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Jonathan Bellamy

“A very experienced and skilful advocate. Knows the key issues the tribunal wishes to be addressed on. Exceptional in cross-examining expert witnesses.” The Legal 500 2022

Jonathan Bellamy has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in commercial law. His sector experience includes commercial contracts, construction, infrastructure, energy, insurance and reinsurance, sale of goods and services, IT contracts, public private partnerships (PPP)/private finance initiative (PFI), banking and financial services, information law, professional liability and professional sport.

He is ranked in the legal directories as a leading barrister in the UK in international arbitration, insurance and reinsurance and professional sport, in the Asia Pacific and Europe Middle East Africa regions in commercial (tier 1 and band 2) and in the Asia Pacific region in construction, energy and infrastructure (tier 1).

Jonathan has experience of disputes governed by other common law systems including Hong Kong law, Singapore law and prominent civil law systems including French law and United Arab Emirates (UAE) law. He practices from our offices in London and Singapore. He is a Registered Legal Practitioner at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) courts in Dubai.

Jonathan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a practising national and international Chartered Arbitrator. He has sat in in over 40 arbitrations in the commercial, construction and professional sport sectors. He sits as sole and panel arbitrator and chairman by institutional appointment (including International Court of Arbitration (ICC), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNICTRAL)/ad hoc.

 

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Areas of expertise

Commercial

“A highly astute legal mind.” The Legal 500 2021

Jonathan has an expansive commercial practice in disputes and advisory matters in UK and internationally. He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain complex legal and factual material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and before courts and arbitration tribunals. Jonathan is regularly instructed at an early stage in proceedings and is an experienced dispute resolution strategist. He is experienced in dealing with urgent interim remedies and cases involving complex factual and technical issues on liability and damages and issues of foreign law. He is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.

-- Banking and Financial Services

“Always has an eye on the commercial goal of the client.” The Legal 500 2019

Jonathan advises and acts nationally and internationally in commercial and regulatory banking and finance disputes in on and off-shore jurisdictions. His experience includes equity and derivative trading, interest rates swaps, financial product mis-selling and cryptocurrency disputes. He is experienced in dealing with urgent interim remedies including freezing injunctions.

He is a Registered Legal Practitioner (Part II: Full Rights of Audience): DIFC courts.

Jonathan is a lead counsel to the independent Foskett Re-Review Panel into the historic banking fraud at the HBOS Impaired Assets Unit at Reading and Bishopsgate.

He has an active practice as a Chartered Arbitrator in the banking and financial services sector.

-- Civil Fraud

“Excellent advocacy skills and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)

Jonathan’s practice extends to civil fraud in his commercial contracts, banking and financial services and insurance practice areas. He has wide experience in fraud claims, including business compromise frauds, nationally and internationally in particular in the Middle East and Asia.

He acts regularly in disputes requiring urgent interim remedies and involving complex factual and technical issues and evidence.

Jonathan is a lead counsel to the independent Foskett Re-Review Panel into the historic banking fraud at the HBOS Impaired Assets Unit at Reading and Bishopsgate.

He is a Registered Legal Practitioner (Part II: Full Rights of Audience): DIFC courts.

-- Commercial Contracts

“A highly astute legal mind,” The Legal 500 (2021)

Jonathan’s commercial practice covers a wide range of commercial transactions, nationally and internationally, including sale of goods, sale of professional services, PPP/PFI contracts, IT contracts, outsourcing, financial service contracts, project funding, joint ventures, directors’ warranty claims, guarantees and indemnities, agency disputes, property development, disputes and professional sport contracts. He acts regularly in disputes requiring urgent interim remedies and involving complex factual and technical issues and evidence. 

He is experienced in disputes concerning compliance with express and implied quality standards, technical specifications, breach of condition and warranty claims, exclusion and limitation clauses and the quantification of consequential loss claims.

He is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.

-- Energy (Commercial)

“Incisive with his legal mind, astute with a disarming manner.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (2021)

Jonathan has an established practice in energy and infrastructure law. In the oil and gas, natural resources and renewable energy sectors, his experience includes upstream and downstream disputes, pipeline and distribution, construction and engineering projects (onshore and offshore), joint ventures, construction funding and associated insurance, environmental and professional liability issues. He is experienced in dealing with disputes involving complex factual and technical issues.

In the nuclear sector, Jonathan has specific experience in infrastructure, site and transport insurance and reinsurance and third-party civil liabilities.

His work extends to associated environmental, remediation insurance and health and safety issues in the energy sector.

