Gaute Gjelsten
Gaute Gjelsten has 25 years of experience specialising in international shipping and offshore law, including marine and energy, insurance law. Gjelsten has extensive experience in handling significant claims arising out of marine and offshore casualties, including i.a. groundings, fires, wreck removals, collisions, salvage, clean-up operations regarding oil spill/other pollutions, limitation of liability and limitation fund proceedings. He has acted for insurers and owners against the Norwegian State in the majority of the significant recourse claims made in Norway, and handles jurisdiction and conflict of laws disputes.
Gaute is a leading lawyer in the energy insurance sector and he regularly advises on substantial losses under construction and operational policies, all-risks covers, reinsurance and general coverage disputes. He advises London and international insurers in complex on-shore and offshore claims in these sectors. He has further experience from handling claims under hull and machinery covers, mortgagee's interest, war, loss of hire, cargo, charterers' liability, general liability and protection and indemnity (P&I) policies for Nordic and international insurers.
He has extensive litigation experience before the Norwegian courts and in arbitration proceedings, and is admitted to the Norwegian Supreme Court.
Gaute is recognised as a market leading Norwegian offshore and shipping lawyer and is top ranked in Legal 500 ("Recommended Individual") and Chambers and Partners (ranked in Band 1).
Testimonials:
“Gaute Gjelsten is a deeply experienced lawyer with a proven capacity to handle complex insurance or shipping disputes.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023 (shipping litigation)
“Gaute Gjelsten is well known for being very experienced in marine and offshore insurance related issues and complex claims.‘’
Legal 500, 2022 (maritime law)
“Gaute Gjelsten is the main name for shipping and offshore work.”
Legal 500, 2022 (insurance)
“Gaute Gjelsten is highly regarded for his litigation and arbitration expertise.”
Legal 500, 2022 (offshore construction and shipbuilding)