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Who we are > Practice areas

Soulez-Larivière & Associés has become specialised in aviation law and the specificities of the aeronautical sector.

This area of work covers disputes connected to the certification, construction and operation of aircraft. It can also involve commercial disputes, for example between buyers and suppliers or between competitors, contracts and product liability. Litigation can range from problems involving freight (lost or damaged cargo) to major accidents, which are given a lot more media coverage, and for which clients can rely on the firm’s experience and methodology in crisis and disaster management.

The French Civil Aviation Authority (Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile, DGAC) and the Safran group are long-standing clients. The firm is also instructed by numerous other French and foreign manufacturers in the sector of aeronautics, as well as some airlines, aircraft lessors, insurers, airport operators, air-traffic controllers etc.

The expertise displayed in the litigation arising out of the Mont Sainte-Odile crash, in which the firm defended two civil servants working for the Civil Aviation Authority, clearly had an impact (the case was tried in the spring of 2006 and, on appeal in autumn 2007, all the defendants were acquitted on all counts). The firm is also handling the Concorde crash, for which the judicial investigation stage is now finished.

Articles relating to this practice area (only available in French):
- « Comprendre ou juger ? »
- Des dangers de la pénalisation des accidents
- Vers une responsabilité illimitée de l’ingénieur ?
- Accidents aériens : une révolution juridique