Paul Phillips
Stephenson HarwoodStephenson Harwood‘s ’astute, commercial and focused’ team takes on the gamut of aviation matters, acting for airlines, lessors and banks in relation to asset financing, leases, regulatory issues and disputes. The practice is headed by Paul Phillips, an aviation litigation specialist, and Richard Parsons, who focuses on aviation finance. James Collins is noted for his aircraft and engine transactional work, including sale-and-leaseback arrangements. Of counsel Chloe Challinor, managing associate Johnny Champion and associate Patrick Bettle are aviation litigation specialists, representing clients in commercial and regulatory proceedings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Communication by SH was very detailed and complete. Contact was very responsive.'
- 'Contacts are knowledgeable and professional.'
- 'The team at SH Legal is very good. They have good knowledge and experience of the subject matter.'
- 'All worked very well and deserve full credit.'
- 'Consistency of their approach is key.'
- 'Excellent communicators and prompt with support.'
- 'Very astute, commercial and focused. A lot of depth in the team with a wide range of complementary skills. Experts in their field, and absolutely the best litigation team in London.'
- 'Paul Phillips is a luminary in his field - passionate about his cases and very commercially astute.'
Key clients
- The Ryanair Group of airlines: Ryanair DAC, Ryanair UK, Buzz, Malta Air and Lauda Europe
- The Lion Air Group of airlines: Lion Air, Batik Air, Wings Air, Malindo Air and Thai Lion Air
- AirAsia
- Air France
- Avion Express
- Buraq Air
- China Southern Airlines
- Gulf Air
- IndiGo
- Kuwait Airways Corporation
- Norse Atlantic Airways
- Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- Royal Wings
- Vueling
- Aircraft Engine Lease Finance
- Aircraft Leasing and Management
- Altavair
- Alterna Capital Partners
- Archway Aviation
- Avation| Plc Group
- BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management
- DAE Capital
- Deucalion Aviation
- Engine Lease Finance Corporation
- ICBC Leasing
- International Airfinance Corporation
- Jackson Square Aviation
- Macquarie AirFinance
- Macquarie Aircraft Leasing, Services (US) Inc
- Rostrum Leasing
- SMBC Leasing
- Sky Leasing
- TFDAC
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ)
- BNP Paribas
- MUFG Bank
Work highlights
- Acted for Transportation Partners in multi-jurisdictional proceedings relating to unpaid aircraft rent during the Covid-19 pandemic and the restructuring of the Lion Air Group.
- Acted for Ryanair in two high-value and complex claims brought by On The Beach Limited in the English High Court.
- Represented Alterna Aircraft V B Limited in a claim for unpaid aircraft rent against the third-largest Indian airline, SpiceJet, worth over $11m. In March 2023 successfully obtained summary judgment against SpiceJet and defeated their request for a stay of execution.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Chloe Challinor
Stephenson HarwoodPatrick Bettle
Stephenson HarwoodPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Paul Phillips, Richard Parsons