08.05.2026 Business law Hjort advises Fenix Outdoor on full acquisition of Devold of Norway Hjort has advised Fenix Outdoor International AG on its acquisition of the remaining 35% minority stake in Devold of Norway AS. Following completion of the transaction, Fenix Outdoor owns 100% of Devold of Norway.
Business law How to Structure Municipally Owned Ports in Norway: IKS vs. Limited Company (AS) Municipally owned ports in Norway have traditionally been organised either as inter-municipal companies (IKS) or as municipal enterprises. Both structures provide clear public ownership. The IKS model facilitates cross-municipal cooperation and offers predictable conditions for operations and financing. For many ports, these structures continue to work well. In recent years, however, a growing number of owner municipalities have either converted or are considering converting their port company to a private limited company (AS). Several factors are driving this shift.
27.03.2026 Dispute resolution and Litigation Personal Liability for Board Members and Shareholders Under the Norwegian Companies Act § 17-1 – District Court Ruling Lawyers Pål Sverre Hernæs and Astrid Skorge Fisher secured a full judgment in favor of their client in a case concerning personal liability under section 17-1 of the Norwegian Companies Act (aksjeloven). Asker og Bærum District Court ordered three individuals — the chairman of the board, a board member, and a passive shareholder of a start-up company — to pay NOK 2,162,500 in damages on a joint and several basis, with default interest accruing from 4 August 2022. By the time judgment was handed down, the accrued interest exceeded NOK 900,000. The defendants were also ordered to pay NOK 772,962 in legal costs.
19.03.2026 Dispute resolution and Litigation Clarifications on the Evidentiary Prohibition in the Dispute Act Section 22-5 In autumn 2025, the Supreme Court of Norway provided clarifications on the scope of the evidentiary prohibition in the Dispute Act (tvisteloven) Section 22-5, particularly where confidential infor-mation has also been disclosed to third parties. Read more
12.03.2026 Business law The Wolt Ruling: Bicycle Couriers Are Not Employees – What Does It Mean for Your Business? On 24 February 2026, the Borgarting Court of Appeal, Norway’s second-highest level of courts, delivered its ruling in the widely followed Wolt case. By a majority of four to one, the court found that the bicycle couriers engaged through the digital platform Wolt are independent contractors, not employees, within the meaning of Section 1-8, first paragraph of the Norwegian Working Environment Act. Read more
22.10.2025 Dispute resolution and Litigation Court Ordered Securing of Evidence Outside of Legal Proceedings In today’s digital and highly competitive business environment, crucial evidence can disappear and be altered in an instant, with significant economic and legal consequences. It can also be challenging to assess one’s legal position in potential disputes without first having access to key evidence. Court ordered securing of evidence before court proceedings allow the parties to secure documentation and data before a dispute is brought before the courts. In the following you will find an overview of the main requirements for securing evidence outside of legal proceedings and how the process is executed in practice. Read more
10.10.2025 Business law Amendment to the Act on Psychosocial Work Environment From January 1st, 2026, amendments to the Working Environment Act’s regulations on psychosocial working environments will come into force. The amendments clarify the employer’s obligation to ensure a fully acceptable psychosocial working environment in line with the physical working environment. Although the purpose is not to change current law, the clarifications will entail increased expectations for systematic prevention, documentation, and management practices. Read more
25.09.2025 Business law How to Avoid VAT Becoming a Final Cost when Developing Municipal Infrastructure Developers often face significant costs when they are required to finance municipal infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, footpaths and cycle paths, roundabouts, and green areas. One of the biggest challenges is how to handle value added tax (VAT) so that it does not become a final cost in the development project. Proper handling of VAT can make a big difference to the profitability of the project. Read more
