Ranking tables

Aviation: Regulatory | UK

UK-wide

This section includes the leading law firms and lawyers who specialise in the aviation sector. Law firms' departments are ranked in the overarching Aviation table. Lawyers can be ranked for their specific specialisms in the Claimant, Insurance, Regulatory and Dispute Resolution tables. Insurance includes the leading lawyers for insurance in the aviation sector. These individuals most likely advise insurance companies and/or the insured and are capable of representing them at the highest level. Lawyers are assessed on their ability to advise on a range of insurance matters, including third-party claims, claims settlements, coverage, litigation and other aspects of liability. Regulatory covers lawyers with specialist expertise concerning the regulation of the aviation industry, including proceedings involving the European Commission, UK Civil Aviation Authority, UK Office of Fair Trading and ABTA.   Claimant covers lawyers who assist victims and their families in claims arising from both commercial and non-commercial aviation accidents.   Dispute Resolution  covers non-insurance related disputes concerning the activities of aviation sector entities. 

All Lawyers profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Mark Franklin
    1
    Mark Franklin
    DLA Piper LLP
    DLA Piper LLP | Aviation: Regulatory
    2025 | Band 1 | 27 Years Ranked
    Mark Franklin offers vast experience acting for insurers and insured clients on liability claims following high-profile air disasters as well as advising on aviation regulation.
2

Band 2

  1. Tony Payne
    2
    Tony Payne
    DLA Piper LLP
    DLA Piper LLP | Aviation: Regulatory
    2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years Ranked
    Tony Payne specialises in regulatory matters and regularly acts on behalf of a wide range of clients in the aviation sector, including international airlines, airports and manufacturers.
3

Band 3

  1. Kim Dietzel
    3
    Kim Dietzel
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Herbert Smith Freehills | Aviation: Regulatory
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Co-head of the firm's aviation practice, Kim Dietzel is qualified as a solicitor advocate and benefits from having a broad knowledge of EU regulatory and competition laws. She has experience handling aviation regulatory approval processes and runway slot allocation regulations.
  2. 3
    Simon Phippard
    Bird & Bird
    Bird & Bird | Aviation: Regulatory
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Simon Phippard of Bird & Bird advises clients on a variety of regulatory matters in the field of aviation, including novel issues such as drones and unmanned aircraft systems.
  3. Thomas Van der Wijngaart
    3
    Thomas Van der Wijngaart
    Clyde & Co LLP
    Clyde & Co LLP | Aviation: Regulatory
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Thomas Van der Wijngaart advises airlines and foreign governments on regulatory compliance, airline licensing and air service negotiations. Additionally, he has experience handling insurance disputes.