Chris Goodwin

Chris specialises in commercial disputes, and has built a strong reputation for delivering results-driven advice to businesses and individuals on matters including contract disputes, company and partnership disputes, and intellectual property matters.

Chris regularly conducts litigation in the County Court and the High Court, including claims for declaratory relief, interim injunctions, and substantial financial losses/damages. Chris’ work often involves an international element, and he has experience in international arbitration and litigation engaging significant foreign law issues.

Within his broad commercial dispute practice, Chris has particular experience in sports litigation having acted for clubs, teams and drivers in a number of motorsport-related disputes. Chris also advises clients in relation to construction disputes and has experience bringing and defending adjudications as well as enforcement proceedings in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). Chris is often instructed in relation to opposition proceedings before the Intellectual Property Office’s tribunal section.

Outside of the office, Chris enjoys walking his golden retriever, Sandy, and roast dinners. Chris’s sporting interests include cricket, football, and Formula 1. Chris is a Norwich City season ticket holder.

• ICC arbitration – successfully represented UK inventor/licensor in dispute with US  licensee in respect of breach/termination of a long-term technology licence for the US, Canada and Mexico, patent and trade mark infringement in the US, claims for injunctions and damages exceeding US $100m, including punitive damages under US law.
• The Burke Partnership (a firm) v The Body Shop International Limited [2023]. Acted for the successful claimant (a local family-run business involved in the operation of Body Shop stores across the region) in a claim for declarative relief to prevent a wrongful termination by the multinational Defendant franchisor. Read more here
• Acted for a supplier of medical equipment in a High Court claim relating to COVID supply chain issues.
• Hitech Grand Prix Limited v Enaam Ahmed [2021]. Acted for the successful Claimant (a prominent motorsport team) against a former driver in relation to unpaid fees and crash damage costs. Read more here.
• Acted for a European law firm defending a professional negligence claim in the High Court, including issues surrounding scope of retainer, obligations owed by the firm to its regulator and conflict of laws.
• Obtained payment for a contractor in a smash and grab adjudication relating to construction works at a luxury London property. Represented the contractor in enforcement proceedings, including advocacy in chambers before a circuit judge in the TCC, obtaining summary determination of costs on the indemnity basis.
• Acted for various franchisors in relation to breach and termination of franchise agreements and resultant litigation.
• Resolved various disputes surrounding informal loan agreements, obtaining payment and/or favourable settlements for debtors and creditors.
• Acted for a creditor in relation to a statutory demand and subsequent bankruptcy petition where the debtor’s Centre of Main Interest (or COMI) was in the London Insolvency District, but they spent long periods of the year overseas. Addressed various objections from the debtor, including jurisdictional complaints, and successfully petitioned for the debtor’s bankruptcy.
• Advised a construction company in relation to a successful application for an injunction to restrain presentation of a winding up petition on the basis that the debt was genuinely disputed on substantial grounds.

• Graduated from the University of East Anglia with a first-class law degree in 2015
• Completed his Legal Practice Course with distinction at BPP in Cambridge in 2016
• Joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2016
• Qualified as a Solicitor in September 2018
• Promoted to Associate in May 2022 and Senior Associate in May 2024