Jonathan Schaffer-Goddard
Call 2017 (E&W), 2023 (NY)
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 specialising in 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 rare practical cross-jurisdictional experience to his practice.
The scope of Jonathan’s practical cross-jurisdictional experience sets him apart among commercial juniors at the English Bar. Alongside regular appearances before the High Court in England, he has tried cases and argued motions as first chair in the Southern District of New York, briefed and argued appeals in the Second and Seventh Circuits, and appeared in other state and federal courts at both trial and appellate level nationwide.
His arbitration practice is equally substantial: he regularly 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 counsel or as part of a team in complex arbitrations.
Jonathan is known for a relentless work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. He 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 both a barrister and a New York attorney. He is the founder and convenor of a network for UK-qualified and UK-educated lawyers in New York City.
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.
Cross-border Litigation
Jonathan has deep expertise in cross-border work between England and the United States. He has extensive experience advising on foreign discovery, jurisdiction disputes, the recognition and enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, and ancillary relief in both jurisdictions.
Featured Cross-border Litigation cases
Acting against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in High Court proceedings in England.
Acted 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. Successfully compelled the production of documents over which English law privileges were asserted in New York federal court.
Advising on the enforceability of domestic U.S. arbitration awards in England.
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 and of a New York default judgment in England.
Advising on obtaining evidence in England in aid of US proceedings.
A forum non conveniens dispute in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Advising on parallel proceedings in the United States and England, including on a Worldwide Freezing Order in England 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 action in ongoing English High Court litigation, and on the defence 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.
Jonathan has also acted in cases arising under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
International Arbitration
Much of Jonathan’s practice is before arbitral tribunals and in challenges and applications under the Arbitration Act 1996. During his LLM studies, he won the NYU Law School prize for International Arbitration. He regularly acts in both ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, including under ICC, LCIA, ICDR, CPR and LMAA rules.
He is the co-author of the sixth edition of The Arbitration Act 1996: A Commentary, a leading guide to the Arbitration Acts 1996 and 2025, and co-author of two chapters in England and Wales Court Judgments on Arbitration: Shaping English Arbitration Law and Practice.
Featured International Arbitration cases
Eletson Gas LLC v A Limited & Ors [2025] EWHC 1855 (Comm): Led by Alexander Wright KC, one of only a handful of decisions on s.32 of the Arbitration Act 1996. A complex multi-jurisdictional dispute turning on expert evidence of US, Liberian and Marshall Islands law.
Acting for the Claimant in a $1bn LCIA arbitration, with claims arising out of 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.
Junior counsel, led by Ben Pilling KC, in an ICC arbitration under Turkish law.
Sole counsel in a two-day LCIA arbitration arising out of the allegedly fraudulent assignment of sums owed under a contract for the sale of oil.
Junior counsel in multiple LMAA arbitrations for breach of ship management agreements.
Sole counsel in an LMAA arbitration arising out of breach of exclusivity terms in a contract with a ship finance broker.
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.
Sole counsel in a successful arbitration obtaining an order that the director of a company travel internationally and undergo mandatory quarantine, to fulfil 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 s.67 and s.68 challenges to the decision of an LMAA arbitrator in a dispute arising out of the sale of a multi-million-pound yacht.
Jiangsu Shagang Group v Loki Owning Company [2018] EWHC 330 (Comm): A s.67 challenge to the decision of an arbitrator in an $80m charterparty dispute. With Alexander Wright KC.
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 with Alexander Wright KC.
Insurance & Reinsurance
Jonathan has significant experience advising on insurance disputes, including high-value and cross-jurisdictional coverage disputes in the US, the UK and offshore jurisdictions.
Featured Insurance & Reinsurance cases
Led by Alex Potts KC in a nine-figure business interruption dispute in the Cayman Islands.
Led by Roddy Dunlop KC in Ristorante Limited (t/a Bar Massimo) v Zurich Insurance Plc [2021] EWHC 2538 (Ch), a key case on the law on material non-disclosure and the insurer’s waiver of disclosure.
Led by Ben Pilling KC in an ICC arbitration, acting for a consortium of insurers, in a dispute about the Turkish law of coinsurance.
Advising on the operation of Section 11 Insurance Act 2015.
Acting for a major US insurer in opioid coverage litigation in New Jersey, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Advising a US insurer on coverage, jurisdiction and choice of law clauses in excess coverage layers under Missouri and English law.
