The Cooper Grace Ward Aviation team, led by partner Kevin Bartlett, has been recognised for its excellence in servicing the dynamic and highly regulated aviation sector*.

Members of the Aviation team have provided a range of services to the aviation and insurance industries within Australia and internationally for more than 25 years. Additionally, the Cooper Grace Ward Commercial team is regularly asked to advise on aircraft acquisition and finance, leasing and employment issues.

We work with clients in the following areas:

Insurance

• Policy interpretation and coverage issues;
• Subrogation; and
• Policy wordings and endorsements.

Liability

• Aircraft accident litigation;
• Hull and third party personal injury and property damage claims;
• Carriage by air claims involving Montreal and Warsaw Conventions;
• Denied boarding claims;
• Hangarkeeper and product liability claims;
• General aviation and sports aviation liabilities (from balloons to parachuting, and from fixed wing to helicopters); and
• Ground handling liabilities.

Regulatory

• Accident investigations including coronial inquiries;
• Aircraft certification and registration;
• Crew licensing;
• Defence of CASA prosecutions;
• Judicial review; and
• Environmental and airport land use planning issues.

Commercial

• Aircraft acquisition, finance and leasing;
• Employment;
• Health and safety; and
• Compliance and governance.

Clients of our Aviation team include leading Australian and London insurers, brokers, airlines, general aviation owners and operators, a national television network, fixed wing and helicopter training facilities, repair organisations, pilots, and leading aviation law practitioners in the UK, USA and New Zealand.

Our association with the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, dating back to 1984, ensures that members of the Aviation team remain committed to the industry and are better equipped to serve our clients.

Kevin Bartlett’s longstanding association with McGill University’s pre-eminent Institute of Air and Space Law also provides our team with a strong network of contacts around the world in leading positions within global insurance and aviation circles.

* Recent awards in recognition of excellence in the aviation sector.