Bird & Bird's International Aviation Group includes lawyers who have spent long periods of their careers working in-house within the industry (both for manufacturers and airlines) and lawyers with degrees in aeronautical engineering
Our in-depth knowledge and experience of the aviation sector, combined with our reputation and expertise in the many areas of law that impact it, enables us to respond quickly to specific issues and to provide practical business focused legal advice. We take pride in helping our clients to reach commercially workable solutions on a wide range of innovative transactions and ventures which are often at the cutting-edge of business and legal developments.
We currently act for many of the world's major aviation companies including several airlines, lessors and financiers, airports, groundhandlers, insurers and industry associations.
Product Liability
Product liability claims are increasing throughout the world including in the aviation & aerospace sector. This is true for product manufacturers, B2C and B2B retailers, and all intermediaries, including distributors, suppliers, retailers and importers, all of whom are exposed to a range of product liability risks from faults in delivered products.
These claims are often complex due to the combination of European legislation with the national laws of each Member State.
Our product liability specialists have in-depth knowledge of the aviation & aerospace sector combined with many years experience in handling product liability disputes and non-contentious matters.
Contentious
We are well known for our product liability advice in the aviation & aerospace sector. We are experienced in resolving domestic and international disputes before criminal, civil and commercial courts or in national and international arbitration.
We have considerable experience working with insurers, their experts, and in-house engineers to set up teams capable of managing all stages of litigation, from the technical and financial aspects through to court proceedings.
We have advised on a large number of international contentious issues. This includes advising a large aircraft manufacturer and acting on the civil and criminal implications of group actions brought by several hundred claimants following aircraft accidents. We have also advised in claims against equipment manufacturers and suppliers many of which have international aspects such as jurisdiction and implication of applicable law.
We also provide advice on:
- Aviation and product liability claims
- Claims relating to aircraft incidents / accidents
- General aviation claims
- Damage to aircraft whilst on the ground
- Contractual claims
- All areas of carrier liability
- Aviation insurance
- National and European regulatory issues
Non-contentious
Our non-contentious advice includes reviewing contractual documents, defining processes such as criminal and legal risk and helping to produce plans to manage risk, or offering bespoke legal risk training to staff without a legal background (purchasing staff for instance).
Together with our business crime experts, we are able to help companies avoid criminal risk for unintentional offences and offences under the Consumer Code and to defend legal representatives and the corporate entities against the increasing number of proceedings, in particular those relating to hygiene and safety.