the right to parking space use. Key names include 'talented litigator' Terje Granvang, 'brilliant adviser' Erlend Haaskjold, Knud Jacob Knudsen and the 'dedicated' Andreas Nordby. Berit Svensli Solseth made partner in 2019. Fred Gade left the firm.

Recent highlights for the practice at Advokatfirmaet CLP DA include acting for Capeomega, Solveig Gas Norway, Silex Gas Norway and Infragas Norge in the Supreme Court in the high-profile Gassled litigation relating to a tariff reduction; and representing Axel Schøyen in a precedent-setting case relating to the right to redeem a building on leased ground. FSN Capital Partners, Recover Nordic and Ferd are also clients. Egil Jarslett, Kyrre Eggen and Vidar Riksfjord jointly lead the group; Riksfjord joined in 2018 from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS.

Kluge Advokatfirma AS' clients 'always feel like they are well looked after' thanks to its 'unique capability to look at cases from all angles and find excellent strategies to make sure all weak points are covered'. Key sector expertise for the department includes the construction, IP, oil and gas, tax and public procurement industries; it recently acted for Neodrill in an IP dispute against Equinor (formerly Statoil) relating to exploration technology, and represented NRK in litigation relating to workforce reductions and the outsourcing of TV production services. Christian Galtung leads the group, which also includes Steffen Asmundsson and Amund Noss.

With notable expertise in the energy and offshore sectors, Kvale Advokatfirma DA also handles IP litigation and employment law disputes; it recently acted for Rockville Technologies in a dispute against Tidal relating to a terminated licensing agreement. Other work includes acting for a former Thule Drilling board member in a Supreme Court damages claim, defending TDC in a repayment claim against Telenor and representing Statoil (now Equinor) in a dispute relating to the termination of a drilling contract. Per Conradi Andersen heads the team, Kristian Lindhartsen focuses on maritime insurance disputes, Lasse Hagen handles shipping claims and Andreas Stang Lund is a key name for financial services work. IP litigator Ingvild Hanssen-Bauer joined from Wikborg Rein in 2017.

SANDS' 'strong analytical thinking and client-friendly approach' allows it to have 'a unique view of cases it is involved in', Its team of 'skilled negotiators' includes group head Morten Steenstrup, who is 'extremely service minded and hardworking', Bjørn Stordrange, construction expert Morten Hugo Berger, shipping specialist Oddbjørn Slinning, Hege Birkeland Ersdal and Lars Tormodsgard, who is 'sophisticated, sharp and commercial, with an outstanding ability to read and analyse complex situations'. The group recently represented hundreds of former students in a compensation claim against Westerdals, which charged college fees that exceeded the maximum fee level allowed under Norwegian law, and is defending Finnmarksykehuset in an environmental lawsuit relating to an oil fuel tank spillage.

The 'highly professional' practice at Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS has 'a helpful, hands-on approach' and is 'very dedicated to its clients'. The practice is recognised for its experience in contract disputes with notable expertise in the shipping, IT, construction, IP and real estate sectors. Asbjørn Berg and Carl Roberts jointly lead the team; Berg recently defended Daimler in a compensation claim filed following a European Commission decision which fined truck manufacturers for impermissible information exchanges, and Roberts is 'a good team player, who excels in global commercial conflicts'. The practice gained Eirik Høiby and Christian Steen Eriksen following the firm's 2019 merger with Kyllingstad Kleveland Advokatfirma DA.

Christian Reusch heads the department at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig following his recruitment from the Attorney General's office. The practice excels in the shipping, aviation, technology, real estate, construction and competition sectors; clients include Symphony Ventures and Kruse Smith Entreprenør. Reusch and Peter Simonsen are acting for the latter in an arbitration relating to the renovation and expansion of an apartment complex. Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen is a key name for shipping and public procurement disputes, and Egil Horstad and Kristoffer Larsen Rognvik are also recommended.

Recent highlights for the 'highly professional and reliable' practice at Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS include Camilla Vislie acting for Tono in a dispute with a TV distributor relating to multi-territorial licensing issues, and practice co-head Henning Harborg defending TGS Nopec Geophysical Company in a tax fraud case. Other noteworthy individuals include Eirik W Raanes, who handles IP and construction disputes; Trond Hatland in Bergen, whose expertise encompasses fishery, insurance, corporate and employment disputes; and tax specialist Hanne Skaarberg Holen. Former team head Asle Bjelland is now a judge. Managing associate Kristine Hyldmo Bjørnvik joined from Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS in 2019.

DLA Piper 'succeeds in balancing its legal advice with the commercial interest of its clients in a unique manner' and leverages its global network to excel in cross-border litigation. The team also has notable experience in the insurance and construction sectors; the 'excellent' Are Hunskaar acted for Cowi and AIG Europe in a dispute relating to the construction of a slaughterhouse and Alexander Plows represented Veidekke Entreprenad in an insurance dispute relating to the liability of its subcontractor for the construction of a defective motorway tunnel. Johan Ratvik leads the group and Arne Engesæth is another key name to note.

Key ares of specialism for Advokatfirmaet Grette AS include the construction, property, IP, employment and oil and gas sectors. Its client roster includes Mundipharma, which the team acted for in patent enforcement issues; the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, which it represented in a dispute relating to the construction of a new road; and National Oilwell Varco, which it acted for in lawsuits arising from its restructuring. Amund Brede Svendsen leads the group and Sigurd-Øyvind Kambestad and Christopher Hansteen handle employment disputes.

Insurance boutique Advokatfirma Kogstad Lunde & Co is 'no less than excellent in the insurance field' and is 'commercially focused, trustworthy and always available'. The team acts solely for insurers; it recently represented Protector Forsikring in claims arising from the Grenfell Tower fire. Trond Werner Lunde leads the practice, which also includes personal injury team head Terje Marthinsen.