Jonathan has a versatile practice across a range of Chambers’ areas of expertise, with a focus on public international law, international arbitration and commercial law. He is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of C Counsel for Public International Law.
Since joining the Bar, Jonathan has:
Recommendations:
Jonathan is a Visiting Lecturer in public international law at King’s College London and a Senior Legal Adviser with the Public International Law & Policy Group in Washington DC.
Click here for a Privacy Policy for Jonathan Worboys.
Jonathan represents clients in a variety of commercial disputes, ranging from the sale and supply of goods and services, to shareholder disputes, product liability, group actions, environmental harm and personal injury. His work often focuses on cases with an international dimension and he frequently acts as counsel in cases raising questions of jurisdiction and / or applicable law. This includes jurisdiction challenges. Since joining the Bar, Jonathan has worked on cases with Cypriot, Cayman, German, Greek, Falkland Islands, Iraqi, Korean, Kuwaiti and Mauritian governing law.
Featured Commercial Law cases
Jonathan acts as counsel and adviser for commercial parties, private individuals and States in commercial and investment arbitrations under the LCIA, ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL and AAA rules. He also acts in arbitration related court proceedings before the English courts, including enforcement matters.
Featured International Arbitration cases
“Jonathan is an excellent technical lawyer, precise and thoughtful. His extremely easy manner is appreciated by clients and lawyers alike.” – Legal 500, 2023
Jonathan is a leading expert in international criminal law. He acts for States, individuals, victims and NGOs in international criminal law cases and investigations concerning genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. He also acts as counsel or legal adviser in cases concerning the structure and establishment of transitional justice accountability mechanisms, and in claims concerning arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances or torture, in particular cases before UN Special Procedures. He is experienced acting in cases before the International Criminal Court and ad hoc tribunals.
Featured International Criminal Law cases
Jonathan is a specialist in international human rights law and UN engagement. He has extensive experience in cases before UN Special Procedures (such as the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteurs, UN Reprisals mechanisms), as well as working on Human Rights Council matters, including the Universal Periodic Review. He is further experienced in cases of business and human rights.
Featured International Human Rights cases
“Jonathan’s advice is always accurate and takes into account the bigger picture of an issue.” – Legal 500, 2023
“Though light-hearted in manner, Jonathan is deeply serious about his work. A wise head on rather young shoulders.”– Legal 500, 2022
“Commended by Silks for the way he sparks off ideas.” Legal 500, 2021
Featured International Trade & European Law cases
Jonathan is a leading expert on EU withdrawal and international trade. Between 2017-2021, Jonathan worked as an Assistant Legal Adviser at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on legal issues relating to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. As part of this work, Jonathan acted for the UK or advised Government departments on all manner of issues ranging from UK-third country treaty negotiations to advising on fisheries and the post-EU jurisdictional regime.
Further examples of current and recent work include:
“Jonathan has an in-depth knowledge of international law. He is very creative in terms of constructing legal arguments. He is well liked by clients and teams alike. He is a persuasive and charming advocate.” – Legal 500, 2023
“When it comes to complex inter-state disputes, he has an eye for strategy and is always thinking two steps ahead.” – Legal 500, 2022
Jonathan has a substantial public international law practice spanning all areas of public international law (law of the sea; the law of treaties; immunities; State responsibility; international criminal law; international environmental law; international organizations etc.). He is particularly experienced in high-stakes international negotiations and often works with clients on an ongoing and long-term basis to find solutions to complex legal and policy issues. Jonathan accepts instructions as a mediator.
Jonathan has more than six years of experience working for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as an Assistant Legal Adviser on issues relating to the law of treaties, EU withdrawal, overseas territories and law of the sea.
For further details of Jonathan’s international human rights and international trade and EU law experience, please see the tabs above.
Featured Public International Law cases
International Court of Justice:
International Criminal Court:
Kosovo Specialist Chambers:
Investment arbitration:
European Court of Human Rights:
International law in the English courts:
International negotiations, mediations and significant advisory work:
UK Parliamentary Inquiries:
UN Human Rights and / or Special Procedures:
We are delighted to announce that 4 New Square Chambers has been…
We are delighted to announce that Jonathan Worboys has been appointed to…
We are delighted that members of 4 New Square Chambers will be…
Legal 500“When it comes to complex inter-state disputes, he has an eye for strategy and is always thinking two steps ahead.”
legal 500“Jonathan’s advice is always accurate and takes into account the bigger picture of an issue.”
legal 500“Jonathan is an excellent technical lawyer, precise and thoughtful. His extremely easy manner is appreciated by clients and lawyers alike.”
legal 500“Jonathan has an in-depth knowledge of international law. He is very creative in terms of constructing legal arguments. He is well liked by clients and teams alike. He is a persuasive and charming advocate.”
Legal 500“Though light-hearted in manner, Jonathan is deeply serious about his work. A wise head on rather young shoulders.”
Legal 500“Commended by silks for the way he sparks off ideas.”
Education
Book Chapters
Law Journal
Policy Articles and Op-Eds
Invited Lectures and Other Speaking Engagements
4 New Square
Lincoln's Inn
London, WC2A 3RJ
BARRISTERS REGULATED BY
THE BAR STANDARDS BOARD
Accessibility | Cookies | Disclaimer | Equality & Diversity | Privacy Policy | © 4 New Square Chambers – All Rights Reserved | Site by Tela.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement | 1 year | Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
CookieLawInfoConsent | 1 year | Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
wp_law_pdfbuilder_bespoke | 1 Year | Used for the portfolio builder |
wp_law_pdfbuilder_list | 1 Year | Used for the portfolio builder |
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
_ga | 2 years | The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. |
_ga_DJZVZPQ3PF | 2 years | This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. |
_gat_gtag_UA_196640177_1 | 1 minute | Set by Google to distinguish users. |
_gid | 1 day | Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. |
Select the expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio
Title | Type | CV |
---|
Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)
Need more information about the above People and Expertise?
Talk to one of our clerks: +44 (0)20 7822 2000