Aerospace and defence

Our award-winning corporate team is known for its extensive experience advising on domestic and cross-border acquisitions, disposals, private equity investments, venture capital, corporate governance advice and solvent reorganisations, including navigating notification requirements under the National Security and Investment Act 2021.

With one of the largest teams in the UK and Ireland, with a global reach supported by a strong network of leading law firms in other jurisdictions, we have the right team for your corporate needs.

Our sanctions and export control team is recognised as a leading team, navigating complex and fast-moving regulations, advising on compliance procedures, transaction screening, licensing regimes, and enforcement matters.

Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, supply agreements, manufacturing arrangements, logistics contracts, and managing complex multi-party arrangements.

Advising on all aspects of complex procurement frameworks - Ministry of Defence procurement rules, Procurement Act 2023 defence provisions, DFARS and FAR compliance, including understanding derogations available for defence and security contracts, and compliance with Single Source Contract Regulations 2014 for un-competed qualifying defence contracts - including drafting specifications, evaluation criteria, tender documentation, procurement strategy, and defending procurement challenges.

Members of our team have experience advising the Ministry of Defence, including on its £700 million combined aerial target systems (CATS) project and on supply chain contracts forming part of the Future Carrier (CVF) programme, as well as advising the Cabinet Office on the outsourcing of the UK’s resilience training function.

Developing compliance procedures for EHS matters, managing regulatory relationships (from HSE to Environmental Agency), and advising on criminal compliance, investigations and regulatory matters.

Our intellectual property (IP) team advise on the whole range of IP rights across both contentious and non-contentious matters, protecting and managing IP rights, complex licensing arrangements, R&D collaborations, and trade secrets for technology-driven businesses, protecting IP for sensitive military applications, managing dual-use technology rights, navigating technology transfer restrictions, and balancing commercial exploitation with national security considerations and export control implication.

Our dispute resolution team specialises in managing commercial contract and trading disputes for major domestic and international corporations. We provide results-driven support with a proven track record of resolving disputes robustly and efficiently.

Specialising in litigation, arbitration, mediation and expert determination both domestically and internationally, our team are capable to assist with any defence and aerospace disputes.

Our team of specialists from our UK and Dublin offices work together with our international legal network to support clients on cross-border transactions, international expansion, and navigating global trade regulations.

Whether dealing with a developer, investor, landlord or tenant, our top tier real estate practice can help clients with negotiating the leasing, acquisition, expansion or sale of their business premises.

Advising on complex sourcing transactions, IP protection, data and cyber issues, adoption of new technologies including AI, and the implementation of new technologies for single and dual use purposes in all sectors, including defence, aerospace and space.