Nick Henchie
Nick is a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 UK 2024 Construction rankings and is ranked in Band 1 for International Arbitration, Construction, in Chambers 2024. He has been described by Chambers UK as “one of the most important construction lawyers in the world” and “a truly exceptional and very determined lawyer” who “you underestimate at your peril”. Nick has also previously been described in Chambers as “widely regarded as a market leader in international construction arbitration”, a “construction law heavyweight”, and a “brilliant strategist”.
Nick has a wide range of experience, focusing on international arbitration and dispute resolution of construction and engineering disputes all over the world, as well as drafting construction contracts and procurement strategy development, and all aspects of construction insurance.
In recent years, Nick has increasingly advised clients regarding the engineering aspects of major energy projects, particularly offshore works and vessels. He is particularly well known for his lead role in a number of high profile ICC arbitrations concerning major international construction projects.
Nick’s experience covers projects, international disputes, and arbitrations in the UK, Turkey, Singapore, Hong Kong, St. Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Jordan, India, Egypt, Algeria, Gambia, Angola, Venezuela, Chile, Dominican Republic, Panama, Qatar, UAE, Caspian Sea, and other European countries.
A leading authority on the FIDIC and LOGIC/CRINE forms of contract, and EPC and EPCM contracting, Nick advises regularly on highly complex disputes involving detailed technical construction and engineering issues (defective works, delay and cumulative impact claims, errors in FEED and basic engineering, claims for loss and expense, disruption, force majeure, termination, etc.), related to many types of engineering and construction projects.
Nick has represented a wide variety of clients in very significant international arbitrations and numerous pieces of litigation in the Technology and Construction Court, as well as before high-profile Dispute Adjudication Boards and a substantial number of domestic adjudications.
Nick serves as Managing Partner of the London office and as a member of the firm’s Management Committee.
Experience Highlights
2007 to date, acting on a number of ICC arbitrations in connection with the design and construction of a major maritime project in Central America
Represented an international developer of power and water projects in complex and high-value ICC international arbitration proceedings concerning a Central American hydro electric power project
Representing an international EPC contractor and specialist waste-to-energy plant provider in major disputes concerning the design of a waste-to-energy plant in the UK
Advising General Electric on various international construction contracts with governments, EPC contractors, and IPPs around the world for supply of gas turbines and construction of power stations; negotiated power contracts in Israel, Italy, and Spain
Represented an international developer of power and water projects in complex and high-value ICC international arbitration proceedings concerning a Central American hydro electric power project
Represented INEOS Chlor in High Court proceedings in the U.K. against Alstom Power Limited concerning major disputes over a boiler plant
Successfully represented a major energy company in complex and high-value ICC arbitration proceedings concerning the Dolphin project in the Middle East; dispute concerned responsibility for delays and cost overruns, and a disputed termination of a major pipe coating contract
Representing a specialist contractor in ICC arbitration proceedings concerning termination and costs claims for a major development project in Saudi Arabia
Representing a major offshore oil and gas contractor in LCIA arbitration proceedings concerning a project in Kazakhstan
Advising a major