Jonathan Morton

Jonathan Morton’s extensive experience encompasses all areas of the onshore and offshore construction, shipbuilding and energy industries (oil and gas, nuclear and renewables), where he has assisted contractors, owners, shipyards and oil companies with contract negotiation and drafting, as well as in a wide range of international disputes.

Jonathan has worked on a large number of substantial international arbitrations (primarily under the ICC, LCIA and LMAA rules) and English Court actions 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 litigation usually includes cross-border elements and regularly involves entities based in the PRC, Scandinavia, Korea, and South America in particular. He is comfortable working with technically complex problems, and can quickly and efficiently get to grips with the fine details of engineering and design issues. This can often be particularly important where such details, and any judge or Tribunal’s understanding of them, can mean the difference between success and failure in a dispute.   

Jonathan also advises clients on EPCI, T&I, BoP and SURF contracts, and assists with their drafting, and has spent six months seconded with two major offshore contractors in the Netherlands working as a Contracts Manager. During that time he led a number of negotiations, advised on wind farm installation and construction contracts (including both the initial drafting and managing 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, and has continued his commitment to the local community by establishing and heading the firm’s pro-bono committee in the London office.