Jonathan Morton

Jonathan Morton is Counsel and Solicitor Advocate in the London office of Haynes Boone, where his extensive experience encompasses all areas of the onshore and offshore construction, shipbuilding and energy industries (oil and gas, nuclear and renewables), assisting contractors, owners, shipyards and oil companies with contract management and disputes.

Alongside his energy and construction work, Jonathan acts in a wide range of general commercial litigation and arbitration matters, representing clients both in High Court proceedings in London and in international arbitrations seated in London, Singapore and Hong Kong. His dispute experience includes high-value investment fund disputes in excess of $200 million, shareholder disputes, breach of contract claims and other complex, significant commercial conflicts. Whatever form a dispute takes, his focus is on helping clients resolve their problems through practical, commercially minded dispute resolution that keeps their wider business objectives firmly in view.

Jonathan has worked in particular on a large number of substantial international arbitrations (primarily under the ICC, LCIA and LMAA rules) involving issues including delay and cost overruns; waiver, estoppel and the prevention principle; allegations of bribery and corruption; disputes over payments for variation orders; and liability for errors in design. Such disputes usually include cross-border elements and regularly involve entities based in the PRC, Scandinavia, Korea and South America in particular. He is comfortable working with technically complex problems in construction, engineering and energy disputes, and can quickly and efficiently get to grips with the fine details of engineering and design issues. This is particularly important where such details, and a judge's or tribunal's understanding of them, can mean the difference between success and failure in a dispute.

Jonathan also advises clients on offshore construction and energy contracts, including EPCI, T&I, BoP and SURF contracts, and helps draft them. He spent six months seconded to two major offshore contractors in the Netherlands as a Contracts Manager. During that time he led a number of negotiations, advised on offshore wind farm installation and construction contracts (covering both the initial drafting and their successful and efficient implementation), and negotiated and drafted a substantial framework agreement with an oil major.

He has also delivered presentations and training workshops to a range of clients on topics including BIMCO, LOGIC and other standard forms, liability issues and indemnity provisions, offshore wind projects (both floating and fixed) and key principles of construction under English law.

Jonathan has written for numerous industry publications on his areas of expertise, including OffshoreWIND, Offshore Magazine, Offshore Energy Today, Insurance Business and Mealey's International Arbitration Report.

Before becoming a lawyer, Jonathan worked as a teacher in several challenging inner-city schools. He has kept up his commitment to the local community by establishing and leading the pro bono committee in the firm's London office.