Partner

For over 20 years Richard has advised international and domestic airlines and aviation service providers on regulatory, commercial and operational matters.

Richard has unique Australian and international experience in dealing with airport and airline regulation, commercial and technical operations and management.

Both locally and internationally, his work has involved him working closely with the commercial and operational management of airlines and airports, as well as local and international government, regulatory and industry bodies. He has attained an unparalleled practical knowledge of international and domestic aviation regulatory and legal issues, uniquely combined with an understanding of airport and airline management and operations.

Richard’s industry experience includes over 20 years as counsel to BARA, the peak international airline industry body in Australia.

Richard has been involved with many high profile issues in the industry, including authoring the IATA generic airport use contract, appearing at regulatory enquiries into the pricing of Australian airports, advising Qantas on airport regulation post-privatisation, participating in the successful Southern Cross consortium on the purchase of Sydney Airport, airline mergers, authorisations by the ACCC of various arrangements including the current Star Alliance arrangements in Australia, and the start-up of an Australian domestic airline.

During 2007 – 2010 Richard was the Head of Legal and Head of Procurement for a domestic and international airline, based in Singapore.

While Richard’s specialist area of practice has been aviation, he has also practiced extensively in other industries, including tourism, environment and planning, telecoms, energy, finance, IT and intellectual property.

Richard is also experienced in managing large legal teams and conducting due diligence, major cases or administrations, as well as acting for and against State owned entities.

Contact
T. + 61 2 9334 8707
M. +61 (0)414 908 184
F. 1300 369 656
E. richard.davis@hwlebsworth.com.au

Qualifications
Diploma of Law (University of Sydney)
Diploma of International Air Law (IATA Geneva)
Master of Laws (UTS)Professional Memberships
Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.
IATA Airport Cost Evaluation Working Group User Charges Panel (Past member).
Society for Computers and the Law (Past President & Past Secretary).
Councillor of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce (1999-2006).

Key Expertise
Airport and airline regulation, management and operations
Competition law
Tourism