United Kingdom > London > Transport > Aviation
Index of tables
Aviation
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Leading individuals
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- John Balfour Beaumont & Son – Aviation at Clyde & Co
- Simon Chamberlain Bird & Bird
- Patrick Farrell Norton Rose LLP
- Mark Franklin DLA Piper UK LLP
- Sean Gates Gates and Partners
- Richard Gimblett Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP
- Rory MacCarthy Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Neil McGilchrist Gates and Partners
- Paul Phillips Stephenson Harwood
- Richard Venables Bird & Bird
This section focuses on airline, airports and regulatory work, as well as aviation insurance. Aviation finance is covered as part of Asset finance and leasing, under Finance, while claimant personal injury work is covered in the Insurance section.
The aviation practice at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP is set to transfer to Holman Fenwick Willan LLP; scheduled to make the move are Sue Barham, Nicholas Hughes and Giles Kavanagh in London, along with Richard Gimblett (London and Dubai); Jeremy Shebson (London and São Paulo); Peter Coles (Hong Kong); and Keith Richardson and Mert Hifzi (Singapore). The team ‘as it stands is extremely knowledgeable and responsive’, and regularly acts for clients such as British Airways, Etihad, BAE Systems and Allianz. Regulatory expert Barham has been representing the National Airlines Council of Canada in High Court judicial review proceedings and an ECJ referral over the legality of the EU’s rules on emissions trading for aviation; and Gimblett, who is ‘very knowledgeable and the man to go to for aviation disputes’, recently advised on the global settlement following the loss of a Flash Airlines B737. Kavanagh, who heads the team, is highly recommended for insurance-related aviation work.
‘Market leader’ Beaumont & Son – Aviation at Clyde & Co stands out for handling everything from commercial and corporate work to insurance and regulatory matters in the aviation field. Recent highlights include successfully defending Air New Zealand against accusations of cartel activity in the air cargo sector; acting for insurers on the total loss of Air France 447; and advising various airlines on slot deals at London airports. The London team is backed by the over 100 aviation lawyers across the firm’s network of international offices, giving the team credible resources in Latin and North America, Asia, and Europe. The team is also notable for its strength in depth, with experts including consultant John Balfour, Tim Brymer, David Willcox, Philip Bass, and Patrick Slomski, who has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the industry’ Peter Macara and Alex Stovold have been promoted to partner.
Clients appreciate the ‘highly responsive, commercial approach’ adopted by Bird & Bird. The group continued to build on its impressive client base, adding names such as Jet2.com and Abu Dhabi Airport Authority to a list that already included names such as Etihad and easyJet. Its recent appointment to the panel of Virgin Atlantic Airways has already resulted in a number of instructions. The ‘very knowledgeable and effective’ Robin Springthorpe regularly ‘comes up with the perfect strategy and answer’, and has been acting for National Reserve Corporation in a $50m dispute with PK AirFinance GECAS over alleged breach of duties. The group also has an impressive non-contentious practice. Simon Chamberlain’s experience in working at an airline is considered a ‘significant advantage’ that ‘makes it easier for him to understand complex situations and generate practical advice’. Finance specialist Paul Briggs is ‘personable, energetic, focused and clear about the main issues’, while consultant Richard Venables has a wealth of regulatory expertise.
The ‘highly erudite’ team at DLA Piper UK LLP is ‘capable of delivering concise and focused advice on complex subjects in short turnaround times’, and is ‘recommended for insurance defence and coverage instructions in challenging countries’, as well as for ‘aviation-based commercial and contentious matters’. The group’s impressive client roster includes industry giants such as British Airways, Emirates, NATS, and Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, which it advised on the liabilities of the operator following the crash of an ATR72 aircraft. Other highlights included acting for the government of the Republic of Cyprus in the Court of Appeal regarding a judgement refusing a permit for a service between the UK and Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, and advising on slot transactions for bmi. Mark Franklin and Kathryn Ward have ‘excellent aviation regulatory knowledge, and are very pragmatic and focused’, with Franklin rated as a ‘highly knowledgeable and good negotiator’, and Ward as ‘intelligent and tenacious in dealing with difficult situations in challenging places’.
Gates and Partners continued to grow rapidly with the opening of offices in Brussels and Dubai, and the recruitment of Alison McKenzie to the London office from Qantas. A niche aviation practice, it generates just over 50% of its work from aviation insurance liability matters, and ‘for defence claims arising out of crashes is unparalleled’. The group also has a strong track record of covering aircraft finance and aviation-related commercial agreements for airlines. It now sits on the panels of China Southern and China Eastern, and picked up a growing number of instructions from Russian airlines, as well as acting for British Airways and others on matters arising out of the volcanic ash eruption. Sean Gates and Neil McGilchrist are undisputed market leaders, and Saleema Brohi and Paul Freeman are also recommended.
