Laurentia de Bruyn

Notable Aviation & Travel Cases

DAE 6583 Ireland Limited v Saudi Gulf Airlines Company & Ors

As sole counsel, obtained permission to apply for summary judgment in the Commercial Court for approximately US$11.3 million on behalf of an aircraft lessor following failures by the aircraft lessee and guarantors to make payments under an aircraft lease agreement and guarantees.

As sole counsel, advising an aircraft lessee regarding its obligations and options under an aircraft lease agreement with the lessor, which was ultimately owned by the Russian State, following the imposition of international sanctions upon Russian entities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ross Leasing Limited & Ors v Nile Air

As sole counsel, represented Nile Air in successfully resisting the making final of a third party debt order against sums owed to it by the International Air Transport Association in proceedings brought by the aircraft lessors to enforce the judgment debt owed by Nile Air. Enforcement proceedings reported at: [2021] EWHC 2201 (Comm).

Ross Leasing Limited & Ors v Nile Air

As sole counsel, represented Nile Air in summary judgment proceedings brought against it by aircraft lessors in the Commercial Court for non-payment of aircraft lease payments for the lease of three Airbus A320-200 aircraft.

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd v SpiceJet Ltd

Led by Akhil Shah QC, represented SpiceJet in a dispute in the Commercial Court arising from De Havilland’s claim against SpiceJet for non-payment of sums in respect of the purchase of 25 Q-400 series aircraft under a Purchase Agreement including advising on the mertis, preparing pleadings, appearing at the hearing of the cross-claims for summary judgment and/or strike out, successfully obtaining permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal, and in the Court of Appeal regarding De Havilland’s application for a conditional order pursuant to CPR r. 52.18(1)(a) and/or an order that SpiceJet provide security for costs of the appeal. Reported at: [2021] EWCA CIV 1834 (Court of Appeal) and [2021] EWHC 362 (Comm) (Commercial Court).

DS-Rendite-Fonds Nr. 136 Flugzeugfonds XI GmbH & Co. KG v Société Air France

Led by Akhil Shah KC, represented the Claimant in Commercial Court proceedings brought against Air France for failure to redeliver an Airbus A380-861 aircraft in accordance with the terms of an aircraft operating lease agreement including advising, preparing pleadings, appearing at the case management conference, including obtaining an order for further information.

AWAS Netherlands A320-a BV v Pacific Airlines Aviation Joint Stock Company

As sole counsel, prepared Particulars of Claim on behalf of an aircraft lessor in respect of outstanding payments due under an aircraft lease agreement by the lessee, wrongful removal of parts from the leased aircraft, and return of the aircraft in a condition that was not compliant with the lease agreement.

AWAS 6696 Ireland Limited & Ors v Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company

As sole counsel, prepared the Reply on behalf of an aircraft lessor following the aircraft lessor’s pleaded defence of the doctrine of frustration to the aircraft lessor’s claim for outstanding payments due under an aircraft lease agreement.

Instructed to appear (as sole counsel) for airlines in the County Court in numerous claims by passengers for compensation under Regulation 261/2004, the Montreal Convention and the common law.

Advising on the merits of a claim arising out of a fatal helicopter accident (as a pupil).

Preparing particulars of claim in a dispute between an airline and airport ground services company following damage to an aircraft (as a pupil).