Wikborg Reins ethical regulations

Wikborg Reins ethical regualtions

The Norwegian Courts Act’s clause 224, first paragraph, states that legal practice must comply with proper conduct for lawyers. According to this clause, lawyers must conduct themselves in a thorough and conscientious manner which is in accordance with the client’s interests. In addition the lawyer must perform the tasks in due time. In accordance with the Courts Act’s clause 224, second section, the Norwegian Bar Association (“Den norske Advokatforeningen”) has prepared a set of regulations for proper conduct for lawyers, in order to make sure that legal practice is performed according to the set ethical demands and principles.

Wikborg Rein’s ethical regulations are in general based on the Bar Association’s regulations. However, certain provisions in Wikborg Rein’s regulations are stricter than the Bar Association. For example, Wikborg Rein’s regulations contain a provision regarding investments in securities issued by clientsin order to protect the firm’s and the individual lawyer’s financial integrity towards the clients. The regulations ensure that Wikborg Rein’s lawyers perform in such a manner that their independence towards clients cannot be questioned. In addition, Wikborg Rein’s regulations pertaining to the acceptance of cases and the entering into an agreement with a client prior to beginning work are stricter than those of the Bar Association. This ensures the firm’s good standing and makes sure that the cases and clients accepted by the firm are in accordance with the firm’s strategy.

Every employee of Wikborg Rein should have high moral standings.

Ethics and Conflicts Committee
Wikborg Rein has established an Ethics and Conflicts Committee, consisting of four experienced partners, lead by Per M. Ristvedt. This committee ensures that both the Bar Association’s regulations, as well as the firm’s own regulations, are fulfilled. The committee also determines whether to accept a client/case when there is doubt.

The lawyers of the firm are regularly trained in ethical regulations, and the committee is responsible for such training.

Wikborg Rein has an extensive internal ethical set of regulations. If you need further information on this, please contact Marius M. Gisvold, partner in Wikborg Rein.