Edward specialises in handling liability claims across the whole spectrum of the aviation sector but with particular focus on airlines, corporate jets, light aircraft and helicopters. He has been regularly involved in disaster response management and major accident litigation both at home and abroad, with notable examples including the Shoreham air crash in August 2015, the Vauxhall helicopter accident in January 2013 and the crash of a Swiftair MD83 aircraft over Mali in July 2014 with the loss of 116 lives. He was more recently instructed in connection with a mid-air collision involving a light aircraft and a helicopter near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire and also has considerable experience of insurance coverage disputes, including instructions arising out of the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the loss of AirAsia flight QZ8501 in December 2014 and also the destruction of Metrojet flight 9268 over the Sinai Peninsula in October 2015.

Edward began his career as a general insurance lawyer but he developed a specialism in aviation when he was seconded to British Airports Authority to assist on the Terminal 5 Public Enquiry in the late 1990s. Edward has contributed articles to the aviation and insurance press and speaks on aviation-related topics at conferences. He is a member of the Guild of Air Pilots and qualified for his private pilot's licence in both the USA and Europe in 2001.

Zohar has particular expertise in aviation finance and leasing as well as commercial contracting. He has advised extensively on all aspects of aircraft and engine operating leasing and related fleet management issues, such as lease novations, end-of-lease returns and aircraft and engines purchases and disposals. His aviation finance experience extends to a wide variety of transactions, including sale and leaseback (including portfolio), finance leasing, hire purchase and conditional sale agreements, structured tax-based financings, cross-border transactions, receivables financing and securitisation.

Zohar is also very experienced in advising on commercial agreements pertaining to fuel supply, ground handling, maintenance contracts, airport slot trading, catering, aircraft charter, wet leases and carrier’s conditions of carriage and booking.

Prior to joining the HFW team, Zohar was in a general counsel role at a leading global tourism company and operator of one of Europe’s largest fleets of aircraft.