Rory MacCarthy’s team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP may be smaller than many of its competitors, but it acts for an impressive number of leading aviation clients, including British Airways, LAN Chile, Rolls-Royce, American Airlines and Aviation Capital Group. Advising LAN Chile on its $3.4bn purchase of 50 Airbus A320 aircraft was the group’s largest deal in 2010; other highlights included advising on slot agreements for a major airline, and representing a leasing client on the default termination of an aircraft lease agreement and the repossession and deregistration of the aircraft. Andrew Smith, who focuses on operational work and regularly acts for British Airways, joined from Taylor Wessing LLP.
Norton Rose LLP has ‘very good partners, as well as a very strong team of associates and counsel’, and is ‘one of the best at the litigation/aircraft recovery and aircraft finance aspects of the business’. The team advised Monarch Airlines in relation to the volcanic ash disruptions; Balli Group plc in a dispute over the ownership of three Boeing 747 aircraft; and Global Knafaim Leasing in a judicial review regarding the detention of aircraft following the collapse of Zoom Airlines. Patrick Farrell is ‘absolutely outstanding – hugely experienced in the industry and as a litigator – and has a very in-depth global knowledge of repossession issues/local law/lien and procedure in an endless number of jurisdictions’; he is the ‘first port of call when preparing for a possible repossession’.
Simmons & Simmons is best known for its aircraft finance work, but also handles a significant volume of related contentious matters. The group covers repossession work worldwide, and has a good reputation of acting for military clients such as the Ministry of Defence. The group advised AerCap on its claim for breach of a sale agreement for two Boeing B757s; acted for the MoD on phases three, four and five of the UK Military Flight Training System; and obtained an injunction to detain and repossess a B737 for Volito. Kim Walkling is rated for his work for the MoD, while Nick Benwell has notable litigation expertise. Clients are ‘extremely impressed with the service’.
Stephenson Harwood defended Air Asia against claims of loss of sale arising from the late redelivery of a Boeing 737-300, the first such claim of its kind made through the English courts; and advised Blue Wing Airlines on gaining its removal from the European blacklist of airlines – it is the seventh blacklisted airline the group has represented. The firm is known for its wide-ranging practice, acting for clients such as American Airlines, Virgin, Vietnam Airlines, and Aviation Capital. Paul Phillips ‘gives well over 100% to his clients, knows the aviation business (both at the technical and legal level), and is a very tough fighter’; he ‘provides clear strategic vision with tenacity and great stamina in following through with detail’. Associates Russell Binch and Kate Cordery are ‘exceptionally good lawyers’.
Niche aviation practice Clark Ricketts LLP ‘speaks the language of aviation and delivers a first-class, knowledgeable service without charging first-class fees’. The practice spans both the commercial and insurance sides of aviation, and fields the ‘excellent’ Ian Clark; ‘extremely efficient and effective litigator’ Tim Murray; and the ‘well-known and highly regarded’ Robert Ricketts. The group is advising SpiceJet on the purchase of up to 30 Bombardier A400s, and representing an airport operator in a dispute with a major airline. Other clients include flydubai, Sloane Helicopters, and Chapman Freeborn Airchartering.
Eversheds LLP continued to advise the Department for Transport (DfT) on the review of economic regulation of airports, including the drafting of the Airport Economic Regulation Bill, which will introduce a new licence-based approach for the regulation of large airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick; and acted for Birmingham Airport on the planning and commercial aspects of the proposed extension of a runway at Birmingham International Airport. The practice acts for a number of airlines such as Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic, as well as a number of airports, including Bristol Airport and Liverpool Airport. Practice head Richard Prowse is recommended.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has an exceptional aviation finance practice led by Robert Murphy, but is also one of the top choices for large-scale aviation-related corporate deals. The group advised Rolls-Royce on its joint venture with GKN to design, develop and manufacture fan blades and containment cases; acted for the Northern Capital Gateway on the construction, operation and financing of the redevelopment of Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg; and represented the Air Transport Association of America in its challenge to the EU’s extension of its carbon emissions trading scheme to aviation.
Ince & Co’s team is ‘thorough, prompt and knowledgeable’, and ‘offers good value for money in aviation insurance’, and has notable expertise in recovery work. Gillie Belsham acted for PK AirFinance and its insurers in the recovery of its financial interests in two Boeing 747 aircraft, while Nick Burgess acted for the primary insurers regarding the Pamir crash. Consultant Tim Scorer has ‘unsurpassed knowledge of UK general aviation’.
