Two more aviation specialists take off from 5 Bell Yard

Leading aviation set 5 Bell Yard has lost two more aviation specialists, bringing the number of departures this year to five.

Andrew Lydiard joined rival set Brick Court Chambers last week while aviation specialist Philip Reed is joining Norton Rose's commercial litigation team this week.

In February Michael Crane QC and Akhil Shah went to Fountain Court and earlier this month head of chambers Robert Webb QC announced he was leaving to become head of British Airways' legal and regulatory activities. Andrew Hillier is acting head of chambers.

The moves leave 5 Bell Yard with 24 tenants but only six aviation specialists, all juniors.

Lydiard said he left because Brick Court Chambers offered more scope for him to develop his specialist aviation, insurance and reinsurance practice. He added that Crane's departure had played a part in his decision.

Kevin Moore, senior clerk at 5 Bell Yard, said: "From our point of view these departures are coincidental and there is no link between them.

"The six aviation barristers we have are committed to staying together as a group at 5 Bell Yard." He said the set was looking to recruit new tenants but the details were confidential.