GJN Lawyer Named to Dutch Special Committee on MH-17

In aviation accidents it is important that lawyers of surviving relatives work together closely. This certainly applies to the MH-17 case.

This is the reason that recently a Dutch steering committee was formed. This committee consists of 6 Dutch leading lawyers in the field of aviation accidents.

Our GJN member, Antoinette Collignon, is part of this committee. Other members are Veeru Mewa, Peter Langstraat, Maya Spetter, Sander de Lang and Evert Wytema.

The task of this steering committee is to inventory subjects which apply to all Dutch MH-17 cases under the Montreal Convention and determine a policy which applies to these cases. The steering committee had consultations with Dutch lawyers of MAS (Malaysia Airlines) in an effort to reach arrangements which will help resolve the cases.

The steering committee will also advise relatives on the possibilities to claim damages from other potentially liable parties. It will work closely with aviation lawyers representing relatives in other countries.

The steering committee has close contacts with the Dutch Victim Support Foundation and the Foundation of relatives of MH17 victims as well as the Dutch legal aid board.

Antoinette Collignon has stressed the importance for victims’ families to know what exactly happened on July 17, 2014, and why.  And furthermore, that the families deserve an answer as to why MAS/KLM continued to fly over Ukraine while other airlines had stopped.  She appeared recently on Dutch television’s WNL News.  (http://tinyurl.com/l7hcs4t)