Nicholas Peacock

Practice Areas

Nick is an experienced English law qualified solicitor-advocate specialising in international arbitration. His practice combines advisory work, acting as advocate/counsel, and sitting as arbitrator.

Nick is based in London, having previously also been based in Singapore. He has 25 years’ experience advising and acting for parties including 16 years as a partner of international law firms Herbert Smith Freehills (London and Singapore) and Bird & Bird (London).

Nick advises and acts on both commercial and investment arbitration across a range of industry sectors including in particular energy and power, infrastructure, technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, transport and leisure, and aviation.

Nick has appeared as counsel (advocate) before arbitral tribunals seated in multiple jurisdictions worldwide.

Nick sits as arbitrator both sole or as part of a 3-person tribunal. He has sat as arbitrator under various institutional rules (ICC, SIAC, and LCIA) and ad hoc (including under UNCITRAL rules). He has also acted as an English law expert for foreign court proceedings to enforce arbitration awards and in expert determination.

Nick is a writer and commentator on a variety of dispute resolution topics, in particular in the areas of commercial and investment arbitration, and choice of law and forum in cross-border transactions. He is a member of the ICC UK Arbitration and ADR Committee, a Users’ Council member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and the London Court of International Arbitration, and a Council member for the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration, amongst other roles.

Career

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP (previously Herbert Smith)

2007 - 2021 | Partner, Litigation & Arbitration

2012 - 2021 | Head of India Disputes practice

2009 - 2012 | Head of Singapore International Arbitration practice

1999 - 2007 | Associate (Litigation & Arbitration)

1997 - 1999 | Trainee solicitor

Bird & Bird LLP

2021 - 2024 | Partner & Head of London Arbitration practice

2022 - 2024 | Co-Head India Group

Professional Memberships

Law Society of England & Wales

International Bar Association (IBA)

Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UK Arbitration and ADR Committee

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Commission on Arbitration and ADR

London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Users' Council

Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Users' Council

Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA), Council Member

Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)

Education