Renowned as ‘professional’ with ‘extensive knowledge’, the competition and EEA practice at LOGOS handles a wide range of complex and high-value matters, including matters related to abuse of market dominance, unlawful cooperation of undertakings, state aid, and public procurement. Under the leadership of Helga Óttarsdóttir and Gunnar Sturluson, the practice assists both domestic and international clients in litigation before EFTA Surveillance Authority, the European Commission, the EFTA Court, and the European Court of Justice. Óttarsdóttir is an expert in European law, utilising her experience from the EFTA Surveillance Authority, while Sturluson has extensive experience in competition law. Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson is an experienced litigator and has handled many large-scale competition cases in Iceland. Key associate Vilhjálmur Herrera Þórisson provides competition law, EEA/EU regulatory compliance, and legal advisory services.
EEA and competition in Iceland
LOGOS
Praxisleiter:
Helga Óttarsdóttir; Gunnar Sturluson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Halldór Brynjar Halldórsson; Vilhjálmur Herrera Þórisson
Referenzen
‘The team is professional has extensive knowledge and very well connected.’
‘The team are specialised in the every aspect of law services we need, we have enjoyed the advice of Vilhjálmur Herrera Þórisson in competition law.’
Kernmandanten
Eik fasteignafélag hf.
Financial Times MarketsOrigo hf.
ReportEimskipafelag Islands hf.
EimskipArion Bank hf.
Stock AnalysisSiminn hf.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Ardian’s funds on an acquisition of a data centre operator Verne from Digital 9, which uses only renewable energy and minimises the environmental impact.
- Advised Hampidjan hf. on the acquisition of the Norwegian company Mörenot AS, operating in the same industries in around 30 locations around the world.
- Advised Siminn hf. in its claim for annulment of a Competition Authority’s decision imposing a fine of ISK500m on the company for alleged competition law infringements in its broadcasting from the English Premier League in Iceland.
ADVEL Attorneys at Law
ADVEL Attorneys at Law has extensive knowledge of EEA issues, competition law, and state aid work, handling matters before the Icelandic Competition Authority, Icelandic courts, and the EFTA Surveillance Authority. Practice leader Dóra Sif Tynes assists public institutions and companies with EEA and EU law mandates and brings extensive litigation experience from the Community Courts and the EFTA Court. Hrafnhildur Kristinsdóttir rejoined the practice in 2024 following a seven-year tenure at the EFTA Surveillance Authority in Brussels. She has extensive expertise in European and administrative law, public procurements, and judicial procedures.
Praxisleiter:
Dóra Sif Tynes
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Hrafnhildur Kristinsdóttir
Kernmandanten
Arion Bank
The Icelandic Government
Vodafone
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) in a case regarding a complaint to the EFTA Surveillance Authority related to alleged illegal state aid to FARICE for the rollout of the IRIS submarine cable.
- Advised Arion bank in a case concerning action for damages related to breach of competition law in the field of payment services.
- Advised Sýn hf. (Vodafone Iceland) in the negotiations of a cooperation agreement with Viaplay Sweden.
Juris
Juris provides specialist advice to large corporations and commercial clients on competition law, as well as handling cross-border projects finance work involving EEA issues, state aid considerations, GDPR obligations, and EEA agricultural policy. The practice is co-led by Andri Árnason, who is one of the leading Icelandic litigators in the field of competition law, and Stefán A. Svensson, who is well versed within both transactional and contentious competition and other EEA matters, such as EEA financial and consumer law. Hildur Þórarinsdóttir was promoted into partnership in May 2024.
Praxisleiter:
Andri Árnason; Stefán A. Svensson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Finnur Magnússon; Þórarinn Þorgeinsson; Hildur Þórarinsdóttir
Referenzen
‘I have worked a lot with the amazing team at Juris. I have to say that I could not be happier with their services.’
‘The service at Juris is always very professional, their work is thorough and with out exception, exceptional. They have a great eye for details, are very professional and always quick to respond to any issues. They are “all in” with every matter.’
‘If given a grade, they get ten out of ten.’
Kernmandanten
Arion Bank hf.
Landsbankinn hf.
Kvika banki hf.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Landsbankinn hf. in cases regarding the legality of variable interest rates in consumer mortgages.
- Advised Olink Holding on Icelandic merger control in its acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
- Advised Mjólkursamsalan on Iceland’s draft new agricultural policy.
Lex Law Offices
Lex Law Offices, recognised as a ‘highly motivated team with excellent knowledge of EEA and competition law’, represents clients before the EU and EEA Courts as well as the EFTA Surveillance Authority. Under the leadership of Eyvindur Sólnes and Lára Herborg Ólafsdóttir, the practice also offers legal services related to merger control, including filing notifications, and providing representation before the Icelandic Competition Authority. Sólnes is a competition law specialist, while Ólafsdóttir focuses on information technology law and data protection. Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir is well versed within competition and corporate law.
Praxisleiter:
Eyvindur Sólne; LáraHerborg Ólafsdóttir
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Guðrún Lilja Sigurðardóttir; Eva Margrét Ævarsdóttir; Kristinn Ingi Jónsson
Referenzen
‘Highly motivated team with excellent knowledge EEA and Competition law. Skilled in working with broad groups of clients from different academic backgrounds and disciplines.’
‘I would like to mention Eva Margrét Ævarsdóttir who is a valuable partner at Lex, and excellent leader of her team, broad knowledge and experience. Has always been up to speed on recent developments in the field and gives timely and accurate answers.’
‘Lex Law Offices’ EEA and Competition practice is highly capable, combining deep expertise with a practical approach to navigating complex regulatory and competition matters. They are fair in pricing, responsive, and efficient, utilising strong technology platforms to enhance communication and streamline processes. Their focus on innovation and diversity further solidifies their reputation as a leading practice in EEA and competition law.’
Kernmandanten
Heimar hf. (formerly Reginn hf.)
Festi hf.
Landsbankinn hf.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised with notification of merger involving Heimar hf.’s public takeover bid of all shares in Eik hf., another company in the real-estate and property development sector.
- Advised Festi hf. in connection with it acquiring all shares in Lyfja ehf., a company that operates pharmacies around Iceland.
- Advised Heimar hf (previously Reginn hf.) in relation to request to the EU Taxonomy stakeholder Request Mechanism (EUTSRM).
Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners
Réttur – Adalsteinsson & Partners excels in EEA and international human rights law, with significant experience representing cases before the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the European Court of Human Rights. Oddur Ástráðsson, who leads the EEA and competition practice, specialises in litigation, tax, and labour law. Key member Védís Eva Guðmundsdóttir provides expert advice on EEA law, focusing on safeguarding the rights of individuals and companies benefiting from the internal market’s four freedoms.
Praxisleiter:
Oddur Ástráðsson
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Védís Eva Guðmundsdóttir; Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson
Kernmandanten
Arion Bank hf.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Teleios Capital Partners LLC
Icelandic Nature Conservation Association
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised multiple landowners (Skagastál ehf., At Iceland ehf., et al.) in cases brought to the EFTA Surveillance Authority and the ECtHR regarding property rights.
- Advised landowners (Reykjaprent ehf., et al.) in a dispute regarding a planned transmission line on their lands, including court representation and potential requests for an ESA advisory opinion on possible violations of the EEA Agreement.
- Advised the Icelandic Nature Conservation Association in its opposition to whaling in Iceland, which included challenging the licensing of a whaling company and filing a complaint with the EFTA Surveillance Authority regarding potential violations of the EEA Agreement related to animal welfare, food safety, and carbon obligations.