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  1. Aviation – Leading Sets
  2. Aviation – Leading Silks
  3. Aviation – Leading Juniors

‘Top aviation set’ Fountain Court Chambers has specialists ‘at all levels of experience’ and ‘clerks who are always willing to go the extra mile’. Michael Crane QC remains ‘the undisputed number-one aviation silk; he combines huge charm with a daunting intellect’. Bankim Thanki QC’s ‘reputation speaks for itself’, and Akhil Shah QC ‘really knows the law inside out in this area and is able to advise on anything from an insurance claim to an aircraft recovery, and everything in between’. Michael McLaren QC, who was recently instructed in ACG Acquisitions v Olympic Airlines, is ‘a go-to silk if your case looks unwinnable’, with ‘an eye for detail that is second to none’. Stephen Moriarty QC is ‘an outstanding advocate with exceptional cross-examination skills’. Recommended juniors include the ‘legally inventive, commercially astute and highly pragmatic’ John Taylor; Adam Zellick, who has ‘excellent attention to detail’; Rosalind Phelps, who is ‘first choice for cases with difficult contractual issues’; and James Cutress.

Quadrant Chambers is ‘one of the most highly regarded aviation sets’, with Robert Lawson QC’s ‘unparalleled experience in the field’ making him ‘one of the most talented aviation specialists at the Bar’. The set also has a strong bench of juniors, including ‘doyen of the aviation regulatory world’ Hugh O’Donovan, who has ‘decades of experience and an encyclopaedic knowledge of industry regulation’. ‘Excellent advocate’ John Kimbell is recommended for defence of aviation claims involving passenger rights, and was recently instructed in the high-profile Blue Sky One case. Tim Marland is ‘the obvious choice’ for aviation insurance matters, and ‘one of very few barristers who can be called an expert in passenger rights’. Matthew Reeve has ‘an incisive understanding of the technical and jurisdictional complexities of aviation matters’. Jonathan Chambers is ‘an established and approachable star in the aviation arena, with a strong grasp of EU and international jurisprudence relating to carriage-by-air cases’. John Russell and John Passmore are also recommended. Charles Haddon-Cave QC has been appointed to the High Court bench.

XXIV Old Buildings’ clerking team is ‘one of the best – they provide an excellent service’. The ‘unflappable, diligent and approachable’ Philip Shepherd QC has acted in a number of leading cases, including ACG Acquisitions v Olympic Airlines. He led the ‘engaging, vibrant, and smart’ Edward Cumming in that case, who is regarded as ‘one to watch for the future’. Bajul Shah and Steven Thompson, who is ‘excellent in every respect’, recently acted in JET2.com v TAROM, for the defendant and airline respectively. Arshad Ghaffar continues to act in the ongoing London 27 ltd case.

At Brick Court Chambers, Andrew Lydiard QC has ‘a powerful intellect and extensive experience in aviation and cross-border disputes’. He recently acted in a claim for the loss of two Boeing 747 aircraft. Mark Brealey QC is recommended for his competition law expertise. Neil Calver QC has recently acted in a number of large-scale arbitrations.

Also recommended are David Joseph QC and Huw Davies QC at Essex Court Chambers; John Steel QC* at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, who is active on airport development matters; and 7 King’s Bench Walk’s Gavin Kealey QC, who acted in PK Airfinance and Balli v Insurers. *John Steel QC is now at Thirty Nine Essex Street.

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