In what the firm calls “a coup,” Clyde & Co has appointed aviation law expert, Professor Ron Bartsch of University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, to assist the firm's global drones strategy group in providing expert policy, standards and regulatory advice as it relates to drones and other autonomous vehicles.

Significant in-roads 

Maurice Thompson, partner and chairman of Clyde & Co's Global Drones Strategy Group, said "We've already made significant in-roads into becoming the 'go-to' firm for drones related matters globally and the addition of Professor Bartsch is a real coup for the firm.” Mr Thompson explained, “Professor Bartsch comes to Clyde & Co with a wealth of experience in drone policy, standards and regulation and will complement the skillset of our partners already advising in respect of the explosion of drones issues across all our sectors.” Professor Bartsch is a renowned aviation law academic and has had a long career working with airlines, insurers, regulators and government bodies on aviation and drones policy. Last week, Professor Bartsch was instrumental in securing a contract to develop a world-first regulatory framework for the operation of drones throughout 10 South Pacific Island nations. 

Flying experience

Admitted to practice as a Barrister to the High Court of Australia in 1993, and as a lecturer in Aviation Law for over 25 years, Professor Bartsch has some 7,000 hours flying experience on aircraft types ranging from Cessna's though to the Boeing 717-200. He was previously in charge of safety for Qantas Airways as group general manager safety, compliance & operational risk and was the manager of Air Transport Operations with CASA in Sydney. Professor Bartsch is also author of "Aviation Law in Australia" (4th edition) and contributing author for the aviation title of "Halsbury's Laws of Australia". His latest publication "International Aviation Law: A Practical Guide" is to be published by Ashgate Publishing (UK).