Norton Rose Fulbright
‘Leader in the field’, Norton Rose Fulbright offers a full-service aviation practice, advising on commercial matters including aircraft purchases and leasing arrangements, regulatory issues and slot issues. On the contentious side, the firm has recently acted for lessors and financial institutions making insurance claims in relation to aircraft seized in Russia. The firm is also noted for its EC 261 claims handling work, offering specialised legal tech to help airline clients manage these claims. Leading the team are Patrick Farrell and Robin Springthorpe, both aviation litigation specialists, while Duncan Batchelor focuses on asset financing as part of a wider commercial practice. Charlotte Winter, Annabelle Wheeler and Zayba Drabu focus on aviation disputes, including those pertaining to leasing, manufacturing issues and repossessions. Will Alete has a strong commercial aircraft leasing and acquisition practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Fast responding, very practical and clear advice.'
- 'The team is very experienced and knowledgeable in aviation. They are responsive and always try to find a practical solution to any issues.'
- 'Norton Rose has strength in depth and outstanding talent. The firm has a deep understanding of the industry and provides outstanding results for their clients.'
- 'Charlotte Winter: a great intellect who fights hard for her clients. Charlotte sees solutions and then delivers them. Zayba Drabu: A tough litigator who has a very strong understanding of the sector. Annabelle Wheeler: a brilliant lawyer and accomplished litigator. Patrick Farrell: a wise head to navigate the uncertainties thrown to the aviation industry. Robin Springthorpe: an accomplished legal mind who provides airlines with practical solutions.'
- 'Excellent client relationship, proactivity, hardworking, very smart and dedicated to meeting our objectives.'
- 'Robin Springthorpe is a first-class litigator - very good with managing the client relationship.'
- 'Norton Rose Fulbright are leaders in their field.'
- 'Charlotte Winter and Zayba Drabu are my go-to partners for disputes advice.'
Key clients
- 777 Partners
- Air Canada
- AirTanker
- Atoz Aviation Finance S.à r.l.
- The Carlyle Group
- British Airways
- CargoLogicAir
- Delta Air Lines, Inc
- DHL
- DS Aviation
- easyJet plc
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
- flyadeal Airline Company
- Flynas
- FTAI AirOpCo UK Limited
- FW Aviation (Holdings) 1 Limited
- Gama Aviation PLC
- Jet2.com
- Qatar Airways
- SAS
- Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia)
- TUI
- Virgin Atlantic
- Voyager Holdings
- Wizz Air
Work highlights
- Represented an ad hoc group of creditors, with claims totalling approximately $1bn in a $6bn debt restructuring of Nordic Aviation Capital DAC and its subsidiaries and group companies, by way of implementation via Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
- Advised Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) on a leasing dispute involving claims in respect of the leases of a large fleet of 50 Airbus aircraft, totalling approximately $4bn.
- Advised FW Aviation (Holdings) Limited in its Commercial Court claim against VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company in respect of four aircraft which were on lease to VietJet.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Duncan Batchelor, Patrick Farrell, Robin Springthorpe