Brynjar Østgård

Brynjar Østgård has been a partner at Advokatfirmaet Østgård since 2006. He advises on a broad range of commercial law matters, with a particular focus on legal advisory services and dispute resolution. He also has extensive experience as counsel in complex civil litigation before the Norwegian courts, including a number of cases before the Supreme Court of Norway. In addition, he has acted as defence counsel in several major financial crime cases.

He has particular expertise in port and harbour law and has, over many years, advised a number of Norwegian ports on matters relating to the exercise of public authority, navigational issues, commercial port operations, and issues concerning port property and infrastructure. He has also published a commentary on the Norwegian Harbour and Fairways Act of 2009. In addition, he has served as Chair of the Board of the Port of Tromsø.

Brynjar has acted in several major court cases concerning the particular legal issues relating to land rights in Finnmark, including reindeer husbandry and other Sámi rights. In this field, he has appeared before the Supreme Court both in plenary session and as a member of an enlarged panel.

He has also acted in cases concerning Svalbard and the Svalbard Treaty.

For many years, Brynjar has held elected positions within the Norwegian Bar Association, including as a member of its Representative Council and as a regional chair. He currently chairs the Norwegian Bar Association’s Legislative Committee on Reindeer Husbandry and Sámi Law and is a member of its Legislative Committee on Democracy and Constitutional Matters.

He has also served with the Norwegian military prosecution authority as a reserve Assistant Judge Advocate designated for mobilisation.