Aviation | UK

Highly reputed for its aviation liability practice and ability to handle multijurisdictional claims, HFW advises an impressive roster of clients, including airlines and manufacturers. The team has additional expertise in aviation regulatory work and is also active on transactional matters, including complex aircraft leasing deals and insolvencies.

Norton Rose Fulbright enjoys an excellent reputation for the strength of its aviation asset finance practice. The team also excels in advising clients on regulatory and competition law matters, and routinely attracts mandates from a wide range of clients, including airlines and lessors. An additional area of strength for the team is its handling of contentious matters, particularly contractual and leasing disputes. It is also highly experienced in multijurisdictional matters, with notable global reach.

DLA Piper offers a comprehensive aviation service that advises on regulatory concerns, litigation and transactions, with notable experience in insurance matters. Its clients include large UK carriers as well as leading aviation insurers and international airlines. The team is able to leverage its vast global network to coordinate multijurisdictional disputes and advise clients on UK, EU and international regulations. Its lawyers also advise on ground-handling matters and issues surrounding slot allocation.

Kennedys maintains a strong aviation team with considerable global reach. It advises on a comprehensive range of aviation matters, including regulatory and contentious work, with particular strength in aviation insurance. The team represents major airlines and prominent insurers in large loss claims arising out of the most high-profile aviation accidents, often in international territory, and also acts for private aircraft owners.

Stephenson Harwood is renowned for its ability to handle aviation finance, leasing and aviation litigation matters on a global level. The team is particularly well known for its accomplished representation in international arbitration. Its lawyers maintain strong relationships with a number of key airlines, and also have experience of representing major banks and aircraft lessors. Regulatory advice is another strength of the group.

Bird & Bird enjoys extensive experience across a broad range of aviation law concerns, including aircraft financing, insurance, regulatory matters and competition. The firm is regularly instructed by airlines, as well as lessors and further advises on a range of commercial concerns, including data protection and supply agreements. The team also has expertise in the field of UAS and drones.

DAC Beachcroft advises a range of insurers and airlines on contentious work, including coverage and subrogation issues. The team is also adept at handling claims arising from major loss in the context of crashes.

Weightmans often acts for both insurers and airlines across a range of matters. It has particular strength in handling subrogation claims and claims for damages and failures to pay. The team also defends against claims brought by passengers and has experience in matters involving fatal accidents.

CMS is recognised for its comprehensive aviation experience for both domestic and international mandates. It has notable experience in insurance matters, advising insurers and airlines on policy coverage issues.

Holland & Knight's clients benefit from international resources, particularly across the USA, on complex multijurisdictional matters. The team provides clients with a range of regulatory and commercial advice, and also advises on leasing and contract disputes. Its lawyers act for a diverse range of bodies within the aviation sector, including financial service providers, lessors, aircraft suppliers and international airlines.

Watson Farley & Williams is recognised for its ability to handle multijurisdictional aviation matters, with notable expertise in contentious matters. Its client roster includes lessors, airlines and financial services providers. The team also has additional expertise in aviation regulatory work.