Duncan Batchelor > Norton Rose Fulbright > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Combining longstanding transportation industry expertise with deep experience of handling structured and complex cross-border financings and commercial arrangements, the ‘technically solid and approachable’ team at Norton Rose Fulbright remains well-placed to add value and ‘offer strategic advice and industry colour’ to an eclectic mix of stakeholders across all transportation classes. The team remains at the vanguard of the shipping sector, working alone as well as alongside offices in maritime centres across Europe and Asia to provide ‘cost-effective and pragmatic’ advice to lenders and owners, including for cutting-edge sustainability-linked loans. ‘Very knowledgeable’ shipping head Simon Hartley is the ‘ultimate safe pair of hands’, particularly in relation to bank-side deals within the cruise sector, and has handled a number of recent mandates regarding the financing of eco-friendly vessels. As well as conventional shipping work, Eleanor Martin is also very adept at handling restructuring matters in this space. Matthew Bambury is gaining recognition in the sector through providing ‘an exceptionally reliable service’, and as well as developing his own workload also works alongside Hartley on cruise ship matters. Aviation head Duncan Batchelor is ‘well connected’ in the sector and is ‘on top of all the latest industry developments’, ensuring he is very able to take on complex new money deals (including transactions utilising novel financing products) as well as restructurings/refinancings. As well as lender work, Owen Mulholland has strong ties with a number of major airlines and excels at handling financing transactions which use both commercial and export-credit-backed debt. The ‘exceptional’ Will Alete is also recommended, as is the ‘diligent and creative’ Dan Cowdy, while the ‘technically brilliant’ Georgie Field is gaining plaudits from alternative lenders, lessors and airlines alike.

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright handles work across the gamut of aviation matters, including assisting major airlines in delivery disputes and claims under warranties, EC261 claims and regulatory issues involving the CAA. The practice is headed by aviation disputes expert Robin Springthorpe and Charlotte Winter, who tackles aircraft repossessions, redelivery disputes and contractual issues. Patrick Farrell brings considerable experience to bear in challenges to regulators and acts for aircraft owners in repossession proceedings. Commercial matters fall under the remit of Duncan Batchelor, an asset finance specialist who also oversees a variety of transactional and corporate structuring matters. Annabelle Wheeler represents clients in aircraft and engine leasing disputes, with Will Alete and Dan Cowdy being key contacts for airlines and lessors looking to conclude aircraft acquisition deals.