News and current topics from various practice areas and industries

We recently assisted Stein Lie and Svein Roar Grande in an extensive legal dispute against the artist Bjarne Melgaard. The trial took place in Oslo District Court in October 2024, and the court has now handed down a judgment in the case.

Testimony from parties and witnesses is often crucial evidence in Norwegian court proceedings. The main rule is that parties and witnesses must appear in court and provide oral testimony. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Questions may also arise as to whether it is possible (or preferable) to submit written statements or audio recordings instead. In this update, we provide an overview of the rules that apply to oral and written testimony in Norwegian courts.

National and international regulations are crucial for the effective implementation of carbon capture and storage as a measure to achieve climate targets. Below, we outline the key points you should know about the Norwegian and European regulatory frameworks.

Unio gets to keep the current main collective agreement in the state. This became clear after the National Wage Board today issued its ruling in the fundamental dispute between Unio and the state in connection with the 2024 state settlement. Hjort has assisted Unio in the case.

The new Digital Security Act applies to providers of critical services within selected sectors, as well as certain types of digital services.
The Digital Security Regulation is currently under consultation, and Hjort is assisting the industry in this process.

Last week, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in an insurance dispute between Å Energi Vannkraft and Tryg Forsikring. The case concerned Å Energi Vannkraft’s claim for insurance compensation following damage to the Rygene power plant in Grimstad. The Supreme Court concluded that the damage was not covered by the energy insurance.

When a claim is not fulfilled voluntarily, the claimant must generally initiate legal proceedings and subsequently enforce the final judgment. Such process can take several years, and in the meantime, the claim may be lost. The rules in the Dispute Act regarding attachment and temporary injunctions provide an opportunity for interim protection of claims, and can be an important tool for those seeking a successful outcome.

As the calendar year draws to an end, employers and the employees face questions regarding the handling of unused holidays. This can lead to financial and operational challenges if not managed correctly.

As digitalisation rapidly advances, digital threats are also increasing. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) creates new opportunities, but also introduces new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. With the introduction of stricter legislation such as the Digital Security Act and the NIS 2 Directive, the requirements for corporate cybersecurity are becoming ever more stringent.