Court Rules Ukraine, Not England, Right Venue for Aircraft Disputes

England and Wales’ High Court of Justice has determined that legal proceedings between aircraft leasing companies and insurers over aircraft stranded in Ukraine should take place in Ukraine instead of England.

In AerCap Ireland Capital Designated Activity Company v. PJSC Insurance Company Universalna [2024] EWHC 1365 (Comm), Judge Andrew Henshaw decided that exclusive jurisdiction clauses are binding and enforceable on AerCap and other aircraft leasing companies and “that there are not strong reasons to allow” their claims to proceed in England. The decision issued 6 June 2024 impacts six separate lawsuits.