Travel

The pressures of competition, political and social change, and significant regulation require travel, aviation and leisure organisations to get things right. And to get them right first time.  

Whether it’s package travel regulations, online booking terms, compliance with consumer law, people issues, protecting your brand or managing mergers and acquisitions, our travel industry experts can help.

Our expertise in the travel and aviation sector

Our expertise in the travel and aviation sectors stems from our work with tour operators, travel agents, destination management companies and suppliers, booking system providers and industry bodies / associations, advising on a broad range of matters.  

Members of the team have also worked with airlines and aviation companies on sector specific commercial arrangements including ATOL related flight sales, charters, and agency arrangements.

We are an ABTA Travel Industry Partner, and acknowledged travel sector experts within the team have spoken at many ABTA-sponsored events and contributed to industry publications such as Travel Law Today and Travel Weekly.

 

Our services cover all aspects of law relating to businesses involved in travel, leisure and aviation.  Sales of consumer travel arrangements require compliance with the Consumer Rights Act, Package Travel Regulations and ATOL Regulations.  We also provide  guidance on advertising and compliance with the CAP Code and marketing laws.  We understand issues relevant to trade associations and their members,  ensuring that our advice in respect of trading arrangements are in line with the law and industry standards.

Our services for travel and aviation clients

The Commercial team advises on a broad range of commercial arrangement including package travel regulations, ATOL regulations, booking conditions, agency agreements, international trade agreements, supplier contracts and indemnities.  

Our intellectual property (IP) and technology specialists advise on brand protection, licensing and reputation, and on maximising your investment and minimising risk in respect of business-critical IT systems, including complex back office booking systems and data feeds for online booking platforms.

We have significant expertise in information law covering data privacy, GDPR and cyber security. We support your data risk management strategies and compliance including working with you on data protection audits and UK, EU and international transfers to third parties.

Our Corporate team advises on incorporation, structure and governance, company secretarial matters, buying and selling travel businesses, mergers and acquisitions, corporate joint venture, succession planning, investment and finance, banking and re-financing.

Our Employment team has extensive experience of providing both operational and specialist advice in the sector, working with tour operators, airlines, membership organisations and travel technology suppliers.  It advises on re-organisation and redundancy programmes, contract and policy frameworks including those required for overseas roles, trade union matters, restrictive covenants, employment status issues, business immigration, and provides full representation in Tribunals. 

If disagreements threaten to de-rail a project, our Dispute Resolution team is skilled at resolving issues whilst preserving commercial relationships, often through mediation or arbitration.  We have the expertise to support clients to resolve whatever disputes they face, including debt recovery and insolvency / business failure issues.

Our capability and capacity within commercial real estate takes in development and planning, construction, regeneration, leasehold matters, licences and dilapidations. We are able to assist with the legal side of office moves, expansions and all your property needs.

International connections

We are affiliated with a network of international lawyers who can assist with advising on matters overseas.  If it becomes necessary to obtain local advice on a particular issue, we can arrange the advice and support you need along the way.