Experience

Experience as Arbitrator

I have served as both sole arbitrator and chair of arbitral tribunals, appointed by both parties and leading institutions, in complex international disputes.

Examples of cases:

• Chair of the tribunal in DIA arbitration between European and US parties concerning a post-MA dispute under Danish law. 
• Chair of the tribunal in FAI arbitration between Nordic parties concerning an energy dispute under Finnish law.  
• Chair of the tribunal in DIA arbitration between European and US parties in a dispute concerning a distribution agreement under Danish law. 
• Chair of the arbitral tribunal in an ad hoc arbitration between a Norwegian construction company and an international construction company concerning the building of a new stretch of railroad. The case involved two oral hearings lasting more than three weeks. The Norwegian Arbitration Act (based on the UNCITRAL model law) and the NOMA Guidelines applied to the case.
• Sole arbitrator in SCC arbitration concerning dispute over contract interpretation and payment of outstanding invoices under Swedish law between US and Swedish parties.
• Sole arbitrator in DIA arbitration concerning a dispute involving a distribution agreement between German/Australian and Danish parties. Danish law was the applicable law, and the cases raised complex questions concerning Danish and EU competition law.

Experience as Counsel in Arbitration

As a Supreme Court attorney in Norway and a partner at major law firms, I have represented clients in numerous cross-border and domestic arbitrations. My counsel experience includes cases under the rules of:

• ICC (International Chamber of Commerce)
• SCC (Stockholm Chamber of Commerce)
• UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law)
• ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes)
• ICDR (International Centre for Dispute Resolution)

• NOMA (Nordic Offshore & Maritime Arbitration Association)

Examples of cases:

• Legal counsel for a Swedish listed company in an ad hoc arbitration under the Norwegian Arbitration Act concerning the sale of the shares in a Norwegian company to a Danish buyer.
  
• Legal counsel for a Norwegian aquaculture company in connection with an SCC arbitration against an Asian shipyard concerning the building of an offshore installation.
• Legal counsel to Asian listed company in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of a joint venture for building one of Northern Europe's longest suspension bridges.
• Legal counsel for major international energy companies in an ad hoc arbitration against another major international energy company concerning interpretation of contracts regarding storage and throughput of fuels.
• Legal counsel for major Norwegian construction company in dispute with European windfarm company concerning the building of one of Norway's largest wind farms.
• Legal counsel for a Norwegian telecommunication company in investment treaty arbitration (ICSID) against the Republic of Chile.

Sector Expertise

• Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure
• Energy, Oil & Gas
• Shipping & Maritime
• Retail and Consumer Goods
• Mergers, Acquisitions & Shareholder Disputes

Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure

I have extensive experience in construction projects, both onshore and offshore, including final settlement disputes and claims involving defects. I have represented builders, main contractors and subcontractors, engineers, designers and architects. I have also represented clients in all types of projects, including various types of buildings (residential projects, factories, storage facilities, data centers, offices, schools, stores and museums) and infrastructure (bridges, tunnels, roads, windfarms and dams).

I am familiar with the various types of issues and disputes, including unexpected ground conditions, variation orders, delays and claims for liquidated damages and time extension, design and engineering errors, and defects. I am also very familiar with all types of construction contracts, both the FIDIC suite of contracts and Norwegian standard contracts, including EPC contracts, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracts, Design and Build contracts, fixed price contracts and unit price contracts.

Examples of cases:

• Representing one of Norway’s largest construction companies in a dispute before the district court with the Norwegian Roads Authority concerning the building of a new stretch of highway
• Representing a Chinese construction company in district court proceedings in connection with the building of one of Europe’s longest suspension bridges
• Representing one of Norway’s leading construction companies in connection with the building of an aluminum production facility
• Representing a leading European technical sub-contractor in a dispute with the builder in connection with the construction of a data center
• Representing one of Oslo's premier property developers in a dispute with the contractor in connection with one of Norway's largest residential projects
• Counsel in dispute involving serious defects in connection with the building of one of Norway’s largest football stadiums
• Representing a municipality in a dispute with a contractor before the Court of Appeals involving claims for damages due to faulty engineering in connection with the building of a new swimming facility and water park
• Representing the main contractor in a dispute with a subcontractor before the Court of Appeals involving the building of a dam and power station
• Representing a leading European technical contractor in connection with the building of Norway’s new national museum
• Representing a UK engineering company in a dispute with the builder concerning the construction of a new tram system
• Representing a main contractor in a Court of Appeals case against a builder concerning the termination of a contract due to failure to provide adequate financing

Energy, Oil & Gas

I have worked on several forms of energy related projects, both traditional oil and gas projects and renewables. I also have experience with cases concerning storage and distribution of petroleum products and decommissioning of oil production equipment in the North Sea.

Specific cases include:

• Counsel for one of Scandinavia’s largest construction companies in a dispute with builder concerning claims for additional payment and counterclaims concerning delay in connection with the construction of one of Norway’s largest wind farms
• Counsel for one of Norway’s leading construction companies in dispute with sub-contractor concerning claims for additional payment and counterclaims in connection with the building of a wind farm
• Counsel for one of Norway’s largest oil distribution companies in a dispute with the government builder concerning liability for pollution
• Counsel for an international oil services company in a comprehensive dispute concerning the decommissioning of oil production equipment in the North Sea
• Counsel for one of the largest oil companies in the Nordics in an arbitration concerning the storage of oil and gas products and liability for contamination at Norway’s largest storage facility

Shipping & Maritime

The types of maritime disputes I have worked have involved the building of ships and other offshore vessels and installations. I am familiar with the Norwegian standard contract for shipbuilding, SHIP 2000, as well as various BIMCO standard contracts.

Examples of cases:

• Representing a Norwegian aquaculture company in a dispute with a Chinese shipyard concerning the building of a fish farming installation
• Acting as counsel for a Norwegian aquaculture and shipping company in a dispute before the Court of Appeals concerning priority of ship mortgages
  

Distribution Agreements and other Commercial Contracts

My experience also comprises disputes concerning distribution agreements and other commercial contract disputes, including cases concerning termination, damages and liability for breach of contract and requests for specific performance.

Examples of cases:

• Representing a Norwegian distributor of a soft drink in a dispute with the supplier concerning claims for damages and other forms of payment under the distribution agreement
• Representing a landlord in the Court of Appeals a dispute with a lessee concerning a claim for increase of rent for lease of office space following refurbishment of the premises
• Representing one of Scandinavia’s largest banks in a Court of Appeals case in connection with the termination of an agreement for distribution of insurance products
• Representing a partnership offering advisory services in a case before the Court of Appeals concerning claims for remuneration in connection with a partner’s termination of his partnership

Mergers, Acquisitions & Shareholder Disputes

I have first-hand experience with post-M&A disputes and disputes concerning share purchase agreements, including claims for breach of representation and warranties and claims concerning adjustment of purchase price and earn out claims. I have also handled company law disputes, including claims concerning the rights of first refusal and validity of decisions by company bodies such as distribution of dividends, share capital increases and decreases and share buy-backs. My experience also includes cases regarding liability for board members and management.

Specific cases include:

• Representing a minority shareholder in a Supreme Court case challenging the validity of a resolution by the general meeting regarding distribution of dividends due to failure to give proper notice of the general meeting
• Legal counsel for Norwegian mining company against a shareholder concerning the shareholder’s failure to make required payments in connection with a share capital increase
• Representing a shareholder against a limited liability company in a Supreme Court case concerning scrutiny of the company
• Representing a minority shareholder against a majority shareholder in a Court of Appeals case concerning a pre-emptive right to acquire shares in connection with a share transaction
• Representing a company before the Court of Appeals in a claim for damages against a managing director due to failure to disclose relevant information in connection with an acquisition of the shares in the company
• Legal counsel for a Swedish listed company in a dispute concerning the sale of the shares in a Norwegian IT company to a Danish buyer