Keystone Law

Aviation

James is an international aviation lawyer, with 30 years’ experience of resolving high-profile aviation accidents worldwide. He is a triple-qualified lawyer in England & Wales, Ireland and New York and is a licensed helicopter pilot.

James has unrivalled experience and understanding of the aviation insurance market based on his 15 years of working at its heart in London. He has represented families and pilots/crew, as well as aviation insurers in aviation accidents on six continents (including even Antarctica and Hawaii). Airline, helicopter and business jet accidents are his particular expertise, as are catastrophic / burns-related and high-net-worth injuries. He has a track record of achieving swift settlements at record levels.

James sits part-time as HM Coroner in Sussex, hearing a wide range of Inquests, often of a complex nature and with juries. He is also an accredited mediator and arbitrator with the Royal Aeronautical Society and JAMS (US Judicial and Arbitration Mediation Services).

In addition, James has extensive first-hand knowledge of the following: Helicopters – Agusta 109, Airbus 120, 125, 130, MD 500/600/900 (Notar), Bell 206, Leonardo AW 139, Robinson R22/44; Fixed Wing – Airbus A310, A320 & A330, Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767 & 777, Cessna 172, 205, 208, Hawker Hunter T7 (Jet Fighter), Extra 300 (Aerobatic), Tiger Moth.

James qualified as a barrister in 1991, a New York Attorney in 1998 and a solicitor in 2006. He was admitted to the Irish Law Society in 2018. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2021, he worked at Stewarts Law, Amlin plc and Global Aerospace. He sits part-time as HM Coroner in Sussex on a wide range of complex jury inquests.