News and current topics from various practice areas and industries

On July 1, 2025, several amendments to the Planning and Building Act and the Cadastre Act came into force. Many of the amendments concern new instruments to be used in planning densification and transformation under the Planning and Building Act. Among other things, the new system for landowner financing of infrastructure (often referred to as the “area model”) has come into force. The process leading up to the establishment of regulations for this has been long and subject to much discussion along the way.

In a ruling handed down on 20 June 2025, the Supreme Court considered whether A – the chair and managing director of a construction company – could be held liable for damages for transactions carried out while a legal dispute was pending.

Hjort has been acting as legal representative in a case before the Supreme Court concerning the interpretation of the transitional provisions in the 2019 Inheritance Act. The main question was whether a testator who, prior to the entry into force of the current Inheritance Act, had given gifts to several of his heirs, could validly decide that the gifts should be deducted from future inheritance even after the current Inheritance Act came into force.

The Supreme Court recently handed down a ruling in HR-2025-1115-A (Rambøll), which provides further clarification on the conditions that must be met in order for so-called tort-based claims to be brought in contractual relationships, and how these claims relate to contractual liability. This article reviews case law and summarises the legal situation.

On 3 June 2025, the Standing Committee on Justice of the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) submitted its recommendation regarding the new Public Administration Act. The new Act will soon be enacted by the Parliament.

The establishment of data centers is a highly debated topic among policymakers, municipalities, and industry stakeholders in Norway. The recent judgment from the Court of Appeal (LB-2024-139780), which addressed the interpretation of Hadsel Municipality’s zoning plan, has brought new legal questions to the forefront.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) has clarified that there will be an in-creased focus on systematic HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) management and the safeguarding of wage and working conditions in the coming years. This means that all businesses should expect more frequent inspections, additional guidance measures, and stricter sanctions for regulation breaches.

We are proud to welcome Managing Associate Sarah Marie Didriksen to our Real Estate and Construction Law practice area. Sarah’s appointment further enhances our expertise in real estate law, particularly in the field of planning and building law.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has proposed amendments to the Marka Act (Markaloven), which governs the forested and hilly areas—collectively known as “Marka”—surrounding Oslo and its neighboring municipalities. These areas, often referred to simply as “Marka,” are vital for outdoor recreation, biodiversity, and as a natural buffer for the capital region. After more than 13 years with the Marka Act, which applies exclusively to these protected zones, we support the Ministry’s initiative to make necessary adjustments that will ensure the law remains clear, effective, and user-friendly while upholding its original purpose.