Aviation in France
Clyde & Co LLP
Clyde & Co LLP is best known for its specialism in insured liability claims for airlines but also handles general aviation matters, handling contentious and non-contentious work. The team has global capabilities, acting on major losses, product liability, and passenger claims in litigation and arbitration, representing a number of major aviation companies and airlines. Non-contentious work includes insurance, commercial transactions, and regulatory matters. The practice is led by the highly regarded Maylis Casati-Ollier. Legal director Grégory Laville de la Plaigne is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘They have a very good knowledge of the aviation market, practice area and law, as well as building good relationships with their clients.’
‘Gregory Laville De la Plaigne is always available; he has a good understanding of our needs and expectations and is very efficient.’
DLA Piper
DLA Piper advises on the full range of aviation-related work and handles a number of matters for key client Airbus. Other clients include businesses in the aerospace and defence industries and the team is also active in aviation matters related to insurance, commercial contracts, litigation and arbitration, and employment issues. Practice head Vonnick Le Guillou is an experienced litigator, specialising in insurance liability claims. Gregory Tulquois co-chairs the firm's global aerospace group, with a particular focus on transactions, as well as commercial and marketing matters.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The DLA Piper Aviation team in Paris really know their clients, their sector and how to establish trust and a good relationship. Their ability to produce great quality work in a timely manner is what makes them outstanding. They can also manage very complex cases while providing the right amount of information to clients.’
‘The team of DLA Piper lawyers working for us are excellent professionals, always ready to help and that have an excellent understanding of our industry and ways of working. They are also quite fast. That is what makes the difference between them and other law firms.’
‘Gregory Tulquois is an exceptional advisor – we can feel his passion for aeronautical industry and this translates into excellent work. He is always available and the advice is quick and excellent.’
‘The team is very knowledgeable and very available at all times. Their work is perfectly insurance oriented, strategy is always discussed with the insurers and information is well shared.’
Key clients
AIRBUS SAS
AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
ALLIANZ GCS
AXA XL
CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES
LA REUNION AERIENN
ROCKWELL COLLINS
LATECOERE
Work highlights
- Advised Airbus on the design and launch of the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme.
- Advising Airbus on the fast-track onboarding of customers for its aviation-oriented data platform Skywise, with the aim of negotiating and concluding agreements with a critical number of Skywise customers by the end of 2019.
Signature Litigation AARPI
Signature Litigation AARPI has established a strong practice following the arrival of Thomas Rouhette from Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP in January 2019. The team represents high-profile clients including airlines, constructors, and insurers in litigation, with several cross-border cases. It is a popular choice for commercial and product liability cases relating to high-profile accidents, where it acts for constructors and insurers against customer claims. The team's record in litigation has enabled it to gain several major mandates, including cases of significant public interest.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
Continental Motors Inc.
Global Aerospace
Rolls-Royce Plc
Work highlights
- Representing Continental Motors Inc. in proceedings following the hard landing on 16 May 2016 of a Cirrus SR22 aircraft which experienced an engine failure in cruise flight.
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance has a strong, multi-disciplinary team able to act on a range of aviation-related matters, including acquisitions, joint ventures and cooperation, procurement, service agreements, and complex litigation. The practice has a strong focus on aerospace and defence industry clients, including a long-term and wide-ranging partnership with Airbus and subsidiaries, while the firm's global reach enables it to act on a number of cross-border and multijurisdictional matters. The practice is jointly led by Fabrice Cohen, Dessislava Savova and Yves Wehrli, who are particularly experienced in cross-border corporate and M&A transactions.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Exceptional understanding of the aerospace business, which enables them to provide high-quality advice regarding our international cooperation activities in this sector, as well as contextualising it appropriately.’
Key clients
Airbus
ATR (Avions de Transport Régional G.I.E.)
Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Defence & Space
Cessna Citation European Service Center
ArianeGroup
Work highlights
- Advised Airbus SE and Aero Re on the acquisition of Lalux.
- Acting forAirbus on its strategic, industrial cooperation with Mubadala for the development of the aeronautics industry in the UAE.
