HMN & Partners has a market leading aviation practice thanks to its experience and deep understanding of the business of its clients. The firm provides its clients with well established “know how” in the followings areas:
Aircraft accident work: involvement in "expertise proceedings" and in criminal investigations, preparation for and representation at civil and criminal trials, settlement negotiations.
Recent matter highlights include:
- Mont Sainte Odile accident in France in January 1992, (87 fatalities)
- Concorde accident in France in July 2000 (113 fatalities)
- Flash Airlines crash at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in January 2004 (148 fatalities)
- American Airlines flight 587 at Queens, New York in November 2001 (265 fatalities)
Expertise in Risk Management and Safety issues in the aeronautical industry. In particular, HMN & Partners provides assistance to manufacturers to develop and implement their Product Integrity Programs.
Advice in commercial matters, including:
- Drafting of contracts,
- Legal assistance in pre-contractual negotiations and throughout the enforcement of contracts,
- Assistance with applications to and negotiations with Airport and Airworthiness Authorities in France and abroad,
- Commercial litigation,
Advice to airline companies and travel agencies on tourism regulations (domestic, EU and international)
Seminars and training on Aviation Safety and advice on administrative, civil and criminal proceedings following an aircraft accident or incident
Negotiation, drafting and review of satellite manufacturing and launch contracts
Handling arbitration and litigation arising from failure of the launch vehicle or in-orbit failure of satellites
Recent matters handled include:
- Failure of flight 157 of Ariane V in December 2002
- Failure of Galaxy XI and XM ROLL satellites
- Implementation of a Product Integrity Program for a satellite manufacturer