-- Insurance and Reinsurance

“Great for difficult and complex insurance points – he is a real authority on the subject and always provides considered commercial advice. Also, a first-class advocate.” The Legal 500 Insurance and Reinsurance (2022)

Jonathan’s insurance and reinsurance work covers all the usual issues arising in coverage disputes, including the construction of insurance policies, fair presentation of risk and fraud. His experience includes all categories of indemnity and contingency policies and financial lines, including public liability, professional indemnity, property insurance, trade credit insurance, environmental liability, business interruption, product liability, contractors’ risks, cyber risks, directors and officers and nuclear and energy risks. His reinsurance work includes proportional and non-proportional contracts. He has experience in international insurance and reinsurance disputes in the Middle East and Asia and applicable civil laws, including UAE law. His work includes insurance regulation and subrogated insurance recovery claims.

-- International Arbitration

“Very experienced and skilful advocate. Knows the key issues the tribunal wish to be addressed on. Exceptional in cross-examining expert witnesses.” The Legal 500 International Arbitration (2022)

Jonathan advises and represents clients as counsel in international arbitration in commercial and construction disputes and regularly co-counsels with and drafts submissions for foreign registered lawyers.

His international arbitration experience includes disputes subject to all the major institutional rules including ICC, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), DIAC, CIArb and also UNICTRAL rules. He is experienced in disputes governed by foreign common and civil law systems, including Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE law.

He is ranked in the UK and in the Asia Pacific region as a leading barrister in International Arbitration. He is also ranked internationally in Commercial (tier 1) and Construction, Energy & Infrastructure (tier 1).

-- Professional Negligence

“Excellent advocacy skills and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.” The Legal 500 (2022)

Jonathan’s professional liability work covers a wide range of professional disciplines including accountants and auditors, construction professionals, engineers, expert determiners, financial services practitioners, insurance brokers and intermediaries, lawyers (solicitors and barristers), planning consultants, surveyors and valuers.

He acts for claiming parties and, on instructions from professional indemnity insurers, for defending parties. He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain complex legal and factual material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and before courts.

Jonathan is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.

-- PPP/PFI

“A highly astute legal mind.” The Legal 500 (2021)

Jonathan’s practice is based in complex contractual disputes. He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain detailed factual and documentary material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and to present their case to opponents and courts.

His sector experience includes PPP and PFI contract projects in healthcare infrastructure, prison estate, social housing, hard facilities management, soft facilities management, energy, outsourcing and high value equipment. He is experienced in advising on related funding contracts, construction and performance contracts and complex factual and technical issues on liability and damages. 

Jonathan is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.

Construction

“Very experienced in construction disputes.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2020)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration, adjudication and advisory practice in construction law and associated insurance and professional liability work. His practice includes national litigation and adjudication and international arbitrations under the auspices of major institutions (including ICC, SIAC, LCIA and DIAC) involving complex contractual, insurance and professional negligence disputes. His sector experience includes international commercial construction under the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) form, PPP/PFI, power station decommissioning, ship-building, wind farm, biomass plant, hotel, retail, healthcare, local government, leisure and premium residential works. He is experienced in dealing with cases, including cladding, involving complex factual and technical expert evidence issues on liability and damages.
 

-- Construction Professionals’ Liability

 “Excellent advocacy skills and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.” The Legal 500 (2022)

Jonathan’s professional liability work in the construction sector covers a wide range of professional disciplines including architects, civil engineers, expert determiners, insurance brokers and intermediaries, lawyers (solicitors and barristers), planning consultants, project managers, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, surveyors and valuers.

He acts for claiming parties and, on instructions from professional indemnity insurers, for defending parties. He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain complex legal and factual material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and before courts.

Jonathan is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.
 

-- Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Disputes

“Incisive with his legal mind, astute with a disarming manner.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (2021)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration, adjudication and advisory practice in construction law, energy and infrastructure disputes. His practice includes national litigation and adjudication and international arbitrations under the auspices of major institutions (including ICC, SIAC, LCIA and DIAC) involving complex contractual, insurance and professional negligence disputes. His sector experience includes international commercial construction under the FIDIC form, PPP/PFI, power station decommissioning, shipbuilding, wind farm, biomass plant, hotel, retail, healthcare, local government, leisure and premium residential works. He is experienced in dealing with cases, including cladding, involving complex factual and technical expert evidence issues on liability and damages.

-- Energy (Construction)

“Incisive with his legal mind, astute with a disarming manner.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (2021)

Jonathan has an established practice in energy and infrastructure law. In the oil and gas, natural resources and renewable energy sectors, his experience includes upstream and downstream disputes, pipeline and distribution, construction and engineering projects (onshore and offshore), joint ventures, construction funding and associated insurance, environmental and professional liability issues. He is experienced in dealing with disputes involving complex factual and technical issues.

