Trevor has over 50 years’ experience in the fields of dispute resolution, travel and aviation, and insolvency. He was a founder member of PROFiT (Prevention of Fraud in Trade) and acted for many years as an external legal counsel to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Trevor is recognised by the UK legal directories as an expert in travel law and described as being a “visible force for his astute handling of work in this sector”. His eminent position and knowledge of this area of law has made him ‘a person to go to’ for the newspapers, television, radio and those fighting fraud when they need an authoritative perspective on travel issues.
A big thank you to my lawyer, Trevor Sears, who I am incredibly grateful to, as he has been, and still is, a rock in the middle of a business and life "ocean". He has put be straight where I wandered off course and his character, which I once described as a mixture of Robin Hood and the Terminator, has been, and still is, a tremendous pillar in my life.
Astrid Schmitt-Bylandt
Trevor Sears' knowledge of IATA and airline contracts is excellent.
Legal 500 2020
Trevor has been instrumental in giving me excellent advice throughout my career. Whether it be assistance with name registration, or guidance generally, he has always provided an excellent service.
Edward Sexton
Trevor has supported our corporate travel business for over 10 years now, throughout that time he has never faltered on delivering a highly professional, informed, yet personalised service. There is never a hesitation to pick up the phone to Trevor as you know you will receive sound advice time and time again. A solicitor with a conscience who genuinely has your best interest at heart and is supremely well versed in his field.
Blue Cube Travel
Expertise
- Aviation regulatory work
- Travel and travel Fraud
- Restructuring and Insolvency
- Civil Fraud
- Company director, shareholder and partnership disputes
Experience
- Successfully acting for a business travel agency with substantial claims against an international oil group both UK and offshore
- Acting for a leading travel organisation in recovering substantial monies taken by in-house legal advisor
- Acting for IATA member airlines against major banks in trust monies claims
- Advising leading US airline on contract claims against online travel agencies, in international jurisdictions
- Successfully acting for a leading UK liquidator in Ponzi-type claims against former directors and others
- Successfully acting for a consortium of over 30 airlines in substantial claims against a major travel agency group
- Acting for major travel groups and advising with requirements imposed by regulatory bodies
- Advising IATA internationally on diverse legal issues over many years
- Acting for a leading trustee in bankruptcy in high-profile UK bankruptcies with international effect
- Successfully acting for a business travel agency with substantial claims against an international oil group
- Advising companies and partnerships on shareholder and partner disputes
- Advising a commercial lender on substantial claims against various borrowers including investigations into hidden assets
- Supported the client with specific Travel and Aviation Regulatory advice to divest themselves of a number of travel companies within their international group. The structure of disposals was diverse and challenging specifically concerning airline and IATA relationships and resultant financial backing and securities underlying the substantial transaction as well as CAA issues arising from ATOL bonding levels
- Provided advice on the recovery of monies by consumers from an airline where they have purchased flight tickets from the airline, have not used those tickets, but have not been refunded monies paid by them in respect of Departure taxes
- Provided specific Travel and Aviation Regulatory advice to client who wanted to divest themselves of a number of travel companies within their international group. Structure of disposals was diverse and challenging from a regulatory point of view and expert regulatory advice was needed
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised in Best Lawyers UK (2020-2025) for Aviation
Recognised in Best Lawyers UK (2009-2025) for Travel
Recognised in The Legal 500 2023-2025 for Travel
“Trevor Sears is exceptional with his experience and knowledge of the travel regulatory sector. He is very practical and commercial too.” The Legal 500 2023
Recognised in The Legal 500 2022 for Aviation
Recognised in The Legal 500 2022 for Travel: Regulatory and Commercial
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 for Aviation
Trevor Sears of Keystone Law is recognised as a “very well-respected” figure in the travel industry, with long-standing experience across a range of commercial and regulatory matters. He is particularly noted for his expertise regarding securities issues. Chambers UK 2019
Recognised in the Legal 500 2018/19 for Aviation
Trevor Sears of Keystone Law is an experienced practitioner who is recognised for his activity in commercial matters and travel regulations. Interviewees particularly highlight his handling of insolvencies in the travel sector. Chambers UK 2018
Trevor Sears is recognised by the Legal 500 2017. “Very experienced”
Trevor Sears of Keystone Law enjoys a “very good reputation,” based on both the longevity and the quality of his regulatory practice in the aviation sector. His market standing is reflected in his long-standing position as legal counsel to the International Air Transport Association. Chambers UK 2017 (Aviation)
Trevor Sears of Keystone Law is experienced in advising clients on fraud-related matters and travel regulations. Chambers UK 2017 (Travel)
“Keystone Law’s ‘client-focused’ [travel] team advises on a range of commercial and regulatory matters, and is particularly active in the aviation sector. Blue Cube Travel and Airline Handling International are clients. Consultant solicitors Trevor Sears and the ‘outstanding’ Alex Ferrari are key contacts.” Legal 500 2016
“Keystone Law attracts praise for its ‘extremely focused, hands-on and personalised’ service. Highlights included acting for Athena Services in a claim against Hawkeye Engines. Consultant solicitor Trevor Sears is recommended.” Legal 500 2016
‘Peers highlight Trevor Sears of Keystone Law for his long experience in the travel sector and his specialisation in commercial and insolvency disputes between travel agents and key aviation authorities.’ Chambers UK 2016
‘The “excellent” Trevor Sears of Keystone Law has decades of experience in the aviation sector. He advises carriers and industry bodies on a range of regulatory and litigation matters’ Chambers UK 2016
Recommended as part of the Keystone team for ‘strong industry knowledge’. Legal 500 2015
“Keystone Law’s Trevor Sears maintains a strong connection with the IATA and frequently advises it on a wide array of matters, including fund management and liquidation. He also assists airlines on regulatory issues arising from the closure of internet-based travel agencies, and elicits particular praise for his responsiveness.” Chambers UK 2015
“Trevor Sears of Keystone Law is an established regulatory and commercial travel lawyer.” Chambers UK 2015
Recognised in the 2014 edition of Super Lawyers for Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Trevor Sears is ‘very client-focused‘ and noted for ‘fast response times’ and a ‘client friendly approach’ Legal 500 2014
Winner of the Aviation category in the 2014 Client Choice Awards
Trevor Sears recently joined Keystone Law from Davenport Lyons. He focuses on aviation and travel fraud, and has 40 years’ experience in advising airlines. Chambers UK 2014
‘in-depth expertise of travel regulation. Clients say: “He’s very responsive, quick and on point.”‘Chambers UK 2014Notable individuals at Keystone Law include the ‘first-rate’ Trevor Sears, who joined from Davenport Lyons. Legal 500 UK 2013
Trevor is “outstanding” and has “attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement” Super Lawyers 2013
Recognised in the Third Edition of Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom in the practice area of Travel Law.
Aviation: Regulatory – Leading Individual Aviation: Shortlisted for excellence in aviation at the International Law Office and Lexology Client Choice awards 2013
Travel: Regulatory – Leading Individual (Band 1)
Travel: Key Individuals: “Unrivalled experience and expertise” and “Extremely knowledgeable and respected authority within the travel community for issues relating to insolvency, fraud, money laundering and licensing”
Career
Trevor qualified as a solicitor in 1972. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2013, he worked at the following firms:
- Davenport Lyons
- Kingsford Stacey Blackwell
- Booth & Blackwell