Atkin Chambers

Jonathan specialises in domestic and international litigation and arbitration in the construction, civil engineering and energy sectors, and all related technical disputes. Throughout his career, he has handled many high-profile cases representing governments (British and overseas), contractors, and their professional advisers all over the world.

He regularly appears as counsel in English High Court litigation and arbitration, both domestic and international. He also acts as arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator, and in expert determination.

Internationally he has conducted ad hoc, ICC and UNCITRAL arbitrations in Asia-Pacific (Singapore), The Middle East (Dubai, Oman), Central Asia (Kazakhstan), the Caribbean and Europe (Paris, Brussels, Sweden, Switzerland and London) in relation to disputes arising out of projects in Europe, Africa, India, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South-East Asia.

In addition to this, between 2005 and 2010 he advised and acted for the British government in a number of mediations and trials for DEFRA against contractors arising out of the foot and mouth outbreak and other epidemics. In 2009 he was appointed as Lead Counsel to the Al-Sweady inquiry, the public inquiry called to investigate allegations relating to the unlawful killing and mistreatment of Iraqi detainees by British soldiers at UK bases in 2004. Jonathan was appointed as a deputy high court judge in 2008 and sits regularly in the Technology and Construction Courts.

Called 1977; Bencher of Inner Temple 1995; QC 1996; assistant recorder 1997; Recorder 2000; deputy High Court judge 2008; Chairman, Professional Conduct and Complaints Committee of the General Council of the Bar 2001-02; Legal Services Consultative Panel 2004-09.

Jonathan has a good working knowledge of French.

Jonathan is a member of TECBAR, COMBAR, LCLCBA and PNBA