Jurisdiction(s):
European Union

EU drones and UAS legal framework: EASA operational categories, Implementing and Delegated Regulations, U-space, cross-border operations, product design and manufacture (CE marking), product liability and insurance, cybersecurity

Published by a LexisNexis EU Law expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note reviews the principal EU legal considerations tied to operating unmanned aircraft, or drones, for leisure and business purposes. It covers:

Drones—the basics
International aviation regulation
European aviation regulation
Classification of drones under the Implementing Regulation and the Delegated Regulation
Key provisions of the Implementing Regulation
Product liability
Insurance
Cybersecurity
Regulating the design and manufacture of UAS

Uncrewed aircraft (including other forms of uncrewed aeroplanes) are typically grouped into three main classes. The largest uncrewed types, such as those built for carrying passengers or for extended-range military use, are handled in law in the same manner as crewed aeroplanes. As a result, they face stringent oversight, encompassing platform certification and registration, pilot licences and operating rules comparable to standard civil aviation. This drone class is outside the scope of this Practice Note. Operations with unmanned aircraft that fall short of conventional certification benchmarks, yet can be shown to be safe, comprise the second class. For many years, most aviation authorities have possessed, and in some cases been obliged to exercise, powers to authorise such activities via a permit to fly regime or by granting operators exemptions from specified obligations through permits, exemptions and regulator approvals, as necessary only...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Simon Phippard , LLB AKC FRAeS

Bird & Bird

I am a specialist aviation and aerospace lawyer with a wide range of experience in contentious and non-contentious matters both in private practice (23 years) and in-house (7 years). I originally specialised in litigation and arbitration, handling commercial, insurance and liability disputes worldwide as solicitor and client. This included 10 years in aviation casualty work including major accidents and recourse claims. More recently, I have gained extensive experience in transactional work including commercial negotiations. I have a unique level of technical and product related knowledge on flight operations, product integrity and regulatory requirements, continuing airworthiness management and other issues affecting design, manufacture, repair and operation of all kinds of aircraft. Extensive experience in international, regional and domestic economic and technical regulation affecting aviation. Particular specialisation in unmanned aircraft and application of new technologies to aviation business. Specialist also in anti-bribery and corruption compliance across aviation, aerospace as well as other...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...