Position

Nick’s practice is divided equally between international commercial arbitration and disputes heard in the English courts. Over the years, Nick has acted in some of largest-scale international commercial disputes, frequently within the energy or financial sectors, and often involving allegations of fraud or other wrongdoing.

Nick’s recent work has included the following:

SIAC arbitration (Singapore seat): acting (with Laurence Rabinowitz QC) in a US$5.5bn SPA dispute in the oil&gas sector, being heard in Singapore under the rules of SIAC. The trial took place over some 35 days in 2018; The VW Emissions group litigation: defending the VW group (with Charles Gibson QC, Prashant Popat QC and others) in the largest ever English Group Litigation Order; ICC arbitration (Geneva seat): acting (with John McCaughran QC) in a multibillion US$ gas supply dispute between national electricity/gas companies heard at the ICC in Paris. Successfully obtained an approx US$1.7 billion award (subsequently upheld before Geneva courts); Dar Al Arkan v Al Refai: acting (with Craig Orr QC) in a fraud dispute relating to Islamic bonds/banking practice, one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 High Court trials of both 2015 and 2014; Bilta v Deutsche Bank: acting (with Daniel Toledano QC) for Deutsche Bank in relation to alleged carbon trading fraud; and A corporate investigation at a FTSE 100 plc.

Education

St Anne’s College, Oxford (2005 BA Hons, History, First Class); City University (GDL); Inns of Court School of Law (BVC).

Mentions

London Bar

Commercial litigation

UNKNOWN1

Nicholas Sloboda KC –One Essex Court ‘Inspires confidence with his attention to detail and retention of the facts and progress of the case. He is very responsive, engaging, and practically minded.'

London Bar

Energy

UNKNOWN1

Nicholas Sloboda KC –One Essex Court ‘An extremely clever junior, who is good on his feet, very practical, and astute without being too pushy.’

London Bar

Fraud: civil

UNKNOWN1

Nicholas Sloboda KC – One Essex Court ‘An excellent senior junior, and no doubt future commercial silk. He is extremely analytical but combines that with a real command of the bigger, wider picture.’ 

London Bar

International arbitration: counsel

UNKNOWN1

Nicholas Sloboda KC –One Essex Court ‘Nick is very in demand: a robust and assured advocate. His mastery of detail is most impressive and he takes on advocacy roles even in teams where he is led.'