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.
Junior counsel, led by Andrew Neish KC, advising a Lloyds syndicate on a high-value 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.
General Commercial Litigation
Jonathan has extensive experience in commercial litigation, acting as sole and junior counsel across a broad range of disputes. He has particular experience in luxury asset disputes, including those relating to high-value classic cars and yachts.
Featured General Commercial Litigation cases
Acting against the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in High Court proceedings in England.
Phlo Technologies Ltd v Tallaght Financial Ltd (t/a Cubefunder) [2025] EWHC 1405 (Ch): Successfully obtained the first injunction restraining the appointment of administrators under Paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986. Led by Simon Goldstone.
Junior counsel in a seven-figure agency dispute arising out of the sale of a classic car. Led by Alexander Wright KC.
Acted for the claimant in major litigation in Arkansas 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.
Advising on cross-jurisdictional fraud claims arising out of failed investments.
Acting for tax advisors in a claim for unpaid introducer fees.
Sole counsel in a large software dispute for a well-known investment firm.
Sole counsel in a claim by an aerial mapping company- against an airport.
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 and repair of high-value and classic cars and yachts.
Shipping and Marine
Jonathan has broad experience across shipping, shipbuilding and marine disputes.
Featured Shipping and Marine cases
Eletson Gas LLC v A Limited & Ors [2025] EWHC 1855 (Comm). Led by Alexander Wright KC. A complex multi-jurisdictional dispute relating to the ownership of a shipping line.
Junior counsel in multiple LMAA arbitrations for breach of ship management agreements
Sole counsel in an LMAA arbitration arising out of breach of exclusivity terms in a contract with a ship finance broker
Advising a ship owner on claims arising from damage caused to port infrastructure by a vessel (led by Alexander 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.
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 Alexander 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 acts for both employers and contractors in 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, led by Ben Pilling KC, in an ICC arbitration under Turkish law relating to failures of groundworks during construction of a motorway.
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).
Sole counsel for an Employer’s Agent in a dispute with the employer arising out of alleged negligence in drafting subcontract terms.
Sole counsel acting for a subcontractor in a claim for rectification of a liquidated damages provision in a JCT contract.
Junior counsel in an ad hoc CIMAR arbitration regarding negligent design in relation to a £2 million residential development (led by Thomas Crangle).
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).
Acting as junior counsel in a successful resistance to enforcement of an adjudicator’s
Instructed as sole counsel in a professional negligence claim against a yacht broker.
Instructed as sole counsel in solicitors’ negligence disputes.
Assisted Jessica Stephens KC in BDW Trading v Integral Geotechnique [2018] EWHC 1915 (TCC): The successful defence of a £2.5m claim arising out of the alleged negligence of a geotechnical engineer.
Technology & Telecoms
Jonathan acts for and against technology companies, software providers and biotech companies across the US and the UK.
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 regularly teaches 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 International Committee of the Inner Temple and the New York American Inn of Court.
Jonathan writes and speaks regularly on international arbitration and litigation. He completed his LLM 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, Vis Moot chair of the NYU International Arbitration Association, and research assistant to Professor Linda Silberman.
Jonathan maintains an active and varied pro bono practice. In addition to his main areas of practice, recent pro bono cases include instructions in ecclesiastical law and international child abduction disputes.
Jonathan Schaffer-Goddard contributor of ‘The FIDIC Conditions of Contract and Domestic Construction Law’
We are delighted to announce that Wolters Kluwer has released ‘The FIDIC Conditions of Contract and Domestic...
Eletson Gas LLC v A Limited & Ors [2025] EWHC 1855 (Comm): important findings by the Commercial Court on the recognition of foreign arbitral...
A. Introduction On 14 July 2025, judgment was handed down by the Commercial Court in Eletson Gas LLC v A Limited &...
The Arbitration Act 2025 formally enters into force
On 1 August 2025, the Arbitration Act 2025 (the “2025 Act”) formally enters into force. The 2025 Act brings about a...
Judgment handed down in Phlo Technologies Ltd v Tallaght Financial Ltd (t/a Cubefunder) [2025] EWHC 1405 (Ch)
Simon Goldstone and Jonathan Schaffer-Goddard, instructed by Addleshaw Goddard, acted for Phlo Technologies Ltd, the...
Instruct Jonathan
To instruct Jonathan please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7842 5521 or email [email protected].
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