Matrix Chambers

Jonathan practises in a broad range of work. His practice includes human rights,  public law, national security, asylum, extradition, inquests and inquiries, product liability and clinical negligence.  Before being appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013 he had been a member of the Treasury A Panel. 

Jonathan is Develop Vetted and has acted in a large number of national security cases. He is regularly instructed as Counsel to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal and is instructed in the current challenges to MI5’s handling of data, the intelligence agencies’ collection of Bulk Personal Datasets and Bulk Communications Data and the challenge to the Third Direction (concerning the participation of agents in criminality).  He was also instructed in the claims brought by Belhaj and Amnesty International concerning the interception of materials protected by Legal Professional Privilege and the case brought by Privacy International concerning computer hacking.  Jonathan has also acted as a special advocate before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) and the Parole Board.  Acted for Ministry of Defence in Guardian and Times v Soldiers A-F (CoA) on anonymity of soldiers from Special Forces.

Recent public law cases include the challenge to the decision to deprive Shamima Begum of her UK citizenship, the challenge to the export of arms to Saudi Arabia for use in the Yemen conflict as well as the claims brought by 3 alleged Afghan spies against the UK Government.  He was instructed by the Home Secretary in the extradition challenge by Vijay Mallya.    

He acted in Strasbourg proceedings for Khodorkovsky, the former CEO of Yukos, against Russia, and has been instructed in a significant number of cases from Russia and the former CIS.

He has a wide-ranging practice in inquiries and inquests. He was instructed in the Azelle Rodney public inquiry and the Duggan inquests, as well as the deaths arising from the hostage taking at the In Amenas oil fields in Algeria. He advised the Attorney General in relation to the application to reopen the inquests into the death of Dr David Kelly as well as of those who died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster.  He is instructed by the N Ireland Secretary in the forthcoming Kieran Doherty Inquest in Northern Ireland. Jonathan has acted for coroners in a number of cases, including most recently the case of R. (on the application of Adath Yisroel Burial Society) v HM Senior Coroner for Inner North London.

Jonathan was generic counsel for claimants in the Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease/human growth hormone litigation and for the families at the BSE Inquiry. Briefed In a number of multi-party product liability actions, including ASR DePuy hip replacement and the use of Lariam by the MOD. Advised on Northwick Park clinical trials. Instructed by the government in the PTSD Litigation brought by soldiers from Falklands, Northern Ireland, the Gulf and Bosnia.

Undertaken trial observation as well as human rights training for the International Bar Association.

Appointed to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.  Former Solicitor (Honours); called to the Bar 1996, Middle Temple; contributing editor ‘Butterworth’s Personal Injury Litigation Service’ (and author of the sections on product liability and psychiatric injury). Co-author of Blackstone’s ‘Guide to Coroners and Justice Act’ 2009. Formerly member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (A Panel) since 2007.

HRLA; Inquest; BIICL; PNBA; PIBA.

Maidstone GS; New College, Oxford.