At Arntzen de Besche, we are strongly committed to our work related to promote equality and prevent discrimination in our own operations, and to ensure that requirements concerning HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) are fulfilled. We are committed to human rights both through our workplace practices, but also through our impact as a law firm that advises businesses, NGOs and private citizens.

We have adopted a human rights statement at board level, and we carry out assessments of prioritised risk areas in relation to human rights and decent working conditions, in line with the principles set out in the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct and the new Norwegian Transparency Act. We work systematically and efficiently in order to identify whether Arntzen de Besche has directly or indirectly contributed to an adverse impact on human rights and decent working conditions. If such risks are identified, we shall implement suitable corrective measures in order to cease, prevent and mitigate the negative impact. We continuously track the effectiveness of our own commitments and due diligence activities. We also provide advice to clients on the Norwegian Transparency Act

Our lawyers are bound by a code of conduct for Norwegian Lawyers that commits each individual employee to “promote justice and prevent injustice”. The code of conduct further specifies that “A lawyer must not give advice that he realises or ought to realise will result in violation of a person’s human rights or a significant risk thereof. In this context, human rights are defined in the same way as in the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”.

As a law firm we are bound by strict requirements in relation to ethical behaviour, including anti-corruption rules and anti-money laundering regulations, and our firm thus has a strict internal compliance program in order to ensure KYC and screening procedures in order to fulfill legal requirements, including international and Norwegian sanctions regimes. We further advice on Anti Money Laundering obligations, compliance, sanctions and anti-bribery regulations to clients.

All our employees are employed in Norway and are protected by Norwegian Labour Laws that secure basic rights in regard to salary, physical and psychological safety, development and more. As an employer we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment where our employees can develop and thrive. We have frequent anonymous employee satisfaction reviews that includes measurements of harassment and discrimination in the workplace, as well as routines to guide, support and protect whistleblowers. We have an internal ethics board that works to support ethical questions and internal ethics courses and we have a diversity committee that works to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

As a leading law firm our most valuable resources are our employees and we strive to provide our employees with an exceptional employment experience. We provide our employees with competitive compensation and benefits and are focused on developing the next generation of exceptional corporate lawyers. We follow up and measure how we deliver on this promise through regular employee satisfaction surveys as well as through half yearly development and check-in conversations. Throughout the year we provide competency development seminars and classes, as well as time and funds for individual development.

We involve our employees in a broad range of our decision-making process and have two elected employee representatives in our board of directors and have a committee representing our associate employees.

The firm was the second Norwegian law firm that signed and joined the UN Global Compact program (member since March 2017). In 2022, we moved into BREEAM-Nor Excellent certified premises in Oslo – one of the market's highest climate certifications for buildings. This will reduce our emissons. We have been climate neutral since 2019 through the acquisition of EU ETS allowances. This is a result of our desire to do more than what is expected of us.

Arntzen de Besche has as one of the first law firms for several years published an emission report through PwC in collaboration with Skift-Business Climate leaders. In the period 2018 to 2020, we reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 48% and we work continuously to improve this. As of 2019, the firm has purchased climate quotas from the EU's climate quota system (EU ETS) which fully compensates for our emissions making the firm climate neutral.

We are a member of the coalition Skift. Skift is a business-led climate initiative and the mission is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and to support the Norwegian government in delivering on its national climate commitments by 2030.

The firm also contributes to legislative process, including having two partners in the Public Procurement law review committee appointed by the Government. The ambition of the committee is to reduce climate carbon emission and facilitate green purchasing.

We are proud to cooperate with the Norwegian Green Building Council to achieve better implementation, follow-up and execution of the BREEAM-NOR environmental certification system in construction projects. BREEAM is the most recognized environmental certification scheme for buildings, both in Norway and internationally. The goal is to make sure that more market operators in the construction and real estate industry achieve a high level of environmental quality in their projects.

As a law firm we are bound by strict requirements in relation to ethical behaviour, including rules on anti-corruption, conflict of interest, and anti-money laundering regulations. Our obligations thus follows from law, our internal board approved ethical rules and internal routines.
In order to follow up such obligations, we have a strict internal KYC and screening procedures for new and existing customers, which inter alia involve conflict checks, transparency requirements regarding client corporate structure, management and ownership (up to ultimate beneficial owner).

Furthermore, we screen all customer against prevailing sanctions regimes. Use of our client account is restricted and screened. The anti-money laundering and sanctions rules are managed by a partner with relevant background who reports directly to the board. Annual checks and verifications are made. Lawyers are required to fulfill obligations regarding arms-length and independence of clients, and investment into client companies or stock listed companies is subject to restrictions in order to ensure independence.

Receipt of gifts from clients is restricted to small gifts and otherwise subject to approval from superior. No employee must offer and gifts on behalf of the company for the purpose of receiving assignments or advantages for the company or oneself. The obligations are managed by the managing partner and monitored administratively. Breach can have implications for the employee’s employment.