Hugh O' Donovan

Hugh’s client base is international and he has advised at the highest levels in the aviation industry, the travel industry, governments, regulators  and in the financial communities. He is  an experienced advocate before courts and tribunals as well as before the Competition Commission and the European Commission. 

He accepts   instructions from both law firms and “direct access” clients in the aviation and travel industry.

He is an experienced arbitrator and mediator.

He has for many years been recognised as a leading expert on aviation law, and over that time has been described in the leading directories as "a doyen of aviation regulatory work", " the best general aviation lawyer around” and , most recently (Chambers and Partners Guide 2009), “clients enthuse that there are very few lawyers who have the specialist understanding of the aviation and regulatory environment that he does.”

Hugh’s legal practice embraces:

International aviation regulation including international air service agreements, international aviation treaties and conventions.UK & EC competition, state aids, and merger law applying to aviation and travel.

Commercial agreements in the aviation industry, including airline alliances, code sharing, airport slot exchanges and transfers and other inter-carrier agreements, airport services agreements, ground handling and supplier agreements

Conditions of carriage, carriers regulations and industry standard terms and conditions generally.

Travel law and consumer  protection; the regulation and terms and conditions of travel agents, tour operators, computer reservation services and other means of distribution.

Aircraft and equipment leases: operating leases, wet leases, dry leases, finance leases, sale and purchase contracts.

Airport and air traffic control regulation.

Aviation liabilities.

English criminal law relating to aviation and travel, including contraventions of the Air Navigation Order, offences relating to the illegal importation of animals, firearms, armaments, drugs, security, currency and immigration.

Advocacy before English courts and tribunals (including the Civil Aviation Authority and hearings before the Competition Commission) and the European Commission and. the European Court of Justice.

Trained Mediator with particular experience of mediating aviation and travel law disputes.

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