Fountain Court Chambers‘ barristers are called upon for some of the sector’s most complicated litigation, representing major airlines, insurers and other key players in disputes where considerable sums are at stake. Bankim Thanki KC is representing a number of syndicates facing claims from lessors on their all risk and war risk policies following the detention of their aircraft in Russia, and is also a popular choice for lessors in redelivery and rental payment disputes. Further insurance expertise comes in the form of James Cutress KC, leading the war risk team for AIG in defence of claims brought by a number of aircraft lessors with assets claimed by Russian carriers. Akhil Shah KC is also instructed in the Russian aircraft disputes, acting for Tokio Marine Kiln in defending claims made on war risk policies, and also appeared before the Supreme Court for the airline in Lipton v BA Cityflyer, which hinges on whether pilot illness constitutes extraordinary circumstances under EC261. Lessors instruct Rosalind Phelps KC on a range of disputes, ranging from delivery delay claims to issues over rents payable. Giles Robertson maintains a varied practice that spans issues from leasing and maintenance disputes to redelivery matters and delay compensation claims.

Members of Quadrant Chambers take on instructions from lessors, airlines and insurers across matters ranging from hull losses to leasing and redelivery disputes. John Kimbell KC is noted for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters, including representing families in claims arising out of fatal crashes. Insurance disputes form the basis of Guy Blackwood KC‘s practice, who leads for a number of parties defending operator all risk policy claims in AerCap (and ors) v AIG (and ors), while on the lessor side, Robert-Jan Temmink KC is handling claims against a number of Lloyds syndicates. Matthew Reeve KC is engaged by lessors bringing both lessor and operator claims against insurers, and also secured an injunction forcing disclosure of where non-airworthy parts for CFM56 engines were sold to the plaintiffs in GE Aviation and CFM v AOG Technics. Tom Bird maintains a strong insurer-side practice, defending a number of reinsurers facing operator claims in the wake of Russia’s confiscation of leased aircraft, with further experience appearing for parties in inquests investigating fatal accidents.

Noted for being ‘very strong on insurance work,’ 7 King’s Bench Walk‘s members are frequently tasked with the defence of claims made by aviation sector policyholders; head of chambers Gavin Kealey KC is well-versed on this front, leading for AIG in defence of AerCap’s $5bn all risk claims pertaining to aircraft re-registered in Russia. Andrew Wales KC is also involved in this matter, in addition to representing several other insurers facing all risk claims in the wake of Russian aircraft seizures. Emma Hilliard fuses her insurer-side practice with leasing disputes and denied-boarding work and issues arising under the Montreal Convention. James Goudkamp is instructed by a leading reinsurer in relation to a number of lessor claims arising out of the Russian claims, with Frederick Alliott acting for lessors, both in relation to insurance claims for aircraft detained in Russia and other leasing matters, including non-payment of rent and aircraft condition issues.

XXIV Old Buildings‘s members take instructions spanning the full breadth of aviation matters, covering insurance disputes, leasing issues that range from non-payment of rents to redelivery matters, and other claims arising out of hull losses. Steven Thompson KC is noted for his expertise in matters tied to aircraft maintenance and leasing challenges. Edward Cumming KC is highly sought after by airlines in dispute with lessors regarding aircraft condition, appearing for the airline in Jet2.com v SmartLynx, concerning liabilities resulting from the delivery of allegedly poorly maintained aircraft. Bajul Shah is acting for a number of hull risk reinsurers facing claims in the wake of Russian aircraft seizures, also taking on product liability cases in the sector, while Tom Stewart Coats‘ growing aviation practice encompasses redelivery disputes, acting for major airlines in relation to maintenance obligations.