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Ferrier & Associates is a leading small-firm commercial practice.

Specialising in aviation matters of all kinds, the firm has conducted business for clients in all of the following kinds of areas, which not only has included specialized aviation knowledge but also considerable and extensive expertise in the following:

•     Acquisition and sale of property,

•     Aircraft purchase and sale, for aircraft of all sizes up to and including RPT aircraft

•     Mortgage, lease, leaseback, transfers of mortgages including aircraft finance arrangements of all kinds

•     Sub-interests in aircraft including co-ownership, share ownership, group and club ownership

  •     including mortgaging, leasing and finance of all kinds,

  •     both within Australia and overseas

•     Tax advice, in conjunction with specialist accountants and particularly relating to

  •     the acquisition, sale, lease, operation and finance of aircraft

  •     Real estate, Trust Estate and Wills planning

Specialist in Aviation Law

The firm delivers specialist knowledge of aviation law, practice and procedure in the highly technical disciplines of aviation.  This , enables matters to be dealt with quickly and to the point.  Advice is often commercial and directed to immediate resolution of the issues in the light of the conflicting laws, claims, risks and expenses that the parties are facing.  

Familiarity with almost all processes of aviation because of personal association with it enables matters to be settled quickly.  Personal representation, political representation and court appearances can be prepared for and provided in all States and in the Commonwealth's own processes and Courts

Court Appearance and Case Management

The firm conducts extensive court work for clients, including appearances for pilots, aircraft owners and operators and other crew concerning licence matters and matters to do with compliance with the laws of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Civil Aviation Act. 

We are entitled to practice as lawyers in most States of Australia and we have appeared in trials, jury trials and other cases to do with aviation.   This has enabled the Firm to provide a wide cross-section of extensive experience not only in the aviation field but also extensive experience in commercial, finance, bureaucratic, sale and purchase transactions of all kinds.

Mr. Ferrier has been in practice in Sydney as a lawyer for more than thirty years.   He engages personally in the transactions which the Firm is concerned with and consults with the Firm’s consultants when additional involvement is required because of the manpower requirements of the issue being dealt with.

Bureaucratic Case Management

The firm has engaged in extensive activities to do with interface of clients with bureaucratic decision making which has included personal and mediation attendances, appearances before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, appearances before the Courts of NSW and other States. 

Higher Court Dealings

Mr. Ferrier has managed and from time to time has appeared in many cases in all the Courts that function in NSW and many of the Courts of other States of Australia.   Cases have been taken to hearings in the High Court of Australia, the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and Court of Criminal Appeal in NSW as well as the District Courts and Local Courts.   The Firm is thus experienced in all steps necessary to ensure litigation is managed expeditiously and promptly.

Mediation and Cost Management

Mr. Ferrier is a certificated Mediator and mediation of disputes is a frequent and recurring style of case management.   Aviation is notoriously highly cost-conscious which has led to development of high levels of skill and innovation in bringing matters to a satisfactory and speedy conclusion.  

The Firm has conducted litigation for group Plaintiffs, Corporations, airlines, and individuals.   Complex and intricate legal matters have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion on many occasions by mediation and negotiation.  The Firm’s consultants assist in the management and advice associated with complex and problems involving diverse legal skills, whilst still enabling personal Principal attendance to the work in hand.

Large and Urgent Case Management

The Firm is highly experienced in the management of cases that require increasing levels of attendance, including rapidly escalating demands for work in large, urgent cases.   This has resulted in the ability to handle many diverse and complex legal matters where the nature of the work requires both skill and personal presence.

About Spencer Ferrier and the Aviation Connection

Mr. Ferrier’s personal acquaintance with the Aviation Industry has been for more than thirty years.  He is a private pilot with a multi engine instrument rating.  He has owned traded more than thirty aircraft but principally operates single-engine piston aircraft.  He holds Australian and US licences and is familiar with the aviation laws of both countries. 

Mr. Ferrier lectures occasionally on Aviation Law matters in Australia and in the USA, where he has been guest lecturer on several occasions, including to lecture on International Aviation Law at the well-known Embry-Riddle University at Daytona, Florida.

Mr. Ferrier is the Oceania Vice Chairman of the Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association of the USA and has been a member for 20 years;  he is a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots of the Guildhall, London.   He was President of the Royal Aero Club of NSW and is a member of the Aviation Law Association of Australia