Giving us a brief overlook of its thought leadership in the aviation industry, Stelios Stylianou, Senior Partner of Stylianou & Stylianou, a Greek law firm, here talks to Lawyer Monthly about the principal engagements the firm has been involved over the past 40 years. He also outlines the challenges of this predominantly international business and legal sector, as well as detailing the legislative milestones this industry has seen in recent years.
What are the most common aviation legal matters you deal with?
My firm has been acting for major airlines and aviation insurers in all fields of aviation law and particularly air accidents, passenger and cargo claims, litigation of aviation disputes, settlement negotiations, regulatory matters and commercial and finance transactions.
Among other matters, the firm has been involved in litigation and settlement negotiations in respect of claims arising from: the Swissair accident at Athens airport (1979); the EgyptAir aircraft hijacking on a flight from Athens (1985); the Olympic Airways accident at Samos Island (1989); the Greek Dassault Falcon 900 accident near Bucharest (1999); the EKAB/Helitalia helicopter accidents (2001 and 2002); the fatal air accident of Helios B737-300 near Athens (14th August 2005); the fatal accident of a Greek Army Chinook helicopter (11th September 2004); the crash of an Olympic Aviation Schweizer helicopter near Athens (22nd April 2008); the crash of a Bell 206B helicopter in the area of Crete Island (5th August 2010), the crash of an Apache military helicopter near Athens (30th July 2010) and the Tatarstan Airlines accident of B737-53A in Kazan, Russia on 17th November 2013.
What challenges do these present and how complex can these issues become?
Dealing with the above matters is a great challenge. The issues that may be faced often prove to be complicated and need careful consideration and diplomatic handling.
Are there commercial factors/market conditions that often fuel competition disputes in the aviation industry?
Competition in the air carriage field is very high indeed, and it becomes more intensive as a result of the development of low cost airlines.
Given the international nature of the aviation industry what are the difficulties of working on cases across multiple jurisdictions? How do you overcome these?
Given the international nature of the aviation industry, cooperation with expert professionals internationally is absolutely necessary for the purpose of discussing and sorting out the various issues that often arise and are subject to different jurisdictions. This close cooperation with distinguished colleagues practising in the corresponding jurisdictions is very challenging indeed.
You have lawyered in this segment since 1971; what would you say have been the legal milestones in the aviation industry over the years?
I would say that the ‘open skies’ agreement between European Union and the United States some years ago has been the most remarkable milestone in the aviation industry.
You previously worked as assistant judge at the Court of Piraeus for 20 months; how did this contribute towards your thought leadership in this legal segment?
My experience as assistant Judge was of great help to me as I was given the opportunity to see, from the inside, how Courts work, and more importantly how Judges approach each case they are charged to consider and decide on.
