Nicola Phillips

Partner

Overview

Nicola Phillips guides her clients in all areas of commercial litigation. From providing crisis management and legal advice to clients facing cyberattacks to pursuing injunctive relief for victims of fraud, Nicola’s practice has a strong focus on urgent and critical support.

Nicola has a diverse practice, advising on all aspects of civil litigation, and vast experience with high court litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution. She manages large compliance investigations and has experience acting for both regulators and large financial institutions responding to governmental enforcement enquiries. Nicola also has significant experience with large, complex civil frauds and regularly obtains injunctive relief to assist with asset preservation. Her other practice areas include asset-based lending, trade finance, infrastructure, energy, insurance, and employment-related disputes.

Career & Education

    • University of Kent, LL.B., Honors, 2000
    • University of Warwick, LL.M., 2002
    • College of Law, London, LPC, 2003
    • University of Kent, LL.B., Honors, 2000
    • University of Warwick, LL.M., 2002
    • College of Law, London, LPC, 2003
    • England and Wales
    • England and Wales

Nicola's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.09.25

UK Strategic Defence Review 2025: Implications for Defence Contractors

The UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR)[1] marks a significant shift in national defence policy, emphasising enhanced military readiness and domestic industrial growth. This comprehensive plan is poised to reshape the landscape for defence contractors across the country. This follows the enactment of the UK’s new Procurement Act 2023, which took effect on 24 February 2025, also impacting defence contractors. More information on this can be found in our alert: What Defence Contractors Need To Know About the New UK Procurement Act....

Representative Matters

  • Led an aviation client’s multibillion-pound high court contractual damages claim on an expedited timetable, successfully pursuing numerous interim applications; preparing pleadings, witness evidence, and expert evidence; and guiding the client on strategy and commercial settlement.
  • Advised a global payroll services provider following a cyberattack that disabled its systems, resulting in potential disruption to its payroll services. Nicola managed the Information Commissioner’s Office’s report and investigation, assisted the client with resuming business operations, and dealt with contractual claims both for and against the client.
  • Successfully pursued a manufacturer for the premature failure of parts supplied in a claim for breach of contract, obtaining a finding fully in our client’s favor and awarding our client all of the £11,243,026 claimed plus an indemnity for future losses.
  • Pursuing cross-border constructive trust and unjust enrichment claims for a finance client in respect of a series of frauds perpetrated against it to the value of $20 million. 
  • Securing funds in excess of $26 million by way of third-party debt orders to enforce an international arbitration award against a nation-state. This followed after having won on the merits in this international commercial arbitration on a breach of contract claim.

Nicola's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.09.25

UK Strategic Defence Review 2025: Implications for Defence Contractors

The UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR)[1] marks a significant shift in national defence policy, emphasising enhanced military readiness and domestic industrial growth. This comprehensive plan is poised to reshape the landscape for defence contractors across the country. This follows the enactment of the UK’s new Procurement Act 2023, which took effect on 24 February 2025, also impacting defence contractors. More information on this can be found in our alert: What Defence Contractors Need To Know About the New UK Procurement Act....

Nicola's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.09.25

UK Strategic Defence Review 2025: Implications for Defence Contractors

The UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR)[1] marks a significant shift in national defence policy, emphasising enhanced military readiness and domestic industrial growth. This comprehensive plan is poised to reshape the landscape for defence contractors across the country. This follows the enactment of the UK’s new Procurement Act 2023, which took effect on 24 February 2025, also impacting defence contractors. More information on this can be found in our alert: What Defence Contractors Need To Know About the New UK Procurement Act....