Aviation and aerospace

The aviation industry has faced huge and contrasting pressures in recent years - from the turmoil of the global pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, followed by an array of consequent sanctions, to lengthy contractual disputes arising from supply chain disruption and the demands of increasing ESG regulatory issues.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, our aviation lawyers act across a wide range of matters for insurers, assureds, manufacturers, service providers, leasing companies and operators, providing specialist advice and significant experience in all aspects of aviation and aerospace law. Recognised as a leader in aviation insurance matters, we have an extensive track record in insurance and re-insurance coverage disputes on high value and complex multi-jurisdictional claims. We are particularly well placed to act for clients based in different jurisdictions and insured through the London market.

Our dedicated team has the strength and depth of expertise to advise on some of the largest and most significant pieces of insurance litigation. Following the introduction of UK, EU and US sanctions and embargoes against Russia and its entities in response to the military action in Ukraine in 2022, our team has advised on substantial claims arising. This is one of the largest insurance litigation matters currently in the English courts, both in terms of the scale and magnitude of aggregate claims. 

We are expertly placed to advise on all types of claims relating to hull, war risks and third party liability coverage. Our disputes work encompasses policies relating to lessors’ operator aviation policies and we are regularly involved in arbitrations arising from insurance and reinsurance disputes, including dealing with insurer arbitration clauses. We also have specialist expertise in handling coverage and claims investigations, and resolving disputes over satellite and aerospace technology. 

Drawing on resources across our UK and international team, our practice is recognised as a legal authority in both civil and military aviation disputes. We have acted on a variety of cases relating to aircraft fit out disputes and ground safety matters and were one of the lead advisers on the Shoreham Air Show Crash.  We have extensive experience of dealing with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Increasingly we are being asked to deal with a range of employment matters in the aviation sector including airline cabin crew duties and vaccination policies following Covid-19. Other areas of focus for our lawyers include the impact of the Civil Aviation (Working Time) Regulations on cabin crew, UK employment and industrial relations issues, substantive collective agreements and complex disability discrimination claims.