header-logo header-logo

Your captain is a robot: self-flying aircraft

28 February 2024
Issue: 8061 / Categories: Legal News , Aviation
printer mail-detail
A self-flying aircraft is the subject of the latest Law Commission consultation

Its 247-page paper, ‘Aviation autonomy’, published this week, considers how regulators should adapt to developments where ‘automation will change or make redundant existing human roles, such as that of the pilot’. It covers a wide range of future scenarios, including ‘drones and advanced air mobility vehicles, such as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which can provide short journeys for a small number of people’.

The consultation seeks views on safety, civil and criminal liability, the rules of the air which all aircraft must follow when in flight, and other regulatory aspects. Conundrums include whether a self-flying aircraft should be able to depart from the rules if absolutely necessary in the interests of safety.

View the consultation here and respond by 27 May.

Issue: 8061 / Categories: Legal News , Aviation
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
back-to-top-scroll