Morten Lund Mathisen, the partner in charge of Wikborg, Rein & Co’s London office, at the bar with John Guy

LA Grande Marque, on London’s Ludgate Circus or Hill, is a rather pretentious winebar only a few steps from Morten Lund Mathisen’s offices near St Pauls Cathedral. But there is nothing pretentious about Morten. He is straightforward Norwegian, slightly modified by the experience of working in Japan for five years.

It is a hot summer evening, so we choose a cool Australian Western Ridge Chardonnay 1996, and find a quiet corner table to sip that, along with the only food La Grande Marque pretends to, which is a rather hot and rather mean portion of guacamole. However, despite a previous stint as a deputy judge, Morten is not judgemental about the food or the wine. Nor is he judgemental about the Japanese, with whom he has been sharing a country for the last five years. "Many westerners are harsh about Japan," he says. "But they are an island people, and sceptical of foreigners. I found that all the people I dealt with were extremely nice." Which might explain why he has come back to London with a Japanese wife who, as we sit sipping wine, is over in Oslo learning Norwegian.

Morten says what he missed most in Japan was Norway’s crisp air, but he goes on to indicate the crowded street outside and points out that London is more polluted than Kobe. His move to London is a natural progression for him, from deck boy on a passengership, via law school, the public prosecutor’s office and a deputy judgeship in Alesund, to Wikborg, Rein in Oslo, then the instant adventure of working in a foreign country.

Now he is pleased to be in London. "This is one hub of world shipping," he says. "There is time enough to go back to Norway. One of the great things you see on the other side of the world is that Norway is not centre of the world. It is successful, but stepping outside Europe gives you a new perspective."

Our perspective in La Grande Marque is limited by the wood panels, marble bar and the pinstriped suits of the lawyers and accountants from offices in the area. Morten found that Japan widened his perspective in a completely different way. "In Japan there is a lack of legal precedent, simply because there are so few disputes which go to a hearing," he says. "Almost every case is settled amicably, and it is seen as a failure if you can’t find a solution to a dispute. In that way I think Norwegians and Japanese are closer in attitude to each other than they are to the English or Americans."

"Talking with people is what the law should be all about"
"I couldn’t bear to sit in front of a computer all day."

Morten explains that there is no formal ADR process in Japan. "Problems are resolved in face-to-face meetings or by correspondence," he says. "I hope to bring some of that experience to London. Both parties have to want to settle, but they must benefit from being able to get on with their business rather than fighting long court cases and using up their management time and resources."

By this time we have used up the guacamole dip, and are burning our throats on the tortilla chips, although the crisp white wine holds up well. You could go hungry in this bar, but Morten says that won’t happen to a lawyer who is known as a problem- solver.

"You don’t have to depend on big disputes," he says. "And disputes are only one part of a shipping law business anyway. I like to think about our role in building up businesses, helping with S&P, ship finance and deal-making."

What does working in Asia do to a Norwegian lawyer? Morten thinks he has come back to London a calmer person. "I did some significant work in China," he says. "It teaches you to be calm, to sit back and reflect and consider." Being in Kobe during the earthquake also taught him something about life. "An angel was watching us that night," he says. "We had a very close call. After that, it is easier to see what really matters in life."

For Morten, what really matters is the thought that in ten years’ time he will be teaching the children his wife has yet to have to fish for trout in Norway’s mountain streams. But before that, he has the task of building up Wikborg, Rein’s business in London. His calm demeanour and straight talking will help him with that. So will his maritime family background, although despite - or perhaps because of - his time with the Norwegian navy and a summer job on a cruiseship, he was never tempted by a career at sea. He does wear a tie with anchors on, and he has a coastal skipper’s ticket, but now, turned forty, he is happy to be a partner with Norway;’s major maritime law firm, and to have the chance to develop an international profile.

We have developed an empty wine bottle, but we stay to chat about how Morten prefers contact with people to being in his office. "I couldn’t bear to sit in front of a computer all day," he says. "I like to get out of the office and meet people. I like the feeling that we can solve problems." I think London’s shipping people are going to enjoy chatting with Morten.