Expert witness's identity protected in Irish aircraft lessors' cases 'over risk of harm'

Lessors allege sweeping EU sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine forced them to terminate lease agreements in Russia and they could not retrieve their aircraft

The UN collation of sources suggests Russian authorities will sometimes resort to extrajudicial methods to exact retribution, which is not something that can be ignored at this stage, the judge said.

A High Court judge has been persuaded an expert witness could be at “real risk of harm” if their identity becomes public in cases brought by aircraft lessors over insurers’ alleged refusals to pay out over the detention of €2.5bn worth of planes in Russia.

Mr Justice Denis McDonald acceded to the Dublin-based lessors’ request for the expert’s evidence to the court to be heard “in camera” (otherwise than in public).