Wikborg Rein’s Crisis Management Tool is now ready for download. The tool provides practical, immediate and step-by[1]step guidance in case of various types of crises arising as a result of unannounced inspections and controls by the police or other public authorities.

The UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“the ECCTA”) was formally approved on 26 October 2023. Among the most significant reforms introduced by the ECCTA are the establishment of ‘failure to prevent fraud’ as a new UK corporate criminal offence, and a reform of the UK identification doctrine expanding the extent of corporate criminal liability for economic crimes. In this article, we highlight the details of these two key aspects of the Act, and explain how they will affect Norwegian companies with operations or subsidiaries in the UK.

All companies face the risk of cyber-attacks. In general, the question is when and not if an attack will strike. Companies should therefore strengthen their cyber resilience and implement robust measures to be prepared to handle all aspects of an attack if/when it occurs.

On 14 December 2023, the European Parliament and the European Council informally agreed on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (the "CS3D" or the "directive") obliging firms to integrate their human rights and environmental impact into their management systems. The directive has been called a historic breakthrough in the way companies are now responsible for potential abuse in their value chain. Subsequent to the negotiations, the Lead MEP said that this was a starting point for shaping the economy of the future.

A report published on 26 October 2023 outlines the increasing use of sanctions as a tool for protecting human rights, while highlighting the gaps in enforcement of sanctions against Russia, with a focus primarily on Europe. The report is a collaborative product by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and risk analysis company Corisk, with contributions from Wikborg Rein and consultancy agency Rud Pedersen.

The massive and unprecedented sanctions imposed against Russia have required significant efforts to manage the risks and impact of sanctions, particularly in view of creative attempts to circumvent by some parties. In this article we explain why you should update your sanctions clause, and how to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

On 7 December 2022, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, outlined a proposal for a ninth package of sanctions.

Anti-Money Laundering

Competition Law

Corporate Criminal Liability

Defence and Security

Dispute Resolution

Environment, Climate, and Sustainability

ESG, compliance and risk management

Financial Regulation

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Investigation and Crisis Management

Responsible business and human rights

Sanctions and Export Controls

Partner

Elisabeth Roscher is a partner at Wikborg Rein's Oslo office and part of the firm's ESG, compliance and crisis management team.

Elisabeth has more than 35 years of varied legal work experience from public and private sectors. She has led the investigation and compliance department at EY Norway and was previously a senior public prosecutor at Økokrim with responsibility for investigating and prosecuting large and complex economic criminal cases. Elisabeth has significant litigation experience, both civil and criminal, and has prosecuted Økokrim cases in all court instances.

Elisabeth's professional focus today is particularly on the following:
- Economic crime and corporate criminal liability
- Contentious regulatory  
- investigations and crisis management, including strategic advice and liaising with authorities across multiple jurisdictions
- Corporate governance, corporate compliance systems and board ddvisory

Elisabeth has board experience and has completed the Norwegian Police University College and the Norwegian Police Directorate's executive management program.

Elisabeth is recognized by Chambers Europe and Legal 500.

Oslo

Board member, Clarksons Securities AS

Member, The Norwegian Bar Association's Human Rights Committee

Member of the public Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Norwegian Parliament to investigate the fire on the vessel Scandinavian Star

Band 2

Leading partners

No. 1

Leading Individuals

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Elisabeth has extensive experience in both pleading and prosecuting cases before Norwegian courts, including several Økokrim cases before the Norwegian Supreme Court.