Gjelsten Herlofsen Advokatfirma AS

Maritime law. Shipping, offshore and energy law.

Gaute Gjelsten has more than 25 years of experience specialising in international shipping and offshore law, including marine and energy, insurance law.

Gjelsten has handled significant claims arising out of marine and offshore casualties, including i.a. jurisdiction, choice of laws, limitation and limitation fund proceedings. He represents the private sector against the Norwegian State in relation to major marine recourse actions. Gjelsten for Nordic and international insurers concerning H&M, War, LOH, cargo, charterers' liability, general liability and P&I.

Gjelsten has experience acting on complex offshore and onshore claims concerning CAR and operational policies, reinsurance and coverage disputes in the energy sector.

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

In June 2025, Gjelsten was appointed by the Norwegian Government to head a Law Committee with the mandate to review existing maritime legislation and propose amendments reflecting developments in the industry, including digitalisation, green transition, and evolving safety standards.

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).

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

English

Norwegian Bar Association

2000 Practicing Certificate

1997 Cand. Jur. at University of Oslo