Charles Cockrell

About Charles

Charles has been based in the UAE for over 13 years and has established himself as one of the region’s leading aviation lawyers.

Charles’ practice covers a broad range of aviation-related work, including contentious and non-contentious matters. Charles has handled a number of high-profile major aviation losses in the Middle East and Africa and has considerable experience advising airlines and aircraft operators on liability, regulatory and commercial issues. He also has extensive experience in the airports sector, having acted for most of the MENA region’s major airport operators.

He is a regular speaker at industry events and sits on the Board of the Middle East branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Market recognition

Charles is ranked as a ‘Spotlight’ lawyer in UAE Aviation by Chambers Global 2025, which states: “Charles is excellent. He has a fantastic knowledge of aviation law and the aviation industry in general.”

Charles is listed as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Aviation Contentious and Aviation Regulatory in the Lexology Index 2025.

Charles is also recognised in the Legal 500 as a key lawyer for insurance and dispute resolution in the UAE and credited for his “strong aviation practice.”

Awards

In November 2022, Charles won the Lexology Client Choice Award for Aviation Law in the United Arab Emirates.