Business Details
23 Years
experience
Expert Travel Law Services in Horsforth
Travlaw is a specialist law firm dedicated to serving the travel and leisure industry. With over 80 years of combined experience, our team provides expert legal advice tailored to the unique needs of tour operators, travel agents, airlines, and insurers. As a founding member of the International Travel Law Network, we offer cross-border legal solutions supported by a global network of travel law specialists. Our regulatory expertise spans Package Travel Regulations, ATOL, and ABTA compliance, alongside commercial, employment, and intellectual property law.Ranked in Chambers and Legal 500 directories, we combine deep industry knowledge with practical commercial insight to deliver clear, actionable legal guidance. Our approachable team maintains strong relationships with trade associations including ABTA, ABTOT, and AITO, ensuring our advice remains aligned with sector-specific challenges. Headquartered in Horsforth, we serve clients across the UK and internationally, combining Yorkshire pragmatism with global legal reach.
Services
Aviation Law
Booking Conditions
Commercial Agreements
Regulatory Advice
Employment Law
Data Protection
Health & Safety
Litigation
Training Sessions
Corporate Services
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We have over 80 years combined experience in travel law
- We are members of the International Travel Law Network
- Our team is ranked in Chambers and Legal 500 directories
- We provide industry-specific advice on regulatory compliance
- Our approachable team delivers clear, comprehensive legal guidance
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Deep understanding of the industry
Responsive and efficient
Expert in travel law
Excellent service
Highly recommended
Services
Aviation Law
Our aviation law specialists provide expert legal support for airlines and aviation stakeholders. With longstanding industry relationships, we handle regulatory compliance, contractual disputes, and operational challenges. Our team offers practical solutions for licensing, safety regulations, and cross-border agreements, ensuring clients meet evolving aviation legal requirements while protecting commercial interests.
Regulatory Advice
We specialise in travel industry regulatory compliance covering Package Travel Regulations, ATOL, and ABTA Code of Conduct. Our team helps businesses navigate complex legal frameworks, implement compliant practices, and respond to regulatory audits. This includes policy development, staff training, and representation during enforcement actions, ensuring operational continuity and legal security.
Travel Litigation
Our litigation team handles travel-related legal disputes including customer claims, contract breaches, and insurance matters. With extensive courtroom experience, we provide strategic defence representation and settlement negotiations. We advise on risk mitigation strategies while maintaining client reputation, handling thousands of cases across aviation, package travel, and hospitality sectors.
Commercial Agreements
We draft and review commercial contracts for travel businesses including supplier agreements, distribution partnerships, and service contracts. Our lawyers identify potential risks while ensuring terms protect client interests. Services include negotiation support, compliance checks, and dispute resolution clause development to safeguard business relationships and commercial objectives.
Data Protection
Our GDPR specialists address travel industry data challenges including international data transfers, customer information handling, and regulatory reporting. We provide compliance audits, staff training, and breach response protocols tailored to travel operators' needs. This ensures adherence to EU and UK data protection laws while maintaining operational efficiency across global operations.
People
Matt Gatenby
Senior Partner
Senior Partner with BA (hons) leading travel law expertise. Recognised in Legal 500 for travel sector legal excellence. Oversees complex regulatory cases and strategic client relationships while maintaining active industry engagement through speaking events and publications.
Rivka Hawley
Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director with ACILEx qualification. Specialises in regulatory frameworks and corporate governance. Leads firm strategy while maintaining hands-on involvement in key client accounts and industry policy development initiatives that shape travel law practice.
Stephen Mason
Senior Counsel
Recognised legal expert listed in Chambers directories. Focuses on complex litigation and regulatory matters. Provides strategic legal guidance to major travel industry players while contributing to policy discussions that influence sector regulations and compliance standards.
Krystene Bousfield
Partner
Partner with specialist knowledge in travel litigation and regulatory compliance. Advises on high-value disputes and policy implementation. Known for practical problem-solving approach and client-focused communication style that simplifies complex legal concepts for business application.
Nick Parkinson
Partner
Partner handling commercial agreements and corporate transactions. Advises on mergers, acquisitions, and international expansion strategies. Combines legal expertise with commercial awareness to deliver solutions that balance legal requirements with business growth objectives.
Questions
What areas of law does Travlaw specialise in?
We specialise in travel and leisure law covering regulatory compliance, litigation, commercial agreements, employment law, and data protection specifically tailored to the travel industry.
How experienced is Travlaw's team?
Our team has over 80 years combined experience in travel law, with specialists ranked in Chambers and Legal 500 directories, serving clients since 2003.
Do you handle international legal matters?
As founding members of the International Travel Law Network, we provide cross-border legal solutions through our global network of travel law specialists.
What makes Travlaw different from other law firms?
We combine deep travel industry knowledge with legal expertise, offering commercially astute advice that understands both legal requirements and sector-specific business challenges.
