Stuart is a partner in the Asset Finance Group at Matheson.  He has widespread experience in advising international financial institutions, aircraft owners, aircraft lessors and airlines on all aspects of the financing and leasing of aircraft, aircraft engines and parts.  Stuart has gained considerable experience in advising on the structuring of aircraft purchase, sale, financing and leasing transactions and acts for a number of aircraft lessors, financiers and airlines in leveraged, syndicated and export credit agency backed financing facilities.  Stuart also regularly advises MRO providers on their contracts with aircraft engine lessors and airlines.

Stuart has significant experience in advising on all aspects of the Cape Town Convention, from advising on the applicability of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol to practical aspects of setting up entities as Transacting User Entities and carrying out registrations with the International Registry.

Stuart regularly presents to aircraft and aircraft engine lessors on all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol and to company directors on their duties and responsibilities under Irish law.

Stuart is also a lecturer, tutor and examiner on the Law Society of Ireland’s Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance.

• Advised on a US$ 349.1 million EETC (enhanced equipment trust certificate) transaction to finance 10 aircraft for an airline, which represented the first public EETC for that airline.
• Advised on a US$ 1.21 billion asset backed securitisation in connection with the acquisition of a portfolio of 48 aircraft with leases attached.
• Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on its US$ 4 billion aircraft portfolio sale.
• Advised one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines on establishing long-haul operations by setting up a new Irish airline.
• Acted as Irish counsel for an aircraft lessor on its US$ 120 million revolving pre-delivery payment facility to finance 20 Airbus A320-200 aircraft over a period of two years.
• Advised an aircraft lessor on the export credit agency supported financing of a portfolio of Bombardier CRJ-1000 aircraft.
• Advised on the export credit agency supported financing of Embraer ERJ 190-200 aircraft.
• Advised on the Export–Import Bank of China supported financing of a portfolio of Airbus and Boeing aircraft by an Irish aircraft lessor.
• Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on the acquisition of a large portfolio of Airbus and Boeing aircraft with leases attached.
• Advised an Irish aircraft lessor on the consolidation of its various leasing platforms containing over 60 aircraft.
• Regularly advises in relation to engine and equipment leasing.
• Regularly acts as Cape Town counsel.

Stuary Kennedy is named a Rising Star.
IFLR1000 2018

“Stuart is extremely professional and a pleasure to deal with. Stuart is calm under pressure and very accommodating. He is conscientious and very knowledgeable.”
IFLR1000 2018

Stuart Kennedy is named a next generation lawyer.
European Legal 500 2016

Stuart has been recognised as a “rising star” by Airfinance Journal in its 2013 Guide to Aviation Lawyers.