- Representing the Cessna Citation European Service Center (CCESC) in a dispute against owners/managers of airplanes who refused to pay for the repair works incurred by CCESC, on various grounds.
Courrégé-Foreman
Courrégé-Foreman specialises in commercial and criminal litigation in the space, acting for a range of aviation industry clients, including manufacturers, civil authorities, airport operators, and individuals. The team is jointly led by experienced litigators Mauricia Courrégé and Simon Foreman, who have experience representing claimants and defendants in several high-value claims relating to accidents.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Simon Foreman is an excellent lawyer, very well recognized in the product liability litigation in the aviation sector. Mauricia Courege is also a good lawyer, defending the same type of clients in product liability matters.’
‘Excellent expertise and experience in aviation / crash / liability and compensation. The firm’s solid experience is particularly appreciated, as is its knowledge of the aviation industry, its practices and how it operates during a crisis.’
Key clients
SAFRAN GROUP
AÉROPORTS DE PARIS
UBER
ALLIANZ GLOBAL AND CORPORATE SPECIALTY SE
GLOBAL AEROSPACE INC
LA REUNION AERIENNE
DIRECTION GENERALE DE L’AVIATION CIVILE
AXA Corporate Solutions
Work highlights
- Representing Safran Helicopter Engines in criminal and civil proceedings following a helicopter crash.
- Representing the director of civil aviation services in French Polynesia in a criminal investigation and trial.
- Representing the family of Mr James Grégoire in a helicopter crash trial, with a damages claim worth €20m.
HFW
Pierre Frühling leads the team at HFW, which works closely with international airlines, insurers, maintenance providers, and banks. The practice has a full-service capability, acting on transactions, disputes, regulatory, and competition-related matters across the aviation sector. The team has a particular strength in advising independent French long-haul airlines on the leasing and renovation of aircraft.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘HFW’s aviation team is extremely reactive, available, competent and friendly.’
‘Pierre Frühling and Jean-Baptiste Charles are passionate about the aviation sector. They are always available and responsive, as well for the most basic of problems as for the most complex files. Their skill, reactivity and kindness clearly distinguish them from their competitors.’
‘In addition to their professionalism, it is above all the reactivity, the availability and the precision of the answers that is appreciable. Positions are not feigned and communication around them is important to me. I would like to especially thank Mr Charles for the constructive exchanges. A professional to recommend.’
Kennedys
Kennedys acts on a number of aviation disputes, specialising in insurance and liability litigation, alongside transport and cargo claims. The team acts for prominent players in the aviation industry, including airlines, aerospace manufacturers, and insurers. Christian Bouckaert, Nicolas Bouckaert and Aurélia Cadain are the key names.
HMN & Partners
At HMN & Partners, Simon Ndiaye is the key name. The practice handles aircraft accidents and commercial issues related to the aviation sector, as well as advising airlines on tourism issues.
Squire Patton Boggs
Squire Patton Boggs acts on insurance litigation, criminal investigations, and passenger claims, with practice head Carole Sportes a specialist in aviation-related disputes. The team acts on behalf of airlines and insurers against large-scale passenger claims, relating to both high-profile accidents and day-to-day disputes.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘I have dealt with Carole Sportes for approximately 12 years. She is very skilled in aviation law and commands the respect of those who she interacts with. Her responses are prompt and efficient, and she is a delightful person to deal with.’
Key clients
XL London Market
Air New Zealand
Lufthansa German Airlines
Swiss International Air Lines Ltd.
Austrian Airlines
Eurowings
Germanwings
Work highlights
- Representing the insurers and re-insurers of Flash Airlines in litigation relating to the crash of the Flash Airlines flight 604 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in January 2004, settling almost 650 claims.
- Representing Air New Zealand in the criminal investigation related to the crash of one of its A320 aircraft which occurred in the Mediterranean Sea in November 2008. The case is still pending before French courts.
- Representing all airlines in the Lufthansa group against French passenger claims, with 900 ongoing cases.