Bird & Bird’s Former London Arbitration Head Nick Peacock Establishes Solo Practice: Peacock Arbitration

Bird & Bird’s Former London Arbitration Head Nick Peacock Establishes Solo Practice: Peacock Arbitration

The former head of Bird & Bird’s London international arbitration group, Nick Peacock, has established his solo practice, Peacock Arbitration.

Peacock, renowned for his robust India practice, departed Bird & Bird last month following a three-year tenure at the firm. He previously spent over 24 years at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) before joining Bird & Bird.

His new venture enables Peacock to concentrate on serving as an arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations involving Indian entities, operating in a conflict-free environment. This move comes at a time of burgeoning interest in the Indian Market.

Peacock's decision mirrors that of his close contemporary in Indian dispute resolution, Sherina Petit, who transitioned from Norton Rose Fulbright to disputes boutique Stewarts in November 2023.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Peacock stated: “I am excited to be truly independent and conflict-free for the first time in my career. I expect the change to be transformational in my ability to take on arbitrator appointments to help parties resolve their disputes. I also look forward to focusing on advocacy as co-counsel or adviser to parties who want English law expertise or strategic help handling arbitrations in London, Singapore or elsewhere.”

With expertise spanning various sectors like technology, pharmaceuticals, energy, media, and financial services, Peacock's London base complements his Asian network. He will be participating as a speaker at London International Disputes Week, supporting a session jointly organized by HSF and the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA) on Thursday (6 June).

Peacock's transition to solo practice marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career spanning over 25 years with two prominent London-based law firms. During his tenure at HSF, he collaborated with eminent figures, including Laurence Shore and Paula Hodges KC.

Peacock's distinguished reputation in India-related matters is underscored by his representation of prominent companies such as Tata Sons, Bharti Airtel, Vedanta, and Reliance Group. He holds notable positions, including serving on the users’ council for both the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Additionally, he is a member of the UK committee of ICC Arbitration and a board member at the International Disputes Resolution Centre.

Peacock has been actively involved in the development of MCIA and played a pivotal role in its events. He welcomed the formation of the Arbitration Bar of India, emphasizing its significance in fostering excellence, ethics, and diversity in arbitration practice in India—a move endorsed by senior Indian government ministers.