Profile details
About Nigel Blackaby KC
Nigel is based in Washington, DC and is co-head of our Latin America Practice.
Recognised 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.
Recent work
- Representing Repsol in its ICSID arbitration against Argentina for expropriation of its controlling share in YPF and subsequent $5bn settlement.
- Representing BG Group in its arbitration victory against Argentina in the first investment arbitration to be reviewed by the US Supreme Court.
- Representing Phillips 66 in its victory against PDVSA in an ICC arbitration concerning the control of a heavy oil refinery in Texas.
- Representing Crystallex mining corporation in its $1.4bn award against Venezuela for the expropriation of one of the world’s largest gold mines.
- Representing 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.
- Representing CMS, Total, Suez, Aguas de Barcelona and National Grid (among others) in their victories against Argentina arising out of the crisis measures. Read about the Suez-Aguas de Barcelona arbitration in our case study.
Qualifications
Education
- University of Exeter, UK (law)
- Université d’Aix-Marseille III, France (law)
Professional
• King’s Counsel
• Solicitor advocate, England and Wales
• Special legal consultant of the District of Columbia Bar
• Adjunct professor of international law, American University, Washington, DC
• Court Member of the Singapore International Arbitration Center
• Former president, IBA Subcommittee on Investment Arbitration
• Member of the List of Arbitrators of the AAA (ICDR), Santiago Chamber of Commerce, Lima Chamber of Commerce and FIESP (Brazil)