Aviation

With extensive industry knowledge and experience stretching across all spheres of the aerospace industry – we act for a diverse range of clients including airports, operators, insurers, lessors, manufacturers, maintenance providers, banks, governments and regulators both in the UK and worldwide.

Our Legal 500 ranked dynamic team of specialists from across the firm cover all disciplines and are well placed to understand the commercial, financial and regulatory challenges facing the aviation industry. Our in-depth knowledge of the specialist legal services means you will benefit from our full service approach.

Our well-regarded general aviation team advises on major aircraft financing and leasing transactions, the financing, the construction and maintenance of airports and related transport infrastructure, the provision of airport related services, regulatory issues, complex procurement challenges, competition law compliance, data protection and cyber security and a range of employment issues.

The team's strength is further bolstered by our specialised aviation and insurance disputes group which provides advice internationally, on subrogation, coverage and policy wording disputes, high profile disaster work and associated inquests/fatal accident inquiries and personal injury, cargo, baggage, cancellation and denied boarding claims under the international Convention regimes and EC Regulation 261/2004. The team also advises on leasing, ground handling and maintenance disputes, aircraft re-possession and regulatory issues/emerging policy including the impact of Brexit and emergency technologies including drones.

As members of the Interlaw network, we have access to lawyers in over 150 countries and provide high quality advice across jurisdictions.

Our leading Real Estate practice has strong expertise in aviation-related property.  We have an extensive track record in dealing with the practicalities and nuances of airside property, whether it is hangar space, terminal offices or retail space.  We advise a number of aviation related clients (including airport owners, operators and airlines) on issues arising in airport property transactions including specialist planning, construction and development aspects.  This includes advice in areas such as public safety zones, ATM limits, passenger number limits, access routes and security.

In brief

• Experienced aviation practice providing both commercial and contentious advice to airports, insurers, airlines, lessors, manufacturers, maintenance providers, banks, investors, governments and regulators both in the UK and worldwide
• Adept at handling both large scale, complex and high value claims and high volume and low value claims and adjusting case management and billing structures/processes accordingly
•  Heavily involved in aviation industry events and organisations, including the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), and therefore fully aware that offering legal services in this sector requires an understanding of the emerging policy and the regulatory context in which airports, airlines and associated support services operate