The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Australia > Transport: aviation

HWL Ebsworth provides its client base of international and domestic airlines, airports, regional and GA operators, aviation service providers and insurers with a full, market leading service. Airport clients are supported on all relevant regulatory regimes in addition to business and operation matters while airlines are assisted with claims handling, recovery actions, disputes, emergency response and investigation matters, among others. Sydney-based Richard Davis represents almost every capital city airport in Australia, recently advising Newcastle Airport on its expansion and Sydney Airport on its agreement with APN Outdoor. He is considered a star name for the full range of commercial, operate, operational and regulatory issues and is highly recommended alongside Simon Liddy whose expertise lies in large-scale accidents involving multiple claimants and high-value property damage. Senior associate Kristin Hibbard is developing a reputation for her expertise in passenger and third party claims, standard terms and conditions advice and commercial contracts.  

Allens represents major airports including Perth, Sydney and Brisbane on corporate governance, competition, technology, privacy matters and major negotiations with international airlines. It also assists with infrastructure, construction and development matters in addition to employment, banking and procurement-related instructions. Airline finance, specifically in relation to the commercial, defence, private and government sectors is a further keystone of the practice which is headed by Emma Warren in Melbourne. She is well-versed in advising airports on their commercial agreements, particularly in relation to development and property rights.

Praised for its ‘great knowledge of the industry’, Clayton Utz is engaged for transport and infrastructure projects, regulatory matters and the full range of commercial agreements. The practice places heavy emphasis on the representation of government clients in respect of all relevant aviation matters and also acts for airports and private sector airport operators. Andrew Leece, distinguished via his ‘commercially focused and strategic approach’, heads the practice from Canberra and provides experience in insurance, security, property and IT, among other matters.

Clyde & Co LLP fields a ‘strong team that works well together’ and is best known for its knowledge and experience in drone-related matters, complex claims for both airlines and insurers, regulatory advice and commercial transactions. Practice head Maurice Thompson is a go-to name for aviation claims including catastrophic major loss, high-value personal injury and cargo-related matters, acting exclusively in Australia for Emirates and Qatar Airways on such matters. Senior associate Ankush Chauhan is based in Melbourne alongside Thompson and regularly assists him on the claims front.

King & Wood Mallesons supports a client roster of aircraft leasing and management companies, prominent airlines and major airports on a broad array of complex affairs. Expertise encompasses competition and regulatory, corporate, commercial and M&A, airport and asset financing, infrastructure and construction, property and leasing matters in addition to planning and environment considerations. Dale Rayner oversees the department which also routinely represents domestic and international banks in relation to their activities in the aviation sector.

The expertise at Mills Oakley encompasses matters such as aircraft trading and financing, charter and aircraft operating agreements, regulatory compliance, tenders, airport-related infrastructure and development projects in addition to maintenance, calibration and fit-out agreements. The practice, headed by Brisbane-based Rechelle Brost and Gavin Douglas in Sydney, is also active on claims and disputes and is reputed for its expertise of fixed and rotary wing air operator and airline operations. Tom Lennox has left the firm.

Headed by Sydney-based Beverley Newbold, the aviation practice at Minter Ellison is particularly experienced in the regulation and operation of airports, leasing of airport land, procurement, construction and contract management and infrastructure in addition to airport upgrades. Newbold is a claims specialist while James Mok is another name to note, delivering a proven track record in aviation finance, aircraft sales and purchases and asset-based lending.

The focus at Colin Biggers & Paisley is directed towards the aviation insurance field, specifically the drafting, amending and maintaining of policy wordings and claims resulting from cargo damage, personal injury and fatalities. Additional expertise include product liability, planning and environment, government and regulatory advice, health and safety and work place relations. Melbourne-based Andrew Tulloch heads the practice which represents airlines, aircraft and airport operators, regulators, cargo importers and exporters, governments and freight forwarders.