SILK PROFILE
Akhil Shah KC

Akhil Shah KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by Fountain Court Chambers

Practice Areas

General commercial disputes including aviation, re/ insurance, arbitration, banking and sanctions.

Expertise in aviation disputes including aircraft finance, aircraft leasing, product design, aviation insurance and reinsurance, regulatory work and carriage by air.

Notable cases include: Celestial v UniCredit (letter of credit and sanctions dispute); DAE v War Risks Insurers (Aircraft reinsurance dispute arising from Russian invasion of Ukraine); FWA v VietJet (Aircraft repossession dispute); Qatar Airways v Airbus (aircraft delivery / product liability dispute); Wilmington Trust v SpiceJet (frustration of aircraft lease); Airbus v Generali (jurisdiction/title to sue); Re:Thomas Cook (in liquidation) (airline licensing); Re:Monarch Airways (in administration) (judicial review of airport slot allocation); LAIL and OTS v Maroil (joint venture/shareholder dispute concerning reflective loss) Petrosaudi v Novo Banco (banking / letter of credit); Alpstream v PK and GECAS (aircraft finance); Involnert v Aprilgrange and others (insurance moral hazard); Lipton v BA CityFlyer (SC) (UK Reg 261 rights); Jet 2 v Huzar (CA) (EC Reg 261 rights); Blue Sky v Chartis & Others (insurance dispute re: theft of Boeing 747 aircraft to Iran); PK v Mahan (arrest of aircraft and enforcement of judgment); DTVA v bmibaby (low cost airline dispute with airport); Kibris v SoS and Republic of Cyprus (review of right to fly from UK); Airbus Industrie G.I.E v Patel (Jurisdiction; anti-suit injunction; product liability); acting in Bermuda Form and other international arbitration disputes.

Career

Called 1990; KC 2010; British Virgin Islands Bar 1999.

Professional Memberships

COMBAR.

Publications

Contributor to Bullen & Leak & Jacobs 'Precedents of Pleading' (19th ed) and 'Carriage by Air', editor of Halsbury’s Laws “Aviation” (2017, 5th ed).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Aviation - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Akhil Shah KC is an in-demand silk who enjoys a reputation for providing clients with well-considered, first-rate legal counsel. Clients appreciate his cerebral and professional demeanour, which he applies to a multitude of aviation cases, including those relating to regulatory and commercial disputes. His expertise ranges from leasing matters to contentious insolvency-related issues.

Travel: Regulatory & Commercial - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Akhil Shah KC stands out in the market due to his expertise and proven track record in key travel cases concerning flight delay claims and passenger rights. Many of these cases have set new legal precedents. In addition, he advises on new market entries and questions arising from the Denied Boarding Regulations. He acts for airlines, tour operators and regulatory bodies.

Product Liability - London (Bar)

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Akhil Shah KC specialises in highly technical product liability claims, particularly in the aviation sector. He offers significant expertise in cases concerning design and manufacturing defects in aircraft and helicopters. In addition, he is experienced in actions involving defective medical devices.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Akhil is authoritative, measured and someone whose arguments carry weight. He's truly impressive.

    AviationUK Bar
  • Akhil is the king of this area.

    AviationUK Bar
  • Akhil is still the leading silk in aviation in my view. He's very on top of the detail and uses that to great effect in cross-examination. He's a sight to behold when in full flow.

    AviationUK Bar
  • An extremely lovely and very smooth advocate who is great to work with.

    AviationUK Bar
  • He's very meticulous in his approach. He's very on top of the detail and uses that to great effect in cross-examination; it's a sight to behold.

    Travel: Regulatory & CommercialUK Bar
  • Akhil is very strong in the space.

    Travel: Regulatory & CommercialUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Fountain Court Chambers (259)

All Circuits

London (Bar)

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