Report according to the Transparency Act

1. Company information

Company name: Law firm Halvorsen & Co AS
Organisation number: 992 833 424
Address: Storgata 36, 2000 Lillestrøm
Contact person for the report: Øyvind Kilstad, Chairman of the Board
Email address of the contact person: [email protected]
Date: 24.03.2025
Reporting period: 01.01.2025 - 31.12.202

2. The company

Halvorsen & Co AS (HCO) is a Norwegian law firm headquartered in Lillestrøm, in the county of Akershus.
HCO operates as a law firm in accordance with the Norwegian Courts of Justice Act and associated regulations. The General Meeting, which is the company's highest authority, consists of the company's partners (owners) at any given time. The Board of Directors currently consists of seven members, four men and three women, and is elected annually. Day-to-day management is carried out by the managing partner/general manager, who has responsibility and authority for day-to-day management in accordance with frameworks and instructions from the board.

HCO is a medium-sized national law firm with 7 partners, all of whom are lawyers, and 25 senior lawyers, solicitors and associates. In addition, the company has an administration with tasks that support the company's operations, development and production, which currently consists of 8 employees. The company also has part-time student employees and a programme for trainees and student internships.

The company's premises are adapted for the disabled. The company does not conduct activities that pollute the external environment.

HCO's customers are typical:
- Norwegian and Norwegian-owned small and medium-sized enterprises
- Private individuals from the local community, mainly living in Akershus/Oslo, but also the rest of the country
- Condominiums and housing cooperatives
- The public sector (trustee and assistance assignments)

HCO has a clear attitude to social responsibility, and is involved in volunteering etc. locally and organises an annual sustainability day.

3. Internal control system

HCO is ISO-certified according to standard INS-EN ISO 9001:2015 and has an established system for management and internal control, including a quality manual with appendices. The company's documents also cover internal rules and procedures for labour relations, supplier agreements, diversity and equality, and are therefore a relevant and useful tool for mapping and risk assessment of conditions under the Transparency Act.

HCO shall comply with its obligations under the Transparency Act and shall operate responsibly with regard to the fulfilment of human rights and decent working conditions. All employees are familiar with and trained in the management system. Expectations regarding compliance with basic human rights and decent working conditions for suppliers and business partners are laid down in our procedures and are checked in connection with procurements.

The procedure provides general information about the Transparency Act and its scope, the company's work with the Transparency Act and whistleblowing channels. The procedure also provides information about the whistleblowing channel that will help to uncover any negative consequences and significant risks, and where information requirements should be directed.

HCO shall ask how suppliers work with these issues in relation to their subcontractors where this is considered appropriate and feasible. Where HCO considers it necessary, appropriate and feasible based on the risk assessments, self-reporting shall be used where suppliers and business associates are considered to have to answer a survey that addresses topics related to the ten principles of the UN Global Compact, ethical guidelines, mapping of suppliers and production countries, self-assessment of risk in countries from which they make purchases, management systems and certifications, labour rights, etc.

4. The due diligence assessment

HCO has carried out a due diligence, where we have assessed our own business, our customers and our suppliers.

HCO advises and assists customers in a variety of cases and situations, and in this work promotes fundamental human rights and decent working conditions. The framework of the counselling is the legislation in force at any given time and the relevant legal rules derived from this. Our lawyers are members of the Norwegian Bar Association and follow the rules of legal ethics. Internal training is also provided in both the ethical rules and other matters, in line with the requirements for ongoing continuing education.

HCO employees enjoy competitive terms and conditions, the working environment is egalitarian and we strive for a healthy and good workplace.

Our work on the due diligence started with an overall analysis and information gathering of our own operations, suppliers and business partners. The purpose was to identify the areas that pose the highest risk of negative impact on fundamental human rights and decent working conditions. Our own operations consist of employees at our offices. We purchase external services for our own operations, such as renting office space, IT services, auditing, etc. These are therefore suppliers to our business.

The information was obtained from the suppliers, by searching their websites, public information and knowledge and familiarity with the suppliers through experience and co-operation. We have also reviewed statements from relevant suppliers who are themselves subject to the Transparency Act. All of our suppliers operate primarily in Norway, are subject to Norwegian law, and conduct their business in accordance with known rules. In the dialogue with our suppliers, we reconcile and establish expectations and requirements. In the event of any discrepancies, we will endeavour to achieve correction.

5. Summary and conclusion

The review shows that our operations have limited risk of negative impacts on fundamental human rights and decent work. We have not identified any actual negative impacts or significant risk of negative impacts through our due diligence. We will follow up on any reports of possible violations of fundamental human rights and decent work that we may receive.

The due diligence report has been approved by the company's Board of Directors. The assessments and measures identified are part of the existing management system and routines. All employees are made aware of our obligations and their role in contributing to implementation through the company's Code of Conduct.

The report will be published on the company's website. A revised version of the report will be prepared in the event of significant changes in the assumptions for this assessment, otherwise an annual revision will be carried out.