Jonathan advises public authorities on all aspects of public law. He works extensively with central government, including the Government Legal Department (GLD), providing strategic advice on high-profile policy decisions and defending key decisions under legal scrutiny.
Jonathan is experienced in managing complex public law disputes, including judicial review and procurement litigation, and has been involved in some of the most significant public law cases of recent years, such as the rail franchising litigation.
He is also a highly regarded public inquiry lawyer, having acted for core participants in some of the most prominent public inquiries of the past decade. He has supported government departments and public bodies in these contexts, advising on the legal, procedural, and reputational aspects of their involvement.
In addition to his public sector work, Jonathan advises corporate clients in regulated industries, particularly transport and defence, on commercial public law issues.
Jonathan brings a practical, strategic approach to complex regulatory and legal challenges, which has earned him a reputation for clear, practical advice.
He is recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers as a leading public law expert.
Jonathan Blunden stands out as a star individual. He dealt with many of the major Covid-19 judicial reviews for government. He is exceptional – highly intellectual whilst also very good at client care.”
Jonathan is a complete joy to work with because he is bright, incredibly diligent, highly responsive and goes the extra mile as a solicitor.
He has an in-depth knowledge of the law, as well as the inner workings of government.”
George McLellan and Jonathan Blunden are now two key partners. As a team, their experience across the range of commercial judicial review is second to none. Sharpe Pritchard are lining up for very big things indeed in the public law space. They are superb strategists and are now the natural choice for major industry players looking to challenge government.
Jonathan Blunden of Sharpe Pritchard advises both public and private sector clients on public law matters, including judicial reviews, legislative drafting, statutory appeals and decision-making, among others.
Chambers 2025
Jonathan’s primary clients are public sector bodies and corporates operating in regulated industries. His recent experience includes:
17 October 2025
Over 36 years since the Hillsborough disaster, which led to the 2017 report of Bishop James Jones on lessons learnt, the Government has introduced its ‘Hillsborough’ Bill. Promised within the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto, it has been created to ensure that victims of state injustices have a greater voice. But is it any more than…
Read more24 September 2025
The Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide (“ACO Guide”) has recently been updated to reflect legislative and practice changes, affecting the Administrative Court over the past year. The ACO Guide sets out each stage of the judicial review claim process and is an essential resource for anyone involved in proceedings before the Administrative Court. What’s new…
Read more28 July 2025
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has issued an important judgment under the Subsidy Control Act 2022, rejecting a challenge to two development loans made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to local developer Renaker. The decision is the first to interpret the commercial market operator (CMO) principle under the Act, providing key direction for…
Read more11 March 2025
The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgment in R (British Gas Trading and E.ON) v Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This judgment follows the Divisional Court’s earlier refusal to grant British Gas and E.ON permission to judicially review decisions made by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and…
Read more
