XXIV Old Buildings has been praised as a ‘go-to’ and ’reliable and accessible’ set for aviation disputes. A key part of his practice, Edward Cumming KC advises on aircraft lease obligations, maintenance reserves, and aviation regulatory issues, including recent work for Saudi Arabian Airlines. Aviation disputes are also central to Steven Thompson KC‘s practice – he is currently advising VietJet on the leasing of an Airbus plane under a Japanese operating lease with call option (JOLCO) structure. Bajul Shah continues to be in demand on high-profile matters, including representing reinsurers in claims brought by aircraft lessors with exposure to Russian airlines, and is appearing as counsel to the claimants in a claim brought against manufacturer Leonardo arising from the Leicester City FC helicopter crash. Erin Hitchens’ recent work includes acting for Equatorial Congo Airlines in a claim challenging the validity of a fleet transfer while the airline was in insolvency proceedings. The set expanded in 2024 with the arrival of Max Archer from 12 King’s Bench Walk, who brings deep experience in travel disputes involving the interpretation of EC Regulation 261 and large aviation loss events. Tom Stewart Coats advises on issues relating to maintenance reserves, deposits, and rent under aircraft lease agreements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Steven is an experienced commercial barrister who specialises in civil fraud, company/joint venture, insolvency and aviation disputes. He has notable expertise in handling technically complex, high-value matters.
Steven regularly appears in the Business and Property Courts in the Rolls Building (primarily in the Chancery lists and the Commercial Court) as well as overseas and on appeals in this jurisdiction and offshore.
Steven has extensive international and offshore experience. He is called to the BVI and is Part II DIFC Registered. Steven has particular experience in the first instance and appellate courts of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and the Dubai International Financial Centre.
He appears in and advises on disputes in the courts of many other common law jurisdictions particularly on large shareholder, company and fraud disputes, including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland.
Steven is also regularly instructed on international arbitrations and associated Court hearings, in the Far East and in Dubai as well as in London. He has been nominated, appointed and sat as an arbitrator in LCIA arbitrations.
For over a decade Steven served on the International Committee of the Bar Council, including as its Chair in 2019-21. He was also formerly Chair of the Bar’s China Interest Group.
Career
Call: 1996 | Silk: 2015
Memberships
- Chancery Bar Association
- Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
- Bar of the Dubai International Financial Centre
- Chair of the International Committee of The Bar Council
Education
- BA (Hons) St. John’s College, Cambridge University (Natural Science)
- Dip. Law City University, London
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Responsive and knowledgeable about their members' individual strengths.'
- 'A niche aviation set; XXIV Old Buildings is a small but class act.'
- 'One of the best aviation-focused chambers, especially for juniors.'
- 'One of the go-to sets for aviation disputes, with a good strength in numbers at a range of levels.'
- 'Aviation specialists who are easy to work with.'
- 'Commercially minded, extremely responsive, and sensitive to client demands.'
- 'Reliable and accessible.'
- 'Down to earth and approachable.'