Competition/Antitrust
Europe Guide 2024 : Norway
Band 1
About
Provided by BAHR
BAHR’s competition team is among the largest and most experienced in Norway and is a market leader in complex merger control work. We have assisted many prominent national and international players in obtaining approval from the Norwegian Competition Authority, the European Commission and other competition authorities and are regularly asked to bring our heavyweight experience to bear in coordinating filings across multiple foreign jurisdictions as well as in Norway.
Our broader competition expertise covers the field of competition damages claims following decisions made by the authorities – typically in connection with abuse of dominant position – as well as handling cartel investigations, and establishing audit and compliance programmes for clients. Over recent years, BAHR has also established an impressive reputation for state aid work and for complex public procurement cases, representing both procurers and tenderers in complaints before the Complaints Board for Public Procurement as well as in court proceedings.
Chambers Review
BAHR continues to be widely regarded as having one of the leading competition law practices in Norway. The team is particularly well known for its ability to advise on high-value, multi-jurisdictional merger clearance filings, including those requiring a phase II investigation. The law firm is also strong in behavioural matters, representing clients in Norwegian Competition Authority (NCA) investigations and market inquiries, as well as leniency applications. Team members have further experience in state aid matters and contentious and non-contentious public procurement mandates. BAHR's prestigious clientele stems from a range of sectors, including energy and retail, as well as state-owned companies.
Work Highlights
- BAHR represented REMA 1000 in challenges to NCA decisions following its 'price hunter' investigation into the Norwegian grocery sector.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"BAHR was able to draw on just the right local resources immediately, in addition to having very good EU competition law insight itself."
"The BAHR competition law team are highly knowledgeable of all relevant developments both on a national and a European level. They deliver tailor-made and ready-to-use advice based on their in-depth knowledge of our business."
"BAHR was able to draw on just the right local resources immediately, in addition to having very good EU competition law insight itself."
"The BAHR competition law team are highly knowledgeable of all relevant developments both on a national and a European level. They deliver tailor-made and ready-to-use advice based on their in-depth knowledge of our business."
Notable Practitioners
Helge Stemshaug is highly regarded in the Norwegian market for his broad practice, which covers advising clients on merger clearance notifications and representing them in sector inquiries and leniency applications.
"He is knowledgeable and easy to work with."
"Helge Stemshaug is good at getting mergers through."
"Helge Stemshaug is very experienced and has a very good overview of the case law. He is a very good lawyer."
"He is one of the best for merger control."
Beret Sundet is particularly noted for her ability to handle multi-jurisdictional merger clearance filings, including advising clients on phase II proceedings. She further represents clients in investigations into alleged abuses of dominance and in state aid matters.
"I know Beret Sundet has a broad knowledge in competition issues, so she can take that into account when advising."
"We appreciate her insight into competition issues across Europe, and her understanding of processes and exactly where the limits lie and the possibilities are, and she is able to deliver these with significant authority when dealing with clients."
Arne Torsten Andersen often assists public sector clients with compliance with public procurement regulations. He also represents clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in challenges to procurement decisions.
"He is very knowledgeable, always on time and brings a good perspective. Whenever we have procurement issues in Norway I would go to Arne."
Ranked Lawyers at
BAHR
Norway