Nikki Singla

Practice Overview

Nikki is recognised in the directories as a leading junior in commercial and chancery litigation.

He is recommended as a leading junior in four practice areas in the Legal 500: commercial litigation, company litigation, media/entertainment and sport and professional negligence. He is recommended as a leading junior for his commercial chancery work in Chambers and Partners. He is described as "without doubt one of the brightest juniors", a "skilful, strategic advocate" with the ability to "cut through the complexities to the core issues".  Previous directories and publications have remarked that he is "knowledgeable and user friendly", a "rising star" and "an able communicator and litigator for any size of case".'

His practice includes commercial and trusts litigation and arbitration in the UK and internationally (particularly in the Cayman Islands and the Channel Islands). His expertise covers a wide range of commercial and business disputes particularly in the fields of complex contracts, intellectual property licensing agreements, trusts, hedge funds, companies and partnerships, and professional negligence.

His company and commercial cases include: Ackerman v Ackerman [2011] EWHC 3428 (Ch) (trial of a large complex shareholders' dispute/challenge of an expert's determination); Reeves v Sprecher [2008] All ER(D) 311 (company/partnership dispute over a large hedge-fund established in Nevis); Kingfisher Airlines v Hawker [2010] (Commercial Court dispute relating to Vijay Mallya's jet); Jenington v Assaubayev [2010] (£200 million civil fraud dispute concerning gold mines in Kazakhstan, worldwide freezing and proprietary injunctions and disclosure orders), Trinidad & Tobago Trust Corporation [2011] (large civil fraud/constructive trust/knowing assistance dispute in US and Turks & Caicos concerning a Mandarin Hotel development); British Midland Tool v Midland International Tooling [2003] 2 BCLC 523 (leading case on the extent of directors' duty not to compete, conspiracy and breach of confidence); Bouverie v De Vere Hotels [2006] EWHC 2242 (complex intellectual property licensing dispute between the owners and the operators over the management of the Belfrey Hotel).

His trusts cases include: re the Humberstone Trust (Jersey) [2011] (£20 million breach of trust proceedings against former trustees and directors); re a Trust (Guernsey) ([2010] (very substantial breach of trust proceedings against former trustee company in respect of investment policy); Re a firm of solicitors [2011] (breach of trust/fraud proceedings against a firm of solicitors for conduct in relation to a very substantial estate, Beddoe relief).

His media and sports cases include: Leeds United FC v Football League [2008] BCC 701 (high profile arbitration of dispute over 15-point penalty imposed on club); Football Association v Luton Town FC [2008] (disciplinary proceedings by the FA against club and former directors); Gabbitas Robins v Kordowski [2011] EWHC 981 (successful defamation claim against owner of website "Solicitors from Hell", which led to an interview feature of Nikki by The Times Online).

He is an experienced advocate and has appeared in a number of reported cases in the High Court and in other jurisdictions and before arbitrators. He has also worked as part of large litigation teams with silks. He is a team-player and enjoys working closely with his solicitors. He is committed to finding his clients creative solutions to complex problems and providing thorough legal and commercial advice. He is popular with his clients because he is always prepared to go the extra mile to achieve success for them.

Professional Reputation

The Legal 500 recommends Nikki for his work in several areas of his practice:

Commercial litigation

His clients say that he "provides sound and considered advice at speed".

Company litigation

He is described by his clients as a "smart junior".

Professional negligence

"Nikki Singla is, without doubt one of the brightest juniors".

Media, entertainment and sport litigation

"Recommended is the bright and engaging Nikki Singla".

Qualifications

Nikki was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford (Jurisprudence BA Hons, First Class, BCL, First Class).

He was awarded the Queen Mother's Scholarship, the Harmsworth Entrance Exhibition and the Lechmere Essay Prize by the Middle Temple.

Former Tutor in contract and trust law at Oxford University.

Memberships

• Commercial Bar Association 
• International Bar Association
• Chancery Bar Association
• Professional Negligence Bar Association