SNR Denton has an impressive track record of acting for clients such as Emirates, United Aviation, Airbus and United Airlines. The group’s aviation finance expertise has been the initial draw for many of these clients, but the group now advises them on all manner of work from mainstream leasing to employment tribunal work. It has advised Russian airlines such as Transaero and Utair on commercial matters, and United Aviation on the application of EU emissions trading scheme. Nick Chandler leads the 15-partner, multi-disciplinary team.
Slaughter and May serves as lead adviser to British Airways; it recently acted for the company in relation to its transatlantic alliance with American Airlines and Iberia; its merger with Iberia; proceedings arising out of the investigation into cartel activity in the cargo sector; and the multi-jurisdictional aspects of the US class actions arising out of the passenger fuel surcharge investigations. The firm also acts for Global Infrastructure Partners on matters following on from its acquisition of Gatwick Airport. Stephen Cooke and David Wittmann are recommended for aviation-related M&A; Richard Swallow for dispute resolution matters; and Bertrand Louveaux for competition and regulatory work.
WilmerHale’s team focuses on handling aviation-related corporate work, led by Michael Holter, and major disputes, led by Duncan Speller. Much of the group’s work is generated from its close relationship with Lufthansa, which it has advised on everything from the company’s acquisition of bmi to proceedings regarding the alleged fuel surcharge price-fixing cartel. The group also acts for members of Star Alliance, the global leading airline network; regularly advises Lufthansa Technik on maintenance contacts; and was involved in the privatisation of Austrian Airlines and Olympic Airlines. Both Holter and Speller are highly recommended.
Allen & Overy LLP’s aviation work includes asset finance, corporate, infrastructure development and litigation. The contentious side of the practice handles a significant amount of repossession work, including recently advising GECAS on the repossession of three Embraer 175 aircraft. Other highlights were advising BAA on the sale of its 65% stake in Naples Airport, and acting on the TAV Macedonia Airport PPP. The firm is valued for its ‘excellent advice and strong team’, with Peter Watson highly rated for ‘his legal acumen, professionalism and good humour’.
The team at Davenport Lyons acts for IATA, which represents 93% of scheduled international air traffic, on day-to-day regulatory and governance issues, and was appointed as the sole adviser to IATA’s Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems. The group also acts for the Local Carrier Action Group and Agency Program Joint Council; serves as a facilitator with the Civil Aviation Authority; and has seen an increasing number of instructions regarding the acquisition and sale of executive jets. Trevor Sears is recommended.
Much of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP’s work involves advising on coverage issues and exposure. The firm acts for a number of major insurers, and in 2010 gained three new major insurance clients and added further strength with the recruitment of Francis Mackie from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. The team recently advised a world-leading insurer on regulatory licences for excess and surplus lines pool members. Mark Meyer and David Kendall are recommended.
At Fasken Martineau LLP, a ‘prompt considered response is always provided, and the knowledge is broad and deep’, with Alex Ferrari and Christopher Gooding inspiring particular loyalty among clients. The team continues to act for Kuwait Airways in KAC v IAC, and has picked up regulatory work in relation to a substantial airport development in Africa, and the establishment of a new airline in the Middle East. It has also won appointment to a number of aviation insurance panels. Ferrari is ‘on the ball’ and ‘never loses sight of the real objective’.
Herbert Smith LLP has acted for BAA since its privatisation in the 1980s, and represented the client in an investigation by the Competition Commission, its disposal programme, and plans to further develop Heathrow. The group advised a number of industry players on gaining permission for a judicial review of the CAA, and acts for clients such as easyJet, Etihad and Virgin Atlantic.
Recent work for Nabarro LLP includes advising Ryanair in its dispute with Gatwick Airport on the new ‘per passenger’ method for calculating the charges it levies on airlines, as well as on its successful appeal against the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s decision that BAA should not be required to dispose of three airports. It also advised Etihad on the preparation of a suite of commercial contracts. George Maling heads the team.
Pinsent Masons LLP focuses on projects work in the aviation sector, regularly advising on airport extensions and major PPPs. The group is currently advising the operator of London Ashford Airport on two planning applications for a runway extension and new terminal building. Other clients include BAA, Edinburgh Airport, and Leeds Bradford International Airport. Martin Harman heads the group.
The niche practice at Thomas Eggar LLP advises on the acquisition of corporate jets; acts for a number of African airlines; and assists with new airline start-ups. The group acts for airlines such as Arik Air and Fly 540- Sociedade De Aviacao Civil, and investment groups such as Lonhro Group, as well as major spare part suppliers such as AJ Walters and Storm Aviation. Oliver Mayes and Garry Ramsden are the key contacts.
Stewarts Law LLP and Irwin Mitchell LLP have sterling track records in handling personal injury cases for claimants in the aviation field. For details on these practices, readers are referred to the Personal injury: claimant section, under Insurance.