Aviation finance
Lease and redelivery disputes
Represented a number of airlines and lessors on high-value disputes arising out of the operation of wet and dry leases, maintenance, redelivery or repossession of leased aircraft and engines over a range of issues including compliance with return conditions, AOGs, C-Checks, airframe structural repairs, engine shop visits, engine thrust increases, APUs, and whether maintenance events qualify for release from accrued maintenance reserves.
Regulatory advice
Advised airlines on a variety of commercial and regulatory aspects, including the setting up of a new UK airline, new cabin baggage policies, initial and continuing airworthiness requirements, air operations, flight and cabin crew and maintenance personnel licences, and the ability to continue the uninterrupted operation of air services following Brexit.
Dispute with maintenance repair and overhaul organisation (MRO)
Advised a client in relation to a lien (or a right of retention) asserted by the MRO for alleged outstanding amounts owed by the operator, and the MRO's threat to part-out / sell the aircraft.
Disputes with air navigation service providers
Represented Ryanair in challenging the interpretation of EC Regulation 391/2013 concerning the common charging scheme for air navigation charges in light of the Chicago Convention, ICAO Annex 8, and ICAO's policies and guidance.
Disputes with airport slots coordinator
Represented a number of airlines in defending / appealing substantial financial sanctions proposed / issued by airport slots coordinator related to those airlines' alleged operation at slot-coordinated (capacity constrained) airports at times significantly different from the allocated slots.
Disputes with airports
Represented several carriers on disputes with airports over airport fees and charges, ground handling services, discriminatory pricing, and state aid.
Dispute with operational partners
Advised airlines on agreements with suppliers and codeshare agreements with other airlines.
Repossessions
Advised a bank on steps to repossess two Boeing 777 aircraft following the borrower's threat of non-payment and flying the aircraft to another jurisdiction for unapproved cabin reconfiguration works.
Restructuring and insolvency
Advised trustee in bankruptcy on contractual rights following the bankruptcy of AS Estonia Air.
More: Aviation finance
Aviation litigation and regulation
Lease and redelivery disputes
Represented a number of airlines and lessors on high-value disputes arising out of the operation of wet and dry leases, maintenance, redelivery or repossession of leased aircraft and engines over a range of issues including compliance with return conditions, AOGs, C-Checks, airframe structural repairs, engine shop visits, engine thrust increases, APUs, and whether maintenance events qualify for release from accrued maintenance reserves.
Regulatory advice
Advised airlines on a variety of commercial and regulatory aspects, including the setting up of a new UK airline, new cabin baggage policies, initial and continuing airworthiness requirements, air operations, flight and cabin crew and maintenance personnel licences, and the ability to continue the uninterrupted operation of air services following Brexit.
Dispute with maintenance repair and overhaul organisation (MRO)
Advised a client in relation to a lien (or a right of retention) asserted by the MRO for alleged outstanding amounts owed by the operator, and the MRO's threat to part-out / sell the aircraft.
Disputes with air navigation service providers
Represented Ryanair in challenging the interpretation of EC Regulation 391/2013 concerning the common charging scheme for air navigation charges in light of the Chicago Convention, ICAO Annex 8, and ICAO's policies and guidance.
Disputes with airport slots coordinator
Represented a number of airlines in defending / appealing substantial financial sanctions proposed / issued by airport slots coordinator related to those airlines' alleged operation at slot-coordinated (capacity constrained) airports at times significantly different from the allocated slots.
Disputes with airports
Represented several carriers on disputes with airports over airport fees and charges, ground handling services, discriminatory pricing, and state aid.
Dispute with operational partners
Advised airlines on agreements with suppliers and codeshare agreements with other airlines.
Repossessions
Advised a bank on steps to repossess two Boeing 777 aircraft following the borrower's threat of non-payment and flying the aircraft to another jurisdiction for unapproved cabin reconfiguration works.
Restructuring and insolvency
Advised trustee in bankruptcy on contractual rights following the bankruptcy of AS Estonia Air.
More: Aviation litigation and regulation
Commercial litigation
Laudamotion GmbH v Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Acted for LaudaMotion (the Austrian airline set up in 2018 and founded by Formula 1 driving legend Niki Lauda) in a highly publicised aircraft leasing dispute with Lufthansa in the Commercial Court. LaudaMotion's success in the case was critical to its ability to continue to operate, as the dispute related to whether Lufthansa could terminate leases on the majority of the aircraft in LaudaMotion's fleet during the height of the summer season.
Chinese airline
Represented a Chinese airline in a US$22 million ICC arbitration arising out of the redelivery of two leased aircraft.
Middle Eastern airline
Represented a Middle Eastern airline in US$16 million ICC arbitration in relation to alleged breach of a joint venture agreement.
Cypriot banks
Acted for a number of Cypriot banks in defending allegations of mis-selling of foreign currency loans, and managing recovery proceedings against debtors.
Motorsport
Advised a circuit owner and a motorcycle chassis manufacturer on issues arising out of their respective contracts with suppliers.
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Commercial litigation