Nigel Blackaby KC

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

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.

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Arbitration (International) - Global Market Leaders

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Nigel Blackaby KC, based in Washington, DC, is a highly esteemed figure who operates a broad practice in the international arbitration space. As Co-Head of Freshfields' Latin America Practice, Nigel is widely recognised for his ability to handle complex investor-state and commercial mandates across a plethora of industries before major arbitral tribunals. He counts sovereign states and high-profile MNCs among his clientele.

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International Arbitration: Counsel - USA

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.

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International Arbitration - Brazil

Band 2

Individual Editorial

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

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International Arbitration - USA

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.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Nigel Blackaby is the best of the best when it comes to ICSID cases, especially against Latin American countries. He's brilliant from a legal standpoint and very down-to-earth.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Nigel Blackaby is a very smooth operator who doesn't get ruffled. He is very good at questioning witnesses, including those of the counterparty. He's intelligent and multilingual.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Nigel is a joy to work with. He's an expert on anything related to international treaty arbitrations. He's definitely someone that you want in your contact list.

Arbitration (International) respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"Nigel is the first person I would refer anything to."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"Nigel is one of the leading lights of international arbitration, particularly in US and Latin American work."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"His reputation precedes him, Nigel is an incredible lead-counsel and an awesome leader. He is capable of solving the most complicated matters to the benefit of his clients."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

"Nigel is a dynamo, he did a phenomenal job from discovery to cross-examination and briefing."

International Arbitration: Counsel respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Nigel speaks many languages, including Portuguese. He is a pleasant lawyer and super focused on Brazil.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Nigel is an extraordinary senior lawyer and a star litigator.

International Arbitration respondent
Chambers Global Guide

Nigel is a super well-known lawyer who has a very successful career.