Gaute Gjelsten

Practice Areas

Gaute has 25 years of experience specialising in international shipping and offshore law, including marine and energy, insurance law. He handles large claims arising out of marine and offshore casualties acting for insurers and owners. Gaute acts in complex jurisdiction and conflict of laws issues/disputes. He advises international insurers in complex on-shore and offshore claims in the energy insurance sector, including substantial losses under construction and operational policies, all-risks covers, reinsurance and general coverage disputes. Gaute acts for Nordic and international insurers under protection and indemnity (P&I) policies, hull and machinery covers, mortgagee's interest, war, loss of hire, cargo and charterers' liability insurers.

Gaute is admitted to the Norwegian Supreme Court and has extensive litigation experience before the Norwegian courts and in arbitration proceedings.

Career

2022 - Present:

Partner, Gjelsten Herlofsen Advokatfirma AS

2005 - 2022:

Partner, Wikborg Rein, Oslo

2003 - 2004:

Senior Associate, Wikborg Rein, Oslo

2000 - 2002:

Japan Representative, Wikborg Rein, Kobe, Japan

2000 - 2002:

Norwegian Consul-General, Kobe/Osaka, Japan

1998 - 1999:

Associate, Wikborg Rein, Oslo/London

1995 - 1997:

Lecturer on contract, sale of goods and administrative law, University of Oslo

1994 - 1995:

Research assistant, Institute of Private Law, University of Oslo

Work Highlights

Gaute has successfully represented clients in a number of reported cases, including i.a. MV "Server" (Supreme Court - HR-2023-1157-A), MV "Full City" (Supreme Court-HR-2018-1260-A), CS "Havila Capella", and MV "Kvitnos".

Gjelsten has assisted insurers and owners in significant marine accidents in Norwegian Waters, i.a. the grounding and capsizing of MV "Rocknes", capsizing and loss of anchor handler "Bourbon Dolphin", fire and salvage of oil tanker "Fjord Champion", fire and flooding of Coastal Steamer "Nordlys", fire and salvage of trawler "Bukhta Naezdnik" and grounding and loss of MV "Server".