Aviation Law Career

[girlsblouse]

This is probably not the correct forum for this, but l couldn't seem to make it fit elsewhere.

I am a current long-haul airline pilot, flight instructor and examiner, thinking of extending my academic studies to a Law Degree.My interest of course is aviation law.

Can anyone enlighten me whether there is any real scope in the UK to pursue such a specialised career,and whether it is a viable alternative (or at least supplement) to a flying career?

Thank you for any direction!

[ecj]

Keep the day job going, and start an Open University course in law. Next start date Jan/Feb 2004.

See how it goes, then decide ?

[Crosswind Limits]

If you wanted to become a solicitor then straight after the law degree, you would also need the LPC (1 year) and then 2 years of articles to complete your training. Not exactly sure of the requirements for barristers but probably go to Bar school post degree and then become a barrister's pupil!

[icemaiden]

Hi Girlsbouse

Have a feeling this is going to end up in the questions forum

First you have to know what you want from it...

If you want to qualify as a lawyer then all thoughts of air law will have to vanish for a while. The academic stage (i.e. the law degree) has seven compulsory subjects and then you can choose a number of options to complement your studies. If you are interested in law in general as a foundation for air law look for courses on Public International law which isn’t a requirement, but will save you some time later on. Some law schools offer courses in Maritime law which are also quite sexy. If you already have a degree then it may be worth considering the certificate in law rather than a law degree. The certificate is a one year full time or several year part time course which just hits the seven fundamentals. In the same vein there is also senior status entry at some law schools which remove the first year and cover less of the options to get you through it in two years (the bonus is that you get a degree, rather than a certificate). There are a number of institutions offering distance learning degrees in law, but be warned that these may not be suitable for some firms or chambers.

If you want to practise then you need to obtain your law degree, and then either follow the legal practise course (solicitors) or bar vocational course (barristers) both courses last one year, and in order to practise both require a year or two of practical experience and close monitoring afterwards (for solicitors two years articling, for barristers one year of pupillage). This is the traditional means to become a lawyer in the UK. It takes a while and costs a fortune. It is also some of the most interesting academic study you will find, it’s competitive and if your motivation is there I’m sure you would enjoy it.

From personal experience if air law is your obsession it takes quite a lot of determination to get through the academic and vocational stages. Air law is a niche and unfortunately no undergraduate courses teach it and it doesn’t figure on the syllabus for the vocational courses either. If you are more motivated by air law than by law itself then consider taking a more business orientated aviation course which includes air law.

If you are really possessed then you can consider a Masters specialising in Air law (there are three internationally) they are not required for practising. They are however very interesting. A few also offer a graduate certificate in air law which may be suitable for you if you don’t want to attach yourself to 12 - 15 months of air law and thesis writing.

Finally there is a lot of scope to pursue a career in law, but it takes commitment and time. The traditional route is only an example of what you can do with a law qualification, other avenues such as insurance or legal advisory positions may not require the vocational training. As for supplementing a flying career - yes, but both are highly demanding.

Feel free to email if you want to know anymore, or if you can shed any light on the BA/Dan Air pilot contracts which are keeping me awake at night… ;)

[Lu Zuckerman]

Contact:

Timothy R. Scorer
Dibb-Lupton-Alsop
6 Dowgate Hill
London, England EC4R 2SS
0171 796 6716

Or:

Kevin Higgins
Chambers-Nicholas-Jarman
4 Kings Bench Walk
London, Temple
England
EC4Y 7DL

Messrs. Scorer and Higgins are members of Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association an American organization of flying lawyers and lawyers who have an interest in aviation. Most of the members are actively engaged in aviation law. Many of the members are active and retired airline pilots.

You can join the Organization for $69.00 US

They can be reached at:
Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association
PO Box 685
Poolesville, Maryland
20837
301-972-7700
E-mail [email protected]
Website: www.lpba.org

Their monthly journal is packed full of aviation case law and court findings. I'm not a lawyer but I have been a member for over seven years. A suggestion was made to study Maritime law. Do it because much of aviation law is based on maritime law.

Or:

Go to Rotorheads forum and pose a question to Flying Lawyer.

:ok: Good luck