LAWYER PROFILE
Nigel Blackaby KC

Nigel Blackaby KC

Global 2026

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Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by Freshfields US LLP

Practice Areas

International Arbitration; Investor-State Arbitration; Energy; Natural Resources; Manufacturing; Agriculture and Food Distribution; Aviation; Telecommunications.

Career

Nigel Blackaby KC is a Washington, DC based international arbitration partner and is Co-head of the firm's Latin America group. Cited by clients as an “undisputed leader in his field”, Nigel is a civil and common law trained lawyer who has acted as counsel and arbitrator in more than 100 ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, both commercial and investor-state in English, Spanish and French with a focus on natural resources and Latin America.

Nigel is widely recognized as a leading authority in international arbitration. He is recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leaders by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal). In January 2020, Nigel was honored with the appointment of King’s Counsel, for his excellence in advocacy (only one of a handful of English solicitor advocates to receive that distinction).

Nigel speaks English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

For more information, visit https://www.freshfields.us/contacts/find-a-lawyer/b/blackaby-nigel/

Professional Memberships

Member of the Court of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre; Board member of the Centro de Arbitraje de Mexico and of the international commission of the Centro Internacional de Arbitraje de Madrid.

Publications

Nigel is the co-author of the leading texts "Redfern and Hunter on International Arbitration" (fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh editions, Oxford University Press), "A Guide to ICSID Arbitration" (first and second editions, Kluwer), and "International Arbitration in Latin America" (Kluwer).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Arbitration (International) - Latin America - International Counsel

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Distinguished practitioner Nigel Blackaby is held in high esteem by clients and peers alike. He is noted for his undisputed experience handling some of the most high-profile and sophisticated commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases throughout Latin America.

International Arbitration: Counsel - USA

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Nigel Blackaby KC offers a wealth of experience acting for both investors and states and is particularly esteemed for his expertise in Latin America matters.

Arbitration (International) - Global Market Leaders

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Nigel Blackaby KC is based in Washington, DC and has an esteemed reputation in the international arbitration field. He co-heads the firm's Latin America practice, and is noted for experience handling investor-state and commercial mandates. Clients typically include sovereign states and high profile MNCs.

International Arbitration - Brazil

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Nigel Blackaby KC co-heads Freshfields' arbitration and Latin American practices. His dedication to Brazil-related disputes and his fluency in Portuguese are highly admired by market sources.

International Arbitration - USA

Foreign Expert
Foreign expert in Latin America-wide

Individual Editorial
Nigel Blackaby KC offers a wealth of experience acting for both investors and states and is particularly esteemed for his expertise in Latin America matters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Nigel Blackaby impresses with his work, arguments and knowledge of arbitrations.

    Arbitration (International)Chambers Global Guide
  • Nigel Blackaby has vast experience and intelligence. He uses his strategic vision of cases and his leadership skills to bring out the best in his team for the benefit of the client.

    Arbitration (International)Chambers Global Guide
  • Nigel is top of the class: he is a dynamo, the best you can have. He brings sophistication to our matters and he is able to threat the needle.

    International Arbitration: CounselChambers Global Guide
  • Nigel is one of the best attorneys we have ever worked with.

    International Arbitration: CounselChambers Global Guide
  • He is the go-to lawyer when it comes to international arbitration.

    Arbitration (International)Chambers Global Guide
  • Nigel Blackaby is a global practitioner who is active in international arbitration cases in Brazil.

    International ArbitrationChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Freshfields US LLP (268)

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