Jonathan Schaffer-Goddard

Instruct Jonathan

To instruct Jonathan please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5555 or email [email protected].

Jonathan is a highly sought-after junior barrister for commercial litigation and international arbitration. Dual-qualified at the New York Bar, he has appeared as both sole and junior counsel before courts and tribunals across the United States and England, bringing a rare depth of cross-jurisdictional experience to his practice which spans the full breadth of chambers’ work.

The scope of Jonathan’s cross-jurisdictional experience uniquely positions him among commercial juniors at the English Bar: In England and Wales he has conducted well over 150 contested trials and hearings. In the United States he has conducted a trial as first chair and argued multiple motions in Federal court in New York, argued an appeal in the Seventh Circuit, and appeared in State and Federal courts for at both the trial and appellate level nationwide.

His arbitration expertise is equally formidable. He acts in high-stakes international and domestic arbitrations, including two separate billion-dollar disputes: one involving a “giga-project” in Saudi Arabia and another concerning an energy project in Angola. He is frequently instructed as sole and junior counsel for multi-day arbitrations.

In addition to his experience in Chambers, Jonathan spent two and a half years at Holwell Shuster and Goldberg LLP, a leading Manhattan litigation boutique (Benchmark Litigation’s New York Law Firm of the Year 2024 & 2025; General Commercial Firm of the Year (Nationwide) 2025).

Renowned for his relentless work ethic, strategic problem-solving, and meticulous attention to detail. Jonathan has significant experience dealing with large quantities of expert evidence, and thrives in high-stakes disputes, whether advising at the outset of proceedings or working as part of a larger counsel team towards trial. His tactical and strategic insight makes him a go-to advocate for complex commercial matters.

Jonathan accepts instructions as a Barrister, and as a New York Attorney. In New York, Jonathan can be contacted at 43 West 43rd Street, Suite 121, New York, NY, 10036 and +1 (212) 709-8078.

Cross-border Litigation

Jonathan has a particular interest in cross-border work between England and the United States. He has extensive experience advising on foreign discovery, jurisdiction disputes, recognition and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, and ancillary relief in both the United States and England.

Featured Cross-border Litigation cases

Acting for Appian Capital to obtain evidence from a third-party investment bank in the United States under §1782 in aid of proceedings in the English high court. Argued the motion to compel the production of documents over which English privileges were asserted in New York Federal Court.

Advising an English litigant on enforcement of a Florida judgment in England.

Obtained dismissal of claims under an English jurisdiction clause in Missouri State Court and on appeal.

Advising on a proposed anti-suit injunction in England and related anti-anti-suit injunction in the United States.

Advising on the enforceability of an English default judgment in New York.

Advising on obtaining evidence in England in aid of US proceedings.

A forum non-conveniens dispute in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Advising on parallel proceedings in the United States and England, including on a Worldwide Freezing Order and other interim remedies in New York.

Obtaining an order for the taking of evidence under the Hague Evidence Convention in aid of ongoing US proceedings.

Advising a UHNW individual on a contempt order in California compelling actions in ongoing English High Court litigation, and the defense of foreign sovereign compulsion.

Advising a foreign client on US conflict of law rules under the law of Pennsylvania, California, New York and the District of Columbia.

Advising an English client on the enforceability of a choice of law clause in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona and Delaware.

International Arbitration

Much of Jonathan’s work is before arbitral tribunals and in challenges and applications under the Arbitration Act 1996.

He is the co-author of the upcoming Sixth Edition of The Arbitration Act 1996: A Commentary, and co-author of two chapters to the upcoming book England and Wales Court Judgments on Arbitration: Shaping English Arbitration Law and Practice.

Featured International Arbitration cases

Acting for the Claimant in a $1bn LCIA Arbitration, claims arising out the sale of gas turbines. Cross-examined multiple witnesses.

Instructed from the opening of pleadings through until a final month-long hearing as junior counsel in a ten-figure ICC arbitration arising out of a large Middle Eastern infrastructure project, led by Duncan McCall KC and Ben Pilling KC.

Sole counsel in a two-day LCIA arbitration arising out the allegedly fraudulent assignment of sums owing under a contract for the sale of oil.

Sole counsel in a successful arbitration seeking an order that the director of a company travel internationally and undergo mandatory quarantine, in order to fulfill contractual obligations under a JCT Design and Build contract.

Junior counsel (with Thomas Crangle) in a multi-million pound ad hoc arbitration – a coverage dispute between a design and build contractor and their insurer.

Sole counsel in an LMAA arbitration – a dispute arising out of damage to a vessel caused by a barge supplying bunkers.

Sole counsel in a LMAA arbitration – a dispute between a ship-financing broker and shipowner.

Sole counsel in a s.67 and s.68 challenge to the decision of an LMAA Arbitrator in a dispute arising out of the sale of a multi-million pound yacht.

Acting for a US subcontractor in a dispute with a Singapore shipyard.

Acting for a biotech company in New York and Delaware law disputes against major pharmaceutical companies.

Assisted Alex Wright KC in Jiangsu Shagang Group v Loki Owning Company [2018] EWHC 330 (Comm): A s.67 challenge to the decision of an arbitrator in a $80m charterparty dispute.

Assisted Alex Wright KC in Haven Insurance Company v EUI (t/a Elephant) [2018] EWHC 143 (Comm) and [2018] EWCA Civ 2494: A s.67 challenge to the decision of an arbitrator, in a dispute arising out of the articles of association of the Motor Insurance Bureau.

Insurance & Reinsurance

Jonathan has experience in a range of insurance disputes and is regularly instructed by both insurers and policyholders.

Featured Insurance & Reinsurance cases

Led by Roddy Dunlop KC in Ristorante Limited (t/a Bar Massimo) v Zurich Insurance Plc [2021] EWHC 2538 (Ch), the most recent statement of the law on material non-disclosure and the insurer’s waiver of disclosure.

Advising a US insurer on coverage, jurisdiction and choice of law clauses in excess coverage layers under Missouri and English law.

Junior counsel, led by Andrew Neish KC advising a Lloyds syndicate on a high-value sensitive coverage dispute.

Advising a US insurer on the prospects of an English anti-suit injunction in the context of ongoing US proceedings in breach of an exclusive jurisdiction clause.

Instructed in relation to a multi-million pound loss arising out of a fire at commercial premises.

Acting for an insurer in litigation in New Jersey, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina arising out of the opioid epidemic.

Advising on the proper construction of CGL policies under the law of various states in the United States in relation to claims for coverage for construction defects. Advising on multi-state litigation strategy regarding the same.

Instructed as sole counsel in a co-insurance dispute arising out of a flooding incident.

Instructed to advise a developer on coverage for policies insuring against judicial review of planning decisions.

Commercial Litigation

Jonathan has extensive experience in commercial litigation, acting as sole and junior counsel in a broad range of disputes. Jonathan has particular experience in luxury asset disputes, including those relating to high value classic car and yachts.

Featured Commercial Litigation cases

Junior counsel in a seven-figure agency dispute arising out of the sale of a classic car (led by Alex Wright KC).

Acting for the claimant in major litigation in Federal Court against Walmart arising out of the termination of PPE orders worth over $500 million by a major multinational retailer. Took depositions as sole counsel.

Sole counsel in a large software dispute for a well-known investment firm.

Sole counsel in a claim by an aerial mapping company relating to damage to two specialist aircraft.

Advising a large international claimant on potential claims under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act against a foreign sovereign for expropriation of property.

Advising a payment provider on rights of termination under New York law.

Regularly instructed to act for auctioneers and agents in claims relating to alleged negligence, breach of contract or breach of fiduciary duty.

Regularly instructed to act in disputes arising out of the sale, auction, repair and of high value and classic cars and yachts.

Shipping

Jonathan has experience in a range of shipping and marine disputes:

Featured Shipping cases

Advising a ship owner on claims arising from damage caused to port infrastructure by a vessel (led by Alex Wright KC).

Advising on the scope of the regulatory powers of Ports of Jersey (led by Sean O’Sullivan KC).

Sole counsel in an LMAA Arbitration – a dispute arising out of damage to a vessel caused by a barge supplying bunkers.

Sole counsel in a LMAA arbitration – a dispute between a ship-financing broker and shipowner.

Advising on the construction of a dangerous goods clause in the standard terms of a major shipper.

Instructed in a claim for damage to a racing yacht.

Assisted Alex Wright KC on an anti-suit injunction following the arrest of a vessel in Bangladesh.

Regularly instructed by yacht and other luxury boat owners in claims relating to defective works, repairs or damage.

Construction & Professional Negligence

Jonathan has experience acting for both Employers and Contractors in relation to construction disputes of all sizes, as well as in a variety of professional negligence claims.

He is the author of the chapter on England in The FIDIC Conditions of Contract and Domestic Construction Law: A Guide for Global Dispute Resolution.

Featured Construction & Professional Negligence cases

Junior counsel in an ultra-high value ICC arbitration arising out of a large Middle Eastern infrastructure project (led by Duncan McCall KC and Ben Pilling KC).

Junior counsel in a TCC dispute regarding validity of a payless notice and the proper construction of a standard term in a JCT contract (led by Anthony Speight KC).

Junior counsel in an ad hoc CIMAR Arbitration regarding negligent design in relation to a £2 million residential development (led by Thomas Crangle)

Acting as junior counsel in a successful resistance to enforcement of an adjudicators award.

Instructed as sole counsel in professional negligence claim against a Yacht Broker.

Instructed as sole counsel in solicitors negligence dispute.

Assisted Jessica Stephens KC in BDW Trading v Integral Geotechnique [2018] EWHC 1915 (TCC): The successful defense of a £2.5m claim arising out of the alleged negligence of a geotechnical engineer.

Regularly instructed to act as sole counsel for both Homeowners and Contractors in relation to disputes arising out of domestic construction work.

Technology & Telecoms

Jonathan regularly acts in disputes relating to technology. He is particularly interested in disputes arising out of emergent technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Featured Technology & Telecoms cases

Acting for a major investment firm as sole counsel in a large software dispute.

Acting for a variety of SMEs in complex software disputes with suppliers.

Acting for a large biotech company in arbitrations seated in New York and Delaware.

Acting for a software provider in a dispute with a customer arising out alleged repudiatory breach and wrongful termination.

Other Experience

Jonathan is regularly involved in teaching advocacy and mooting to law students. He acts as a judge in domestic and international mooting competitions and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the English Speaking Union Moot. As a law student, Jonathan won both the Inner Temple Inter-Varsity Mooting Competition (2015) and the ESU/Essex Court National Mooting Competition (2016).

He is a member of the Student Societies Committee and the International Committee of the Inner Temple.

Jonathan writes and speaks regularly on topics in international arbitration and litigation. He completed his LL.M. at New York University School of Law, graduating with the law school’s prize for international litigation and arbitration. He served as a graduate editor of the Journal of International Law and Politics, the Vis Moot chair of the NYU International Arbitration Association, and as a research assistant to Professor Linda Silberman.

Jonathan maintains an active and varied pro bono practice. Recent pro bono cases include instructions in Ecclesiastical Law and International Child Abduction in addition to his main areas of practice.

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