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

Fountain Court Chambers is ‘one of the primary chambers for aviation’. Michael Crane QC provides ‘exactly what one would expect in a top-notch silk’, and is advising the London insurance market on liabilities arising out of the volcanic ash eruption. The ‘very capable’ Bankim Thanki QC is acting for bmi in a scarce capacity hearing. John Taylor is representing Romania’s national airline regarding the alleged wrongful termination of a long-term maintenance agreement. Stephen Moriarty QC is an ‘outstanding advocate with exceptional cross-examination skills’, and Michael McLaren QC is ‘good at coming on board at short notice and getting up to speed quickly’. Rosalind Phelps is often ‘first choice for cases with difficult contractual issues’, James Cutress is ‘very “on the ball”’, and Adam Zelleck ‘a true asset to a team; procedurally brilliant, and tactically and commercially astute’. Akhil Shah QC ‘has justified his elevation to silk; a brilliant mind, great eye for detail, good strategist, very responsive and an effective but understated advocate’.

Quadrant Chambers has a ‘leading reputation that would be difficult to beat’, and has ‘quality from top to bottom’. Charles Haddon-Cave QC represented the claimants on appeal regarding the allowance of direct flights between the UK and Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, John Russell acted in the Biggin Hill light aircraft crash, and John Kimbell acted in arrest proceedings involving Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Robert Lawson QC is an ‘obvious choice on any major airline case’. Hugh O’Donovan’s ‘knowledge of the aviation industry is unparalleled – he has the perspective of both “poacher and game keeper”, and intimate knowledge of the commercial business of airlines’. Matthew Reeve is a ‘faultless and dedicated advocate with a detailed grasp of all technical issues’, and Tim Marland has ‘impressive instincts’ and is ‘not intimidated on any level’. Jonathan Chambers’ ‘methodical approach to evidence and legal analysis’ makes him a top pick for cases needing attention to detail.

‘Good strong set’ XXIV Old Buildings has excellent aviation credentials. Philip Shepherd QC and Bajul Shah continued to act in the Blue Sky litigation. Shepherd also acted in ACG Acquisition XX LLC v Olympic Airlines, and Shah is noted as a ‘very capable advocate’. Steven Thompson is ‘excellent in every respect; he has a lot of experience in aviation cases, understands the specialist issues, responds very quickly and is a most user-friendly barrister’. Arshad Ghaffar acted in the London 27 ltd case, which involves a claim worth $25m against the lead aircraft lessor.

Brick Court Chambers has some of ‘the top clerks in London’, who are ‘both professional and easy to deal with’. ‘Very able barrister’ Andrew Lydiard QC acted in PK Air Finance v Chartis. Clients of the ‘clear, thorough and practical’ Neil Calver QC ‘know they are getting exceptional-quality advice’, and Mark Brealey QC, who has ‘extensive knowledge of competition law’, rates for his ‘analytical approach to a problem and careful analysis of a case after thorough preparation’ and ‘strength in explaining difficult and complex issues in a clear, concise manner’.

Also recommended are: Huw Davies QC at Essex Court Chambers; 7 King’s Bench Walk’s Gavin Kealey QC, who acted in PK Airfinance and Balli v Insurers; and John Steel QC at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, for his airport development expertise.

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