We are Réttur

Réttur provides high-quality legal service in most major areas of law. The firm provides assistance to both local and international companies, individuals, institutions and municipalities.

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A solid foundation

A solid foundation

Réttur traces its origins back to 1969 when Ragnar Aðalsteinsson, one of Iceland’s leading attorneys, and the firm’s senior partner established his private practice in Reykjavík. Aðalsteinsson is a pioneer in the field of human rights in Iceland.

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Right is right

Right is right

For many years, the firm has been ranked as one of Iceland's leading firms in dispute resolution by major rating agencies such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Moreover, Réttur takes part in the international cooperation of the United Nations on social responsibility, environmental and equality issues.

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At Réttur, we take pride in providing our clients with legal services of the highest quality.

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What is Réttur?

Réttur traces its origins back to 1969 when Ragnar Aðalsteinsson, one of Iceland’s leading attorneys started his private practice in Reykjavík. Today, Ragnar’s partners at Réttur include; Supreme Court Attorney, Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson, Appeal Court Attorney, Sigrún Ingibjörg Gísladóttir and District Court Attorney, Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson.

Réttur is internationally recognized for professionalism and the highest quality of legal practice. For the past years Réttur has been ranked as a top firm by The Legal 500 and Chambers, which assess and review the best law firms worldwide. The firm’s attorneys have extensive experience in litigation and have worked on complex cases in numerous areas of law.

Réttur’s main areas of expertise include; litigation, constitutional law and human rights, insolvency law, tort law, competition law, commercial and company law, contract law, M&A, copyright law and property rights. For decades Réttur has been in close cooperation with international law firms in the UK, Scandinavia, Germany and the United States, which can provide Réttur’s clients with appropriate advice regarding their legal situation in the particular country.

Main Practice Areas

Human Rights
The ideological basis for Réttur is the protection of the human rights. Ragnar Adalsteinsson, founder and owner of Réttur has for decades been considered a pioneer in terms of human rights protection in Iceland. Réttur is focused and committed to preserving this heritage to the utmost degree and has inter alia undertaken the teaching of human rights law at universities in Iceland. Réttur has vast experience in pleading cases both before the domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights.
Litigation
Réttur’s litigation team has excellent experience, the firm constantly ranking as a leader in this field in Iceland. The firm offers first-rate services for Icelandic and international clients, before the District Courts, the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court of Iceland. The firm regularly acts for stakeholders in high profile cases, including providing expert opinions for the media. Réttur further assists clients with settlements, negotiations and alternative forms of dispute resolution. The firm is continuously ranked by the Legal500 and Chambers as a leader among Icelandic law firms in the areas of litigation and dispute resolution. See more here and here.
Commercial and Corporate Law
Réttur has vast experience in the field of commercial and corporate law and has represented large and small companies, financial institutions, investment funds, professional investors and individual shareholders. Our commercial and corporate law team led by Sigurður Örn Hilmarsson, leading Supreme Court Attorney, provides legal advice on matters such as Mergers & Acquisitions, company and shareholder disputes, listing on regulated stock exchanges, corporate- and financial restructuring, due diligence, general representation of companies, shareholders and investors, large-scale business negotiations, the formation and dissolution of legal entities, drafting of contracts and other transactional documents, international trade and other cross-border transactions and debt collections. See review by the Legal500 and Chambers.
Capital Controls and Foreign Exchange
Réttur has provided advice on capital controls and currency issues since the implementation of capital controls in Iceland in late 2008. The firm’s attorneys have assisted a vast number of foreign creditors in relation to their investment in Iceland, as well as providing assistance to investors in relation to investments and overseas loans.
Insolvency and Restructuring of Debt
The attorneys at Réttur have extensive experience in providing legal advice on the re-structuring of debt, managing bankrupt estates, litigating rescission cases and other aspects relating to the insolvency of companies, as well as natural persons. Furthermore, the firm’s attorneys have vast experience in giving advice in relation to the international winding-up proceedings of financial institutions. See review by The Legal500 and Chambers.
Intellectual Property and Trademark
The attorneys at Réttur have extensive expertise in the area of intellectual property and trademarks, having successfully worked in those fields for decades. We specialize in the protection of all intellectual property rights such as literature, visual artwork, inventions, scientific research, trademarks and patents. Réttur provides advice to Iceland’s largest theatres, art museums, numerous artists and the Writers Union of Iceland among many other rightsholder organizations. Reviewing contracts, settling and litigating IP cases is a large part of Réttur’s attorneys’ work. See review by The Legal500 and Chambers.
Property Rights
The firm’s attorneys have vast experience in litigating private and public land disputes as well as other disputes arising from interference with private property rights. Furthermore, Réttur’s attorneys have written numerous academic articles in this area of law.
Administrative Law
Réttur has wide-ranging experience in administrative proceedings with official authorities, independent administrative committees and the Althing Ombudsman. Réttur‘s creative, comprehensive and client-oriented approach to government decisions continuously yields excellent results.
Criminal Defense
All defendants are entitled to a fair trial. Réttur considers defending clients an important part of the role of the attorney. Réttur’s expertise in human rights law plays an intricate role in this area. Réttur has handled various and diverse cases ranging from complex commercial and economic criminal charges, to highly publicized court cases such as the so-called “Reykjavik Nine” and the “Deportation Protesters”.
Personal Injury and Other Torts
Réttur has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of personal injury and other liability claims, including accident claims, accident insurance claims, insurance disputes, short- or long-term disability benefit disputes and accident benefits disputes. Réttur’s attorneys continuously work with large international law firms and insurance companies, to secure cross-border tort claims, in and out of court.
Immigration and Refugee Law
Réttur’s expertise extends to the legislation on foreign nationals, immigrants and asylum seekers. The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on being committed to the protection of foreign nationals in Iceland. The firm’s attorneys frequently work on applications for Icelandic citizenship as well as applications for non-residents who are interested in acquiring a residence or work permit, or investing in Iceland.

Further Information