Advokatfirmaet Haavind AS‘s aquaculture, offshore and industries department has increased its presence in shipbuilding and is regarded by its clients as a ’complementary team that gets straight to the core of the issues at hand and uses their different strengths to find the best solutions for clients’. Practice head Christopher Sveen is a key advisor to clients on domestic and cross-border shipbuilding transactions and disputes, as well as acting on the newbuild and modification of ships. Silje Helene B. Dagsland chiefly acts on shipbuilding contracts, an area that Sarah-Ann Kvam Holte is also noted for. Bjørn Gisle Grønlie has broad knowledge across shipbuilding, covering transport, installation, and sales.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Great knowledge about laws and regulations that apply to our relevant industry - the aquaculture industry in Norway. Genuinely interested in our cases and great availability. Good diversity in different fields relevant (tax and aquaculture law).’
- 'A complementary team that gets straight to the core of the issues at hand and uses their different strengths to find the best solutions for clients. Wide area of expertise.’
- ‘Bjørn Gisle Grønlie is recommended for his industry-wide expertise and pragmatic solution-minded support on setting up supplier frame agreements, and Christopher Sveen for his commercial mindset in combination with legal skills, always going the extra mile for the client.’
- ‘Great wholesome team, where the experts are added and removed as the needs change with the evolution of the situation. Provides confidence that they have your back.’
- ‘Haavind provides us with strong ongoing support with regard to contracting strategies, complex contract negotiations and in strategic matters relating to our policies and standard practices. We value their broad expertise in contract law, responsiveness, market and industry awareness, combined with a keen awareness of our specific needs.’
- ‘Christopher Sveen has an impressive command of the relevant contract standards and consistently demonstrates the ability to translate this knowledge into practical and effective solutions. His combination of technical insight and responsive, pragmatic advice with a strategic touch makes him a particularly valuable adviser.’
Key clients
- The Norwegian Ministry of Defence
- Jarle Bergs Sønner AS
- The Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation
- Hurtigruten Group
- Norled AS
- Nova Sea AS
Work highlights
Assisted Hurtigruten with substantial restructuring measures in relation to a major split of Hurtigruten Group into a Norwegian/coastal part and an Expedition/Cruise part and continuing to support the group in relation to follow-up of the restructuring measures.
Assisted the Ministry of Defence in the disputes that arose after the shipwreck of Helge Ingstad in 2018.
Advised Norled AS on the complex termination of three electric-hybrid fast-ferry shipbuilding contracts with the shipyard Brødrene Aa AS.
Practice head
Christopher Sveen
Other key lawyers
Silje Helene B. Dagsland; Sarah-Ann Kvam Holte; Bjørn Gisle Grønlie; Lene Kristin Hennø