2018
London Calling
The London office is the largest and leading office in our international strategy. We are pleased to welcome three of London's foremost lawyers within shipping and energy as partners of our London team.
2018
Wikborg Rein appoints two new partners in London
We have appointed two new partners to our Shipping, Trade, Energy & Infrastructure team in London.
2018
New office, organic growth and a modest forecast
In a time of political uncertainty for Britain it seems almost surprising for companies to be undergoing expansion. After speaking with Chris Grieveson, the managing partner of the Wikborg Rein London office, it is apparent that Brexit will not be a problem for Wikborg Rein in London and that the Norwegian approach to corporate culture has been beneficial for Wikborg Rein's success within the country.
2018
Guidance on drafting and interpreting contractual sanctions clauses
In this article, we discuss the first UK case dealing with the scope of a sanctions exclusion clause in the context of the re-imposed US sanctions on Iran and the EU Blocking Regulation. We also provide some pointers for in-house counsel drafting sanctions exclusion clauses.
2018
Are we entitled to know what the robots are thinking?
When Hermon Melles (26) planed his master's thesis he decided to find a research topic that included both his major interests: law and technology. While writing his thesis at the offices of Wikborg Rein he has been given the opportunity to converse with some Norway's most competent lawyers within data protection and technology.
2018
The new Norwegian anti-money laundering legislation will enter into force 15 October 2018
The new Norwegian Anti Money Laundering Act was adopted 1 June 2018. A new Regulation, supplementing the Act, was adopted 14 September 2018. Both the Act and Regulation will enter into force 15 October 2018.
Compliance and crisis management
2018
Privilege in the UK – a landmark decision
A High Court decision limiting privilege in relation to advice prepared for a company regarding claims of fraud and corruption has recently been overturned by the Court of Appeal in London. The decision widens the scope of protection for disclosing documents created by internal investigations and should give comfort to organisations facing such allegations.
2018
Transaction tips from our competition team: Clean Teams
In the middle of deal negotiations or transaction due diligence it is prudent for the buyer, or the merging parties, to get to know as much about the target or its new partner as possible. When the companies involved are competitors, however, this information sharing can raise its own concerns.
2018
Anti suit injunctions – are they still available in the EU?
In the recent case of Nori Holdings and others v. Public Joint Stock Company – Bank Otkritie Financial Corporation, the English High Court was asked to decide whether anti-suit injunctions could now be granted to restrain proceedings in another EU state. They decided that the answer was still "no".
2018
Proposal to parliament – beneficial ownership register act
Today the Ministry of Finance presented a proposal for a new Beneficial Ownership Register Act. The proposal will implement the EU Fourth Money Laundering Directive chapter III on beneficial ownership information.
2018
Transaction tips from our competition team: Gun-Jumping
When businesses decide to pursue a transaction they are understandably keen to complete and implement the deal as soon as possible in order to realise the anticipated synergies. However, when a deal requires clearance from one or more competition authority, there is often a prohibition on implementation pending receipt of the necessary clearances. Taking implementing steps in breach of this prohibition is called 'gun-jumping'.
2018
Wikborg Rein contributes to the realisation of the 200 MW Tonstad wind farm
We have assisted the renewable energy fund manager SUSI in their acquisition of 80% of the shares in Tonstad Vindpark AS, a company holding a license to build and operate the 200 MW Tonstad wind farm in Norway.
2018
Wikborg Rein assisting Hunter Group and Dwellop
We have assisted Hunter Group ASA in connection with its acquisition of up to seven VLCC Shipbuilding contracts and a private placement of NOK 520,000,000.
2018
The Naftogaz-Gazprom saga
Great article in the law magazine (Jusbilaget) of the Norwegian business daily "Finansavisen" about the Naftogaz-Gazprom saga, in which Wikborg Rein represented Naftogaz:
2018
Main partner for Corporate Cup
Wikborg Rein is one of the main partners for Corporate Cup, a spectacular winter event launching for the first time in Norway. At Norefjell, a group of companies will meet for a combination of debates on challenging topics relevant for business, skiing competition, networking and fun.
2018
The WP29 Opinion 2/2017 on data processing at work
Article 29 Working Party (WP 29), consisting of data protection authorities from all EU and EEA states and the European DP Supervisor, has recently issued an Opinion 2/2017 on data processing at work ("the Opinion").
2018
We have adopted AI from Luminance
Wikborg Rein has adopted Luminance, the leading artificial intelligence platform for the legal profession.
2018
Corporate criminal liability; the impact of an effective compliance program
An effective compliance program is essential for any business and it needs to be strong, both on paper and in practice. It addition to providing measures to assist companies to prevent, detect and respond to violations of laws and regulations, such programs have an important role to play as part of any defence against corporate criminal investigations and prosecutions.
2018
What Do President Trump's Iran Threats Mean for Norwegian Companies?
At last month's State of the Union address, President Trump called on Congress to "address the fundamental flaws in the terrible Iran nuclear deal". Trump has been attacking the deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the "JCPOA"), since he began campaigning for the presidency. But this latest statement, made at one of Washington's most important political events and coming on the heels of Trump's January 12 threat to withdraw from the JCPOA, suggests that the president may be closer to taking action. If Trump does decide to end US participation in the JCPOA, how will he do it? And what will this mean for Norwegian companies considering business in Iran?
2018
Contract Update – Written vs Oral Variations
What happens when a contract says that all variations must be in writing, but the parties then try to vary that contract orally? Can they do this? The UK Supreme Court recently looked at this and decided the answer is "no".
2018
BARECON 2017 – a broad brush revision of a widely used form
BIMCO has today, 13 December, released the new BARECON 2017 – a revision of its 16 year old predecessor BARECON 2001. This represents an important update to one of the most commonly used maritime contracts – regularly applied for all types of maritime assets across all sectors in the shipping and offshore industries.
2018
Bareboat registration in and out of Norwegian Ship Registries
On 5 December 2017 the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries issued a consultation paper with proposed changes to the legislation for registrations of vessels in the Norwegian International Ship Registry (NIS) and the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Registry (NOR). The two Norwegian Ship Registries does not currently allow bareboat registration of vessels, but the proposal suggests to open up for such registration both into and out of NIS and NOR. The proposal is intended to meet the practical needs of the maritime industry and make the rules for vessel registration in Norway more flexible and internationally competitive.
2018
Should privilege against self-incrimination apply to corporate investigations?
Privilege against self-incrimination is a fundamental principle that protects witnesses from revealing information which might expose them to an accusation or criminal charge. Many legal systems recognise this privilege, and in Norway the right to protect oneself against self-incrimination is a rule of law. The privilege derives both from the right to a fair hearing as defined in article 95 of Constitution and article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights in addition to article 14(3)g of the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights. In the US the privilege is enshrined in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.