Author/contributor
Paul Jebely
Partner
Commercial aviation moves nearly USD 3 trillion in global trade each year, yet many disputes still taxi through national courts that were never designed for cross-border engineering questions or multi-party leasing rows.
Chambers’ new practice guide – Aviation Disputes 2025 – jointly authored by partner Paul P. Jebely and leading counsel Philip Shepherd KC, sets out a clearer flightpath.
A Framework for Modern Aviation Arbitration
What readers will find inside the new guide:
- Frameworks that fit the industry. Court structures, arbitral rules, and practical guidance on drafting aircraft arbitration clauses.
- Pre-action strategy. Service, injunctive relief, and disclosure that protect both asset value and deal momentum.
- Costs and procedure. Virtual hearings, limited discovery, and built-in time limits that keep spend proportionate.
- Appeals and enforcement. Comparing award review standards with the realities of engine seizures, Cape Town filings, and multi-jurisdiction recovery.
- Future outlook. Med-arb hybrids and model clauses that give parties extra scope to settle without losing the certainty of a final decision.
The 150-page practice guide traces a clear pivot from traditional litigation to specialist arbitration forums such as the Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA).
“Arbitration built by aviation insiders turns dispute risk into a managed commercial step, not a drain on enterprise value,” observes Jebely as he describes why HCAA’s six-month default timetable resonates with financiers and operators alike.
Specialist panels are only part of the story. The authors explain how the New York Convention’s 172-state network converts an arbitral award into enforceable relief almost everywhere a jet can land.
Shepherd notes, “Match sector knowledge with arbitral best practice and speed and fairness travel on the same ticket.”
Why it Matters Now
Leasing volumes have rebounded, eVTOL projects are signing long-dated supply deals, and insurers face record hull claims. Each trend raises the probability of aviation disputes that require fast, neutral, and internationally portable outcomes. The new guide equips in-house teams, lenders, and private-practice advisers with the structures that keep fleets in the air and capital working.
For a detailed discussion, download the guide and contact our aviation team for a tailored briefing on how these changes might impact your operations.