Contracts Act

Reference

LOV-1918-05-31-4

Adopted

1918-05-31

In force

1918-07-03

Ministry

Ministry of Justice and Public Security

Supervision

Forbrukertilsynet

Area

SME, employment and contracts

Read date

2026-09-09

• Read the act on LovdataLOV-1918-05-31-4
• Swedish counterpart: Avtalslagen (1915:218)
• Supervision: Forbrukertilsynet

Standards are not statute. They are purchased documents from Standard Norge that parties agree to, or that regulations refer to. We carry the designation, edition and scope, never the text.

• Norwegian building and construction contract

  NS 8405:2008Standard Norge

  The general execution contract between client and contractor in larger projects. It governs the parties' obligations, variation orders, the duty to give notice and its deadlines, extensions of time, liquidated damages, payment, takeover and final settlement. Missing a notice deadline is the most common reason a claim is lost.

• Simplified Norwegian building and construction contract

  NS 8406:2009Standard Norge

  The simplified execution contract, made for smaller and less complex projects. It has fewer and milder notice rules than NS 8405 and suits parties who do not want a fully formalised notice regime. Many small trade businesses meet this one first.

• General contract provisions for design and build contracts

  NS 8407:2011Standard Norge

  The design and build contract, where the contractor is responsible for both design and execution. The standard allocates design risk and governs functional responsibility, variations, the client's cooperation, takeover and defect claims during the guarantee period.

• Norwegian subcontract for construction work

  NS 8415:2008Standard Norge

  The subcontract mirroring NS 8405 down the contract chain, so that the main contractor's duties and deadlines are passed on to the subcontractor. It matters to small suppliers, because notices must be given in time at both levels.

• General contract provisions for design and build subcontracts

  NS 8417:2011Standard Norge

  The design and build subcontract: the same risk allocation as NS 8407, but between the design and build contractor and a subcontractor carrying design responsibility. It is used where a trade contractor both designs and builds its part.

• Can an unreasonable contract term be set aside in Norway?

• Working Environment Act

  LOV-2005-06-17-62In force: 2006-01-01Arbeidstilsynet

  The Act sets the requirements for the working environment, working hours, hiring, temporary employment, hired labour, safety representatives and working environment committees, and the rules on protection against dismissal. It is the central act for every Norwegian employer.

• Working Environment Act chapter 15 — dismissal and notice

  LOV-2005-06-17-62 kap. 15In force: 2006-01-01Arbeidstilsynet

  The chapter sets the requirements for a discussion meeting before the decision, objective grounds, the formal requirements of the notice, notice periods, the right to remain in post and the deadlines for negotiation and legal action. Formal defects and a missing discussion meeting are the most common reasons a dismissal is set aside.

• Holidays Act

  LOV-1988-04-29-21In force: 1990-01-01Arbeidstilsynet

  The Act gives both a right and a duty to take holiday, and regulates holiday pay, the qualifying year and holiday year, consultation and setting of holiday dates, carry-over of holiday and settlement when employment ends.

• Consumer Purchases Act

  LOV-2002-06-21-34In force: 2002-07-01Forbrukertilsynet

  The Act applies to sales of goods to consumers and regulates defects, complaint deadlines, repair, replacement, price reduction, cancellation and damages. The complaint deadline is two years, and five years for goods intended to last significantly longer.

• Consumer Complaints Act

  LOV-2020-06-23-98In force: 2021-01-01Forbrukerklageutvalget

  The Act regulates the handling of consumer disputes before the Consumer Authority and the Consumer Disputes Commission: which cases may be brought, mediation before the Consumer Authority, decisions by the Commission, and the effect of a decision that is not taken to court. It replaced the Consumer Complaints Act of 17 February 2017 no. 7.