Russian Aircraft Insurance LP Claims – Judgment Handed Down

OVERVIEW

Following a 50 day trial in the Commercial Court in the Russian Aircraft Lessor Policy Claims, on 11 June 2025, Mr Justice Butcher handed down judgment, ruling in favour of the Claimant lessors against the Defendant war risk insurers. The trial started in October 2024 and ended in February 2025. It involved a large number of parties and lawyers (around 70 Counsel). The case is one of the largest in value before the Commercial Court. It is also the first major case relating to aviation insurance since those spawned by the first Gulf War.

In the course of his judgment, the Judge addressed hotly contested issues such as peril (war risks or all risks), the disputed "grip of the peril" doctrine and the effect of sanctions.