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
Edward is a barrister specialising in most areas of chancery and commercial litigation. He particularly relishes advocacy, appearing frequently before a range of courts and tribunals, and has extensive experience of international and multi-jurisdictional disputes. This particular international emphasis was further enhanced when he was retained for a substantial period to advise a leading offshore firm on a number of business and trust matters involving Guernsey and the BVI. Edward’s breadth of expertise is recognised by the leading directories. He is not only recommended in the chancery sphere for traditional chancery litigation, private client disputes (trust and probate), company disputes and insolvency disputes, but also for commercial dispute resolution, banking and finance, and aviation.
Career
Call: 2006 | Silk: 2018
Edward read Law at Downing College, Cambridge where he was President of the Cambridge Union. After leaving Cambridge he was a Thouron Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, studying at both the Law School and Wharton Business School. He then became director of a group of engineering and property management companies, acquiring a practical understanding of the commercial realities of business and, in particular, company law, before completing pupillage at XXIV Old Buildings.
Languages
French, basic German.
Memberships
- Chancery Bar Association
- Commercial Bar Association
- Institute of Art & Law
- Guernsey International Lawyers Association
- Bar Pro Bono Unit
Education
- MA (Cantab)
- LLM (UPenn)
- Thouron Fellowship to the University of Pennsylvania
- Queen Mother’s Scholar and Harmsworth Exhibitioner of Middle Temple
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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.'