In the nuclear sector, Jonathan has specific experience in infrastructure, site and transport insurance and reinsurance and third-party civil liabilities.

His work extends to associated environmental, remediation insurance and health and safety issues in the energy sector.

-- Insurance (Construction)

“Great for difficult and complex insurance points – he is a real authority on the subject and always provides considered commercial advice. Also, a first-class advocate.” The Legal 500 Insurance and Reinsurance (2022)

Jonathan’s insurance work in the construction sector covers all the usual issues arising in coverage disputes, including the construction of insurance policies, fair presentation of risk and fraud. His experience includes all categories of indemnity and contingency policies in the construction and infrastructure sector, including public liability, professional indemnity, property insurance, trade credit insurance, environmental liability, business interruption, product liability, contractors’ risks, cyber risks, directors and officers and nuclear and energy risks. He has experience in international insurance and reinsurance disputes in the Middle East and Asia and applicable civil laws, including UAE law. His work includes complex subrogated insurance recovery claims (fire, flood and explosion, etc).
 

-- International Arbitration (Construction)

“Very experienced and skilful advocate. Knows the key issues the tribunal wish to be addressed on. Exceptional in cross-examining expert witnesses.” The Legal 500 International Arbitration (2022)

Jonathan advises and represents clients as counsel in international arbitration in construction disputes and regularly co-counsels with and drafts submissions for foreign registered lawyers.

His international arbitration experience includes disputes subject to all the major institutional rules including ICC, SIAC, LCIA, DIAC, CIArb and also UNICTRAL rules. He is experienced in disputes governed by foreign common and civil law systems, including Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE law.

He is ranked in the UK and in the Asia Pacific region as a leading barrister in International Arbitration. He is also ranked internationally in Commercial (tier 1) and Construction, Energy & Infrastructure (tier 1).

-- Property Damage

“Good at offering alternative arguments to difficult issues.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Construction, Energy and Infrastructure (2019)

onathan has an active practice in complex property damage and subrogated insurance recovery claims (fire, flood and explosion, etc). His work includes disputes with associated insurance and professional liability issues. He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain complex legal and factual material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and before courts.

Jonathan acts for claiming parties and, on instructions from professional indemnity insurers, for defending parties. He is experienced in advising and presenting complex factual and technical issues on liability and damages.

Jonathan is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.

Energy and Natural Resources

“Excellent advocacy skills and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in energy and natural resources disputes. His experience covers oil and gas, geothermal, nuclear, windfarm, biomass and renewables. It includes upstream and downstream disputes, pipeline and distribution, construction and engineering projects (onshore and offshore), joint ventures, construction and project funding and associated insurance, environmental and professional liability issues. In the nuclear sector, Jonathan has particular experience in infrastructure, site and transport insurance and reinsurance and third-party liabilities.

He is experienced in dealing with disputes involving complex factual and technical issues and evidence on liability and damages. 
 

-- Nuclear Energy

In the nuclear sector, Jonathan has specific experience in infrastructure, site and transport insurance and reinsurance and third-party civil liabilities including under the Paris Convention and other international conventions.

-- Oil and Gas

In the oil and gas sector, Jonathan has specific experience in upstream and downstream disputes, pipeline and distribution, construction and engineering projects (onshore and offshore), joint ventures, construction and project funding and associated insurance, environmental and professional liability issues. He has experience in national and international disputes, in particular in the Middle East and Asia.

Sport

"Jonathan Bellamy is prominent in commercial and sport arbitration." Chambers and Partners 2023

“A first-rate football litigator and a renowned arbitrator,” The Legal 500 (2019)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory counsel practice in professional sports law with particular experience in professional football. He acts for regulatory bodies, governing bodies, players and commercial contracting parties. His work covers the full range of commercial law practice areas in the sports sector, including commercial contracts, agency, sponsorship rights, image rights, online gaming, governance, insurance, data protection and information law, service agreements, regulatory and professional liability.

Jonathan is also a busy practising Chartered Arbitrator in the professional sport sector with particular experience in professional football, rugby union, motor sports and cycling. His appointments include arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC, the Football Association (FA), the English Football League (EFL) and Sport Resolutions. 

Jonathan is Vice-Chair of the English Football Leagues's Club Financial Review Panel and a specialist legal member of the FA Judicial Panel.

-- Arbitrators (Sport)

"Jonathan Bellamy is prominent in commercial and sport arbitration." Chambers and Partners 2023

“A first-rate football litigator and a renowned arbitrator.” The Legal 500 (2019)

Jonathan is an established and busy practising chartered arbitrator in a wide variety of commercial and regulatory disputes in the professional sport sector. He has particular experience determining disputes in professional football (national and European), rugby union, motor sports and cycling. His institutional appointments include arbitrations under the auspices of the FA, the EFL and Sport Resolutions. 

He is regularly appointed by parties, including clubs, players and agents, and by specialist sport arbitral institutions, as sole, panel and chair arbitrator. Jonathan is experienced in chairing arbitral panels in this sector in commercial disputes and in disciplinary proceedings. He acts as Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) qualified mediator in this sector.

-- Commercial (Sport)

“Very strong at sports cases with a commercial and arbitration angle.” The Legal 500 (2020)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in commercial disputes in the professional sport sector, with particular experience in professional football, motor sports and horse racing. His work covers the full range of commercial law practice areas in the sports sector, including commercial contracts, agency, sponsorship rights, image rights, online gaming, governance, insurance, data protection and information law, service agreements, regulatory and professional liability.

He brings the advantage of long-standing experience in the sector as counsel and as an arbitrator and is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients.
 

-- Data Protection (Sport)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in data protection and information law in the professional sport sector. He has particular experience in professional football, rugby union, motor sports and horse racing.

His practice includes work in breach of confidence claims as well as data protection disputes under UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and EU GDPR. His data protection work includes data protection compliance issues for sports regulatory bodies and international data transfers in the professional sport sector. He is experienced in obtaining and defending urgent interim remedies and information production orders.
 

-- Regulatory (Sport)

“Jonathan is a go-to counsel for sports regulatory work; he is unparalleled in this area.” The Legal 500 (2022)

Jonathan has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in regulatory and governance disputes in the professional sport sector. He has advised and represented national and international governing bodies and higher educational institutions in the sector. Jonathan has particular experience in professional football, rugby union, motor sports and equestrianism. 

In addition to pure regulatory advice, Jonathan is regularly instructed to advise participants and governing bodies on the improvement of internal procedures and due process issues arising in internal decision making and external contracts.
 

Alternative Dispute Resolution

“A highly astute legal mind.” The Legal 500 (2021)

Jonathan has an established practice as a Chartered Arbitrator in national and international commercial, construction, insurance and professional sports disputes. His appointments include arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC. AIAC, CIArb, Sport Resolutions, the FA and EFL. He has sat in UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He is experienced in determining disputes involving complex factual and technical issues and evidence.

Jonathan has experience of determining disputes governed by other major common law systems including Singapore law and Hong Kong law and prominent civil law systems including UAE law. He practices from our offices in London and Singapore.
 

-- Arbitrators

"Jonathan Bellamy is prominent in commercial and sport arbitration." Chambers and Partners 2023

“A first-rate football litigator and a renowned arbitrator.” The Legal 500 (2019)

Jonathan has an established and busy practice as a chartered arbitrator in the professional sport sector. His experience covers a range of commercial and regulatory practice areas in the sector, including agency, commercial contracts, insurance, gaming, governance, intellectual property, information law, service agreements and disciplinary. He has experience in cross-border and offshore disputes.

Jonathan has sat in in over 40 arbitrations. He sits as sole and panel arbitrator and chairman by institutional and sports regulatory body appointment and ad hoc. 

In addition to English law, Jonathan has experience of disputes governed by numerous other common law systems and prominent civil law systems.

Recommendations

  • "Jonathan Bellamy is prominent in commercial and sport arbitration." Chambers and Partners (2023)
  • “A very experienced and skilful advocate. Knows the key issues the tribunal wishes to be addressed on. Exceptional in cross-examining expert witnesses.” The Legal 500 (2022) International Arbitration
  • “Great for difficult and complex insurance points – he is a real authority on the subject and always provides considered commercial advice. Also, a first-class advocate.” The Legal 500 (2022) Insurance and Reinsurance
  • “Jonathan is a go-to counsel for sports regulatory work; he is unparalleled in this area.” The Legal 500 (2022) Sport
  • “He has a strong following among clients based in Asia. He understands the cultural nuances of doing business in the region and works incredibly hard.” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022)
  • “Excellent advocacy skills and not afraid to tackle difficult issues.” … The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2022) Construction, Energy and Infrastructure
  • “A highly astute legal mind” The Legal 500 (2021) Insurance and Reinsurance
  • “Very experienced in construction disputes” The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2020) Construction, Energy and Infrastructure
  • “Favoured by governing bodies and others for difficult regulatory matters in sports such as football and horse racing.” Chambers (2020) Sport
  • “Very strong at sports cases with a commercial and arbitration angle” The Legal 500 (2020) Sport
  • “A first-rate football litigator and a renowned arbitrator.” The Legal 500 (2019) Sport