Norton Rose Fulbright advises leading financial institutions, airlines, lessors, and investors on complex aviation and asset finance matters worldwide. The practice also boasts significant maritime expertise, advising on cruise and vessel financings, export credit-backed transactions, and strategic fleet expansions in the shipping sector. The ‘five-star team’ is co-headed by Simon Hartley, a specialist in shipping finance with a strong focus on lending and leasing transactions in the cruise sector. Fellow practice co-lead Duncan Batchelor concentrates on aircraft leasing and structured finance, with particular expertise regarding syndicated loans, restructurings, and securitisations. Eleanor Martin predominantly advises on vessel financing, while also bringing valuable experience in deep-sea mining, aviation, and aerospace asset finance. Will Alete offers additional proficiency in aviation finance, including aircraft sales and purchases, leasing arrangements, and export credit agency-backed financings. Matthew Bambury handles shipping finance and structured leasing transactions, while Georgie Field supports aircraft acquisitions and disposals, spare engine leases, and sustainability-linked structured financings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Five-star team.'
‘Always friendly and extremely professional. Everything just works.’
‘An excellent practice not just for aviation leasing and financing, but the wider aviation sector.’
‘Dan Cowdy makes himself available at short notice to help in crisis situations. Excellent commercial knowledge of the industry.'
- 'Will Alete understands the industry well and has good experience in dealing with the counterparties.’
- ‘Georgie Field is extremely accomplished and can handle both leasing matters and complex financings without skipping a beat, and is unflappable. Extremely pragmatic.'
Key clients
- ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC
- Air Canada
- Air India
- Amedeo + Voyager Aviation / VAH
- Banco Santander
- Bayerische Landesbank
- Bibby Marine
- BNP Paribas
- Carnival Corporation
- Citigroup
- Clover Aviation Capital
Work highlights
Advised Carnival Corporation in respect of two ECA-backed financings for five new cruise vessels.
Advising Saudia on its purchase of 50 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets from Lilium GmbH, with options for the purchase of 50 more.
Acting as special aviation counsel to SAS on its $1.2bn Exit Financing from Chapter 11.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Will Alete
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Matthew Bambury
Georgie Field
Practice head
Simon Hartley; Duncan Batchelor
Other key lawyers
Richard Howley; Eleanor Martin; Owen Mulholland; Will Alete; Emma Giddings; Simon Lew; Matthew Bambury; Georgie Field; Giles Brand; Andrew Williams; Dan Cowdy; Richard Green; Alex Blaney; Alexandra Somerset; Olivia Cullen; Corinne Rathie; Louise Auty; Nicholas Papadopoulos