Recent developments, including new US sanctions restricting imports of aluminium, copper and nickel and wind-down of General License on Venezuela
In this sanctions alert we seek to summarise recent developments relating to Norwegian, EU, UK and US sanctions, including US and UK prohibitions on import of certain Russian-origin metals, wind-down of transactions related to oil and gas sector operations in Venezuela, EU's minimum rules for prosecution of and penalties for violating EU sanctions, and the implementation of the EU's 12th and 13th package of sanctions against Russia into the Norwegian Ukraine Regulation.
WR ESG Alert: Shell appeals landmark climate ruling while EU members agree on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
In this month's ESG alert, we describe Shell's appeal against a landmark climate ruling, the approval by EU members of a revised version of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as well as recent EU climate initiatives and proposals to align Norwegian climate regulations with EU standards
Wikborg Rein again top ranked across all 20 practice areas in Legal 500
We are particularly excited to note that as many as 79 of our lawyers have been commended for their outstanding contributions within their respective fields.
Wikborg Rein only Norwegian law firm in the GAR 100 survey
Global Arbitration Review has unveiled its annual ranking of the world’s leading international arbitration practices, with Wikborg Rein exclusively listed.
EU Council and Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approves amended draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
On 15 March 2024, the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) of the Council of the European Union (the "Council") surprisingly approved an amended draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (the "CS3D"). On 19 March, the amended draft of the CS3D was approved by the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) of the European Parliament.
Last ned vår krisehåndteringsapp
Wikborg Reins Krisehåndteringsverktøy er nå klart for nedlasting. Verktøyet gir praktisk, umiddelbar og trinnvis veiledning i tilfelle ulike typer kriser oppstår som følge av uanmeldte inspeksjoner og kontroller fra politiet eller andre offentlige myndigheter.
Wikborg Rein Exclusive in All Chambers Europe Categories
We are delighted to announce that we have once again achieved top rankings in Chambers Europe. Wikborg Rein is the only Norwegian law firm ranked in all 19 categories.
Sanctions issued following the two-year anniversary of the invasion
In this sanctions alert, we include updates on recent developments following the two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Styringsmekanisme for bedre forsyningssikkerhet
Stortinget har vedtatt en ny styringsmekanisme for forsyningssikkerhet, men hvordan gir regelendringene bedre styring på kraftressursene våre?
PRIIPs proposal and likely timing of entry into force in Norway
Long overdue, the PRIIPs Regulation is proposed implemented into Norwegian law. In this newsletter, we have set out the details on how and when PRIIPs is expected to be implemented in Norway.
WR Kapitalforvaltning: AIF-forvalter – konsesjon eller kun registrering?
Når må du ha konsesjon for å forvalte alternative investeringsfond? Når holder det å kun være «registrert»? Hva er forskjellene?
Wikborg Rein assisting Summa Equity with investment in Stim AS
We have assisted Summa Equity AB with an acquisition of a controlling stake in Stim AS. The investment sees Summa Equity partnering with Stim AS' founder and owner, Jim Roger Nordly.
WR ESG Alert: The EU Council fails to endorse the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, leaving the future of the Directive hanging in the balance
In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the EU Council's failure to endorse the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the European Parliament's efforts to combat gender-based violence, and provide an update on various environmental developments at the EU and Norwegian levels.
Til topps i Finansavisens advokatundersøkelse
Wikborg Rein er nok en gang blant advokatfirmaene med flest topplasseringer, og har i år større poengvekst enn noe annet firma i kåringen.
Norwegian Chapter in the Chambers Life Sciences & Pharma IP Litigation 2024
Lars Erik Steinkjer, Nora Bratheim and Guro S. Kyrkjebø Nybø have contributed to the Norwegian chapter in the Chambers and Partners Life Sciences & Pharma IP Litigation 2024 Global Practice Guide.
Nye skatteadvokater i Oslo
Vi er svært glade for å ønske Harald Hauge og Jarle Schelander velkommen til Wikborg Rein.
Wikborg Rein topprangert i Chambers Global 2024
Det er med stor glede vi kan annonsere at vi nok en gang er blitt topprangert i den årlige kåringen Chambers Global, og befester posisjonen som Norges mest internasjonale advokatfirma.
EU takes steps to empower consumers for the green transition
Shielding consumers from greenwashing and misleading environmental claims constitutes an important aspect of the European Union’s strategy to cultivate a more environmentally sustainable economy. A European Commission study in 2020 revealed that more than 50% of environmental claims within the EU were unclear or misleading, with 40% lacking substantiation.
Are all state-owned Russian companies controlled by President Putin?
This was a question many asked after a recent judgment from the English Court of Appeal. Sanctions target those designated as well as those owned or controlled by designated persons. Understanding the precise scope of what constitutes ‘control’ under UK sanctions can be challenging. In this article we shed some light on this analysis, based on recent case law.
The Crackdown on Price Cap Evasion and the BIMCO Russian Oil Price Cap Scheme Clause for Charter Parties
The BIMCO Russian Oil Price Cap Scheme Clause was long-anticipated when it was published on 2 June 2023. There has since been growing concern that the original Price Cap Measures were easy to circumvent, and in this article we examine the impact of the latest measures to combat such evasion.
Managing cyber risk
All companies face the risk of cyber-attacks. In general, the question is when and not if an attack will strike. Companies should therefore strengthen their cyber resilience and implement robust measures to be prepared to handle all aspects of an attack if/when it occurs.
Towards safe, reliable and human-centred AI
The EU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act marks a global first, introducing rules for the use and provision of AI systems. At the heart is a commitment to fostering trust in AI to unlock and maximise the vast social and economic possibilities offered by these technologies.
Expansion of the UK’s corporate criminal liability regime
The UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“the ECCTA”) was formally approved on 26 October 2023. Among the most significant reforms introduced by the ECCTA are the establishment of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ as a new UK corporate criminal offence, and a reform of the UK identification doctrine expanding the extent of corporate criminal liability for economic crimes. In this article, we highlight the details of these two key aspects of the Act, and explain how they will affect Norwegian companies with operations or subsidiaries in the UK.
Enforcing an award contrary to sanctions, an issue of ’public policy’?
The past few years have illustrated with a vast intensity the relevance of international sanctions for an ever expanding number of businesses and sectors. This backdrop has also led to a significant increase in sanctions related disputes, which in turn has led to discussions regarding enforcement of arbitral awards that contravene applicable sanctions.
China expands legislation for private sector corruption
China has amended its criminal law for the 12th time with effect from 1 March 2024 by increasing penalties and adding employees of private companies to some bribery and corruption offences that currently only apply to employees of state-owned enterprises.
Inviterer til sanksjons- og hvitvaskingsdagen 2024
15. februar åpner vi dørene på Nasjonalmuseet for Sanksjons- og hvitvaskingsdagen 2024 - med både amerikanske sanksjonsmyndigheter (OFAC), amerikanske eksportkontrollmyndigheter (BIS), EU-kommisjonen, norske myndigheter og representanter fra næringslivet blant foredragsholderne. Seminaret vil også streames direkte.
WR ESG Alert: Key decisions by Norwegian and French courts relating to the environment and crimes against humanity
In this month's ESG alert, we describe the recent decision by France's highest court which paves the way for charges to be brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity and a decision by Oslo District Court which invalidates three Norwegian oil and gas field permits on environmental grounds.
WR Kapitalforvaltning: Valg av fondsstruktur – AS, IS eller utenlandsk?
Hvilken selskapstype bør du velge når du etablerer et nytt alternativt investeringsfond? Det kommer blant annet an på hva fondet skal investere i, hvilke investorer man søker, hvilken fleksibilitet man trenger ved inn- og utbetalinger fra fondet, behov for konfidensialitet, mv.
Working conditions at Turkish yards and the Norwegian Transparency Act
Norwegian media has recently published a number of stories on the alleged poor working conditions at Turkish shipyards. Norwegian shipowners contracting with foreign yards must be prepared to provide information on their efforts to ensure decent working conditions pursuant to the Norwegian Transparency Act.
EU ETS: New clarifications on the allocation of shipping companies to the administering authorities
On 31 January 2024 the EU Commission published their anticipated list showing which shipping companies shall be associated with the different administering authorities of the member states under the EU ETS.
EU recent developments
The EU Council established a new sanctions framework targeting Guatemala. A new framework is also established by the EU for imposing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Enighet om deler av EUs tiltakspakke mot hvitvasking og terrorfinansiering
Den 20. juli 2021 la EU-kommisjonen frem sin pakke med lovforslag for å styrke EUs regler om bekjempelse av hvitvasking og terrorfinansiering. Den 18. januar 2024 ble Europaparlamentet og Rådet enige om en foreløpig avtale om deler av denne pakken: Det sjette hvitvaskingsdirektivet og hvitvaskingsforordningen.
Nye partnere i Stavanger og Oslo
Vi er glade for å kunne ønske velkommen Andreas Myrstad og Per Kristian Ramsland til Wikborg Reins partnerskap.
Challenge of Arbitral Awards in Norway – Where do we stand now?
Our partner Kaare Andreas Shetelig has together with Atle Skaldebø-Rød published an article discussing the challenge of arbitral awards.
Key FSRU assets transferred by Dynagas to Energos Infrastructure
In a significant move within the LNG maritime sector, Wikborg Rein expertly guides Greek shipowner client Dynagas through its sale to Energos Infrastructure of two state-of-the-art Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs), Transgas Force and Transgas Power.
Nye partnere fra egne rekker
Vi gleder oss over å ønske velkommen tre nye interne tilskudd til vårt partnerskap i Kristin Nordland Brattli, Martin H. Bryde og Stian Holm Johannessen.
WR ESG Alert: EU agreement on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and updates to and expansion of a range of environmental obligations
In this month's ESG alert, we highlight that political agreement has been reached at EU level with respect to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation as well as new rules to strengthen the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. We also describe an expanded scope for sustainability disclosure obligations following a report by the European Supervisory Authorities and revisions to the Norwegian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act.
Endringer i tvisteloven, SCC-rapport og Norwegian Arbitration Day
I dette nyhetsbrevet gjennomgår vi endringene i tvisteloven i kraft fra 1. januar 2024, en interessant undersøkelse om institusjonell og ad hoc voldgift fra SCC og minner om Norwegian Arbitration Day 8. februar 2024.
Endringer i arbeidsmiljøloven fra 1. januar 2024
Nye regler om nedbemanning i konsern, grensedragningen mellom arbeidstakere og oppdragstakere, drøftingsplikt, seksuell trakassering mv.
EU agreement on corporate due diligence rules to safeguard human rights and environment
On 14 December 2023, the European Parliament and the European Council informally agreed on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (the "CS3D" or the "directive") obliging firms to integrate their human rights and environmental impact into their management systems. The directive has been called a historic breakthrough in the way companies are now responsible for potential abuse in their value chain. Subsequent to the negotiations, the Lead MEP said that this was a starting point for shaping the economy of the future.
Ærede rett! i ny versjon – klar til jul
Kaare Andreas Shetelig og Ola Nisja har sammen med Christian Reusch revidert og oppdatert boken "Ærede rett! Kræsjkurs i sakførsel".
EU-domstolen med fire nye GDPR-avgjørelser på tampen av året
EU-domstolen kom i starten av desember med hele fire nye avgjørelser som behandler spørsmål om tolkningen av GDPR. I sakene besvarte domstolen spørsmål om roller og ansvar, bøtelegging ved brudd på forordningen, automatiserte avgjørelser etter artikkel 22, og lagringstid og sletting av personopplysninger.
EU adopts 12th package of sanctions against Russia
The long-awaited 12th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine was announced yesterday afternoon on the 18th of December. As expected, the package includes restrictions on additional goods of Russian origin, including diamonds, measures to strengthen the price cap on Russian oil and a significant amount of new designated individuals and entities.
Gender Quota Regulation for the board of directors of Norwegian private limited liability companies
New and extended gender quota regulations to the board of directors of Norwegian private limited liability companies are adopted. Until now, gender quota regulations have applied only for listed public limited liability companies and state owned companies. The newly adopted regulation, which shall also apply to inter alia certain partnerships, co-operatives and foundations, significantly broadens the scope of gender quota mandates.