Chris is an asset finance partner who specialises in domestic and cross-border asset finance and leasing transactions. He has particular expertise in aircraft and engine leasing and trading, structured finance, and sales finance. He also advises on the procurement of aviation assets and on after-market support programs offered by manufacturers.
Chris’ clients include leasing companies, banks, private equity investors, airlines, and other aviation businesses seeking advice on complex aviation finance matters.
Chris is also experienced working in-house, having previously held roles with Rolls-Royce and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.
Expertise
- Aircraft leasing
- Engine leasing
- Operating leases
- Finance leases
- Structured leasing
- Japanese operating leases
- Sub-leasing
- Lease restructurings
- Corporate acquisitions
- Sale-and-leasebacks
- Portfolio sales
- Secured debt
- Private placements
- Loan due diligence
- Lease disputes
- Insurance claims
- Manufacturer support
Experience
Leasing
- Acted for an Irish aircraft leasing company in relation to the change in the sublessee of a Boeing B737 aircraft from a Swedish airline to a UK airline.
- Acted for a US-based leasing company in relation to the finance lease of two Airbus A319s to an Italian airline.
- Acted for a UK-based engine leasing company in relation to a Japanese operating lease (with call option) in respect of a Pratt & Whitney PW1133G aircraft engine.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in relation to the operating lease of a Boeing B737 to an Egyptian airline.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in relation to the restructuring of the leasing arrangements for a Boeing B737 following payment defaults precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trading
- Acted for a US-based leasing company in relation to the acquisition of two Airbus A320s and six Boeing B737s from an Irish leasing company.
- Acted for a US-based leasing company in relation to the acquisition, from an Irish leasing company, of eight CFM56 engines on lease to a South Asian airline.
- Acted for a UK-based engine manufacturer in connection with the updating of its precedent engine sale and exchange agreements and providing training to their commercial team on the use of those documents.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in connection with the acquisition, from a Japanese leasing company, of two Boeing B737 aircraft on lease to a Spanish airline, as well as the financing of that acquisition.
- Acted for a UK-based engine leasing company in relation to the sale and leaseback of a Pratt & Whitney PW1133G aircraft engine with a South American airline.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in relation to the purchase of an Airbus A330 through the corporate acquisition of the aircraft-owning entity.
Financings
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in connection with the financing of the ownership, and passenger-to-freighter conversion, of two Boeing B737 aircraft.
- Acted for a UK-based engine leasing company in relation to the financing of its ownership of a portfolio of aircraft engines through a US private placement.
- Acted for a UK-based engine leasing company in relation to the refinancing of a secured debt facility used to finance its ownership of a portfolio of aircraft engines.
- Acted for a facility agent and security trustee in relation to the review of loan documentation for the secured financing, by UKEF, of an aircraft flight simulator for an Azerbaijan airline.
- Acted for a Lithuanian company in relation to the secured financing, by UKEF, of the acquisition of two full flight simulators and eight flight training devices.
- Acted for a US-based private equity firm in relation to the due diligence of a portfolio of performing and non-performing aircraft loans, with a view to the possible acquisition of those loans by the client.
Miscellaneous Aviation-related Advice
Aviation
- Acted for various US West Coast aircraft leasing companies in relation to their claims against insurance companies for the loss of aircraft leased to Russian airlines following the invasion of Ukraine.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in connection with the acquisition, from a Japanese leasing company, of two Boeing B737 aircraft on lease to a Spanish airline, as well as the financing of that acquisition.
- Acted for a UK-based engine leasing company in relation to a Japanese operating lease (with call option) in respect of a Pratt & Whitney PW1133G aircraft engine.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in relation to the restructuring of the leasing arrangements for a Boeing B737 following payment defaults precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Acted for an Irish leasing company in connection with the financing of the ownership, and passenger-to-freighter conversion, of two Boeing B737 aircraft.
- Acted for a UK-based engine manufacturer in connection with the updating of its precedent engine sale and exchange agreements and providing training to their commercial team on the use of those documents.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers UK for Asset Finance: Aviation Finance 2017–2025
“He has a deep knowledge of aviation financing law, with an ability to handle complex transactions.” Chambers UK 2025
“Chris is really knowledgeable and is so approachable and easy to deal with. A pleasure to work with on all transactions.” Chambers UK 2025
Member of The International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT)
Career
Chris qualified as a solicitor in 1998. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2025, he worked at the following firms:
- Reed Smith
- Rolls-Royce (in-house)
- Allen & Overy