Airfinance Journal has launched its legal survey and law firms are asked to submit their 2019 transactions by 31 May 2020.

Airfinance Journal has listened to its audience and is modifying the evaluation criteria to reflect the transaction complexity as well as the law firm’s roles in a transaction rather than simply count the number of deals.

As a result law firms are asked to self-assess the complexity of each transaction and their role in the transaction according to the following new set of criteria for which the specified points will be awarded:

Complexity
- Ground breaking pioneer transaction 10 points
- Complex transaction, some new parties or jurisdictions 7 points
- Average complexity, repeat transaction with same players and jurisdictions 5 points
- Less complex transaction 3 points
- Low complexity 1 points 

Role
- Drafting counsel for major transaction documents 10 points
- Primary counsel to major transaction parties 7 points
- Secondary counsel to transaction parties 3 points

Please note that transactions not self-evaluated according to these criteria will not be eligible for consideration in the awards.

The report on the leading law firms in commercial aviation finance will be based on transactions signed last year (1 January-31 December 2019) by region and product types.

The product types that will be considered as valid nominations include:
- Commercial loans (this includes insurance-supported financings such as AFIC/ANPI/Balthazar)
- Capital markets
- Export credit agencies
- Operating leases
- Structured leases
- Sale and purchase of aircraft (a transfer of legal and/or beneficial ownership of an aircraft with no new financing involved)

Please note that novations of leases will not be counted as submissions unless there is a financing or sale and purchase transaction involved.

Airfinance Journal will provide a report on the results in the Guide to Aviation Lawyers 2020 section of the next issue of its magazine (July-August 2020 issue).

Call for submissions
Law firms are invited to download a submission form here to record the 2019 transactions, which they advised on.

The more deals a law firm submits, the higher its chance will be of featuring prominently either by region or by product type.

We understand that law firms are keen to observe confidentiality, but many of the deals are already public and may exist in Airfinance Journal's Deal Tracker.

By submitting transactions for these awards, you agree that Airfinance Journal may include them in the Deal Tracker database.

To take a free trial of the tracker in order to see if your deals are already featured, please follow this link.

Legal transaction of the year
Airfinance Journal has also introduced an award this year – Legal transaction of the year, to recognise the strongest deal in the commercial aviation finance market.

The editorial team will select the winning deal based on complexity, timing, innovation, overcoming obstacles and diversity of solutions.

Law firms are invited to submit one nomination for consideration.

Rising Stars
Law firms are invited to submit nominations for Airfinance Journal's Rising Stars - a selection of the most promising, and performing, legal associates working within aviation.

Some of the most promising legal associates in aviation finance are will be selected to feature in Airfinance Journal’s Guide to Aviation Lawyers 2020.

Each law firm is encouraged to submit just one candidate for consideration. Please note that only associates and senior associates will be considered. We cannot accept nominations for counsels, partners or other more senior positions.

In order to participate, you need to send us a summary of the nominee's achievements along with a photo, by 31 May 2020.

Submissions should focus on the nominee's deal portfolio and the financing structures the candidate has experience with. We also welcome a recommending quote from a partner.

Please send completed submission forms and rising stars nominations to Olivier Bonnassies at olivier.bonnassies@euromoneyplc.com

For any queries regarding logins, or for a free trial for the Deal Tracker, please contact George Williams on George.Williams@airfinancejournal.com