Industry specialties
Aviation
The aviation industry demands absolute precision, from adhering to exacting aviation regulations to ensuring regulatory compliance at every level.
At Ford Sumner Lawyers, we recognise the challenges faced by airlines, airports, and aviation-related businesses, especially in areas like aviation law, corporate law and governance, and employment matters.
As legal partners to 12 New Zealand airports, our team is dedicated to delivering legal advice that safeguards your operations and upholds the highest standards of safety and security.
Why Choose Ford Sumner Lawyers?
With strict aviation regulations set out by authorities like the Civil Aviation Authority, businesses must navigate complex requirements around aircraft financing, workforce management, and safety protocols. Failure to comply can result in significant financial, legal, and reputational consequences.
Our lawyers specialise in identifying potential risks before they escalate, creating robust strategies that keep your organisation ahead of ever-evolving compliance requirements. By offering holistic legal services across contracts, employment issues, and broader corporate law matters, we help you maintain confidence in an environment where every detail matters.
Drawing on our extensive industry experience, Ford Sumner Lawyers delivers tailored solutions suited to your specific operational model. From advising on safety standards and civil aviation obligations to handling dispute resolution and contract negotiations, we apply our deep understanding of aviation law to guide you through the most demanding challenges.
Whether you’re an airline, an established operator, or a regulatory body seeking expert counsel, our client-focused approach ensures you benefit from clear, actionable advice every step of the way.
We act for aircraft owners, airlines, airport authorities, logistics companies, aviation insurers and aircraft services providers.
Our domestic and international aviation law specialists can assist with the sale and purchase of aircraft, ownership arrangements, aviation-related facilities and other assets connected to the operation of an aircraft or aviation business. Within our team we have a helicopter specialist, as well as team members experienced with fixed-wing aircraft. We also have expertise related to landing rights, airspace issues and regulations.
Hesketh Henry’s air law service extends to dispute resolution and insurance claims connected to cargo and the carrying of passengers. Hull damage is another specialised area of aviation insurance we can assist with.
For aviation-centred businesses, we can help with other areas of law (such as health and safety, employment and commercial contracts) to provide one-stop shop convenience.
Our domestic and international aviation law specialists can assist with the sale and purchase of aircraft, ownership arrangements, aviation-related facilities and other assets connected to the operation of an aircraft or aviation business. Within our team we have a helicopter specialist, as well as team members experienced with fixed-wing aircraft. We also have expertise related to landing rights, airspace issues and regulations.
Hesketh Henry’s air law service extends to dispute resolution and insurance claims connected to cargo and the carrying of passengers. Hull damage is another specialised area of aviation insurance we can assist with.
For aviation-centred businesses, we can help with other areas of law (such as health and safety, employment and commercial contracts) to provide one-stop shop convenience.
We act for aircraft owners, airlines, airport authorities, logistics companies, aviation insurers and aircraft services providers.
Our domestic and international aviation law specialists can assist with the sale and purchase of aircraft, ownership arrangements, aviation-related facilities and other assets connected to the operation of an aircraft or aviation business. Within our team we have a helicopter specialist, as well as team members experienced with fixed-wing aircraft. We also have expertise related to landing rights, airspace issues and regulations.
Hesketh Henry’s air law service extends to dispute resolution and insurance claims connected to cargo and the carrying of passengers. Hull damage is another specialised area of aviation insurance we can assist with.
For aviation-centred businesses, we can help with other areas of law (such as health and safety, employment and commercial contracts) to provide one-stop shop convenience.
Our domestic and international aviation law specialists can assist with the sale and purchase of aircraft, ownership arrangements, aviation-related facilities and other assets connected to the operation of an aircraft or aviation business. Within our team we have a helicopter specialist, as well as team members experienced with fixed-wing aircraft. We also have expertise related to landing rights, airspace issues and regulations.
Hesketh Henry’s air law service extends to dispute resolution and insurance claims connected to cargo and the carrying of passengers. Hull damage is another specialised area of aviation insurance we can assist with.
For aviation-centred businesses, we can help with other areas of law (such as health and safety, employment and commercial contracts) to provide one-stop shop convenience.
Case study
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Examples of work completed by our team include:
- Representing Tier 1 contractors and international consulting engineers in high value infrastructure disputes.
- Preparing and negotiating construction contracts and consultancy agreements for various horizontal and vertical projects, covering transport, energy, wastewater, conference and leisure facilities, warehousing, process engineering, and office, retail, and apartment developments.
- Advising on construction contract claims involving variations, extensions of time, prolongation, disruption, acceleration, and contract administration, together with dispute resolution strategy.
- Representing head contractors on issues arising under multi-storey remediation projects.
- Handling numerous adjudication proceedings on behalf of clients at all levels of the supply chain.
- Prosecuting and defending liability claims arising from infrastructure, commercial, and high-end residential developments, including New Zealand’s largest construction claim to date.
“The Aviation team at Ford Sumner were knowledgeable and empathetic to our situation. We we re more than happy with the outcome and would use them again in the future.”
Client, Air New Zealand
“The Aviation team at Ford Sumner were knowledgeable and empathetic to our situation. We we re more than happy with the outcome and would use them again in the future.”
Client, Air New Zealand
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Simone De Beauvoir, Dispute client 2024