Gaute Gjelsten

Gaute Gjelsten is a partner based in the firm’s Oslo office. Gjelsten began his career at Wikborg Rein's Oslo office, after which he was stationed in London before leading the office in Kobe, Japan for three years. During his time in Japan, he also acted as Norwegian Consul General for Kobe/Osaka. Gjelsten returned to the Oslo office in the beginning of 2003, and is now working with the firm's Shipping/Offshore Group. His main areas of practice are related to offshore, international shipping and maritime law, contract law, insurance law, conflicts of laws, litigation and casualty work.

Gjelsten was in 2009 recommended by Chambers and Partners in the category Shipping: Litigation and in Legal 500 in category Maritime law (including insurance).

Gjelsten is also part of Wikborg Rein's Emergency Response Team.

Curriculum Vitae

Relevant experience:

• "Crete Cement" - Grounding in Oslofjord, Norway; total loss, salvage and wreck removal 
• "Bourbon Dolphin" - Anchor handling tug supply vessel capsizing off Shetland; sinking, total loss and casualties
• "Fjord Champion" - Oil tanker grounding off Søgne, Norway; fire and salvage
• "Rocknes" - Laden bulk carrier grounding and capsizing off Bergen, Norway; oil pollution, sinking, re-floating and casualties. Limitation fund in Norway. Legal recourse proceedings in Norway against the Norwegian Authorities. 
• "Hual Europe" - Laden car carrier grounding off Tokyo Bay, Japan; fire, oil pollution, wreck removal and cargo claims
• "Amorgos" - Bulk carrier grounding off Taiwan; sinking and oil pollution

Work experience:

• 2005 - Partner, Wikborg Rein, Oslo
• 2003-2004 Senior Associate, Wikborg Rein, Oslo
• 2000-2002 Norwegian Councel General, Kobe/Osaka, Japan
• 2000-2002 Japan Representative, Wikborg Rein, Kobe, Japan
• 1998-1999 Associate, Wikborg Rein, Oslo
• 1995-1997 Lecturer, courses in sale of goods law, contract law and administrative law, University of Oslo
• 1994-1995 Assistant Lecturer, Institute of Civil Law, University of Oslo

Publications:

• 2005 - Chief Editor Wikborg Rein Shipping Offshore Update
• Co-author with Haakon Stang Lund: Norway's contribution to Limitation of Liabilities for Maritime Claims, Fourth Edition
• Norway's National Summary in William Tetley's Marine Cargo Claims, Fourth Edition
• Requirements as to form in international jurisdiction contracts. Particularly section 17(1) of the Lugano Convention and the Norwegian Civil Procedure Act, section 36 (3)

Directorships:

• The Norwegian Maritime Law Association, Member of the Board
• Bureau Veritas, Nordic Committee

Education:

• 2000 Practising Certificate
• 1997 Cand. jur., University of Oslo