Réttur - Aðalsteinsson & Partners

Réttur – Aðalsteinsson & Partners

Offices: Klapparstígur 25-27, 3rd floor, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: http://rettur.is/

Tel: +354 547 2000

Chairman: Ragnar Aðalsteinsson

Managing Partner: Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson

Number of partners: 4

Number of lawyers: 14

Languages: Icelandic, English, Danish, French, Norwegian, and Swedish

Firm Overview

Réttur traces its origins back to 1969 when Ragnar Aðalsteinsson, one of Iceland’s foremost attorneys, established his private practice in Reykjavík. Today, the firm is led by partners Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson, Supreme Court Attorney, Sigrún Ingibjörg Gísladóttir, Appeal Court Attorney, Oddur Ástráðsson, District Court Attorney, and Stefán Örn Stefánsson, District Court Attorney. Additionally, former partners, Ragnar Aðalsteinsson, Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson, and Védís Eva Guðmundsdóttir, continue to serve as counsel.

Recognized internationally for its professionalism and excellence, Réttur core practice areas include litigation and dispute resolution, constitutional- and administrative law, insolvency law, tort law, commercial and corporate law, M&A, contract law, intellectual property law, employment law, banking and finance, capital markets law, EEA & competition law, tax law, and real estate & construction law.

Main Areas of Practice

Litigation and Dispute Resolution:

Réttur is a leading litigation firm in Iceland, consistently ranked at the top in this field. The team is led by Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson and Oddur Ástráðsson, and represents both domestic and international clients before all levels of Icelandic courts, the firm regularly handles high-profile cases and provides expert opinions to the media. Réttur also assists with settlements, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution..

Commercial and Corporate Law & M&A:

Réttur advises businesses, financial institutions, and investors on M&A, shareholder disputes, stock listings, restructuring, due diligence, contract drafting, cross-border transactions, and debt collection. Led by Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson and Stefán Örn Stefánsson, the team is vastly experienced in complex corporate matters.

Human Rights:

With a legacy rooted in human rights advocacy, Réttur continues the pioneering work of its founder, Ragnar Aðalsteinsson. The firm represents clients before Icelandic courts and the European Court of Human Rights, upholding fundamental rights and freedoms.

Insolvency and Restructuring:

Réttur has extensive expertise in debt restructuring, bankruptcy estate management, rescission litigation, and international financial institution wind-downs.

Intellectual Property:

With decades of experience, Réttur protects intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and scientific research. The firm advises major cultural institutions, artists, and rights-holder organizations, handling contract reviews, settlements, and litigation.

Property Rights:

The firm’s attorneys have vast experience in litigating private and public land disputes as well as other disputes arising from interference with private property rights. Furthermore, Réttur’s attorneys have written numerous academic articles in this area of law.

Administrative Law:

Réttur has wide-ranging experience in administrative proceedings with official authorities, independent administrative committees and the Althing Ombudsman. Réttur‘s creative, comprehensive and client-oriented approach to government decisions continuously yields excellent results.

Criminal Defense:

All defendants are entitled to a fair trial. Réttur considers defending clients an important part of the role of the attorney. Réttur’s expertise in human rights law plays an intricate role in this area. Réttur has handled various and diverse cases ranging from complex commercial and economic criminal charges, to highly publicized court cases such as the so-called “Reykjavik Nine” and the “Deportation Protesters”.

Personal Injury and Other Torts:

Réttur has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of personal injury and other liability claims, including accident claims, accident insurance claims, insurance disputes, short- or long-term disability benefit disputes and accident benefits disputes. Réttur’s attorneys continuously work with large international law firms and insurance companies, to secure cross-border tort claims, in and out of court.

Immigration Law:

Réttur’s expertise extends to the legislation on foreign nationals, immigrants and asylum seekers. The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on being committed to the protection of foreign nationals in Iceland. The firm’s attorneys frequently work on applications for Icelandic citizenship as well as applications for non-residents who are interested in acquiring a residence or work permit, or investing in Iceland.

Employment law:

Réttur advises employers and employees on all aspects of employment law, including employment contracts, workplace disputes, wrongful termination claims, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory compliance.

Banking, Finance, and Capital Markets:

Réttur provides legal services to financial institutions, investment funds, and corporate clients in the field of banking, finance, and capital markets. The firm assists in regulatory compliance, lending transactions, financial restructuring, securities offerings, and capital markets transactions.

EEA & Competition:

Réttur advises in relation to EEA and competition law, advising clients on antitrust compliance, merger control, state aid, and market regulations.

Tax Law:

Réttur offers comprehensive tax law services, advising clients on a wide array of tax-related matters.

Real Estate & Construction:

Réttur assists clients with real estate transactions, land use regulations, construction contracts, zoning disputes, and development projects. The firm represents developers, property owners, and investors in litigation, negotiations, and regulatory compliance matters.