Nigel is global co-head of Freshfields’ international arbitration group and co-head of the Latin America group, based in Washington, DC.
Recognized as an ‘undisputed leader in his field’, Nigel has acted as counsel and arbitrator in over 100 ad hoc and institutional arbitrations conducted in English and Spanish (including over 30 investment arbitrations). He has particular expertise in Latin America and energy and mining disputes.
Nigel speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese and has law degrees from the University of Exeter (UK) and the Université d’Aix-Marseille III (France).
In addition to his recognition by Benchmark Litigation as a “Litigation Star” for International Arbitration, Nigel is ranked Band 1 by Chambers for International Arbitration, and is listed in the “Hall of Fame” by The Legal 500 for International Arbitration.
Nigel’s recent representations include:
- Repsol in its ICSID arbitration against Argentina for expropriation of its controlling share in YPF and subsequent $5 billion settlement.
- BG Group in its arbitration victory against Argentina in the first investment arbitration to be reviewed by the US Supreme Court.
- Phillips 66 in its victory against PDVSA in an ICC arbitration concerning the control of a heavy oil refinery in Texas.
- Crystallex mining corporation in its $1.4 billion award against Venezuela for the expropriation of one of the world’s largest gold mines.
- Pan American Energy in its ICSID claim for the expropriation of the second largest upstream oil company in Bolivia and the subsequent (largest) settlement agreed by Bolivia.
- CMS, Total, Suez, Aguas de Barcelona and National Grid, among others, in their victories against Argentina arising out of the crisis measures.
Updated Sep 2024
