Expertise
David specialises in Asian-Pacific aviation liability and insurance matters for insurers and airlines. His practice also includes advising airlines on regulatory issues and commercial disputes and transactions. He has handled many of the major Asian air disasters of the past decade including the Korean Air MD-11 accident in Shanghai; the Singapore Airlines SQ006 in Taipei; the Air China accident in Busan, Korea; and the Garuda Solo, China Northern Airlines Dalian and China Eastern Yunnan Baoutou accidents and most recently, the Airblue accident in Pakistan in 2010. Previously whilst practising in London, he was involved in a number of high profile aviation cases. David heads Gates and Partners’ regional office in Singapore.
Career
- Partner, Gates and Partners, Singapore, 2007 -
- Partner, Barlow, Lye & Gilbert, Singapore, 2004-2007.
- Partner, Beaumont and Son, Singapore, 1998-2004; London 1992-1996; Assistant Solicitor 1989-1992.
- Consultant, Aviation Law, Minter Ellison, Australia, 1996-1998.
Special Distinctions
- Named in Who Who’s Legal 2010 as a leading aviation lawyer.
- David is named as a leader in his field in The Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, Guide to the World’s Leading Aviation Lawyers, The Asia Pacific 500, and other industry guides consistently and recently as Leading Aviation Lawyer in Asia.
Education
- Solicitor, admitted in England and Wales, 1988.
- Registered foreign lawyer in Singapore.
- B.A. (Hons), Law and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Kent, 1983.
- Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New South Wales, Tasmania, and the High Court of Australia, 1997.
Publications
Author of articles published in Air and Space Law, Aviation Insurance and Law,and The Aviation Quarterly.
Public Speaking
David has conducted numerous seminars and presentations for airlines and insurers. He has spoken at many airline and insurance industry conferences.
Languages
French and conversational German.
Interests
David is a private pilot and diver. He is interested in Asian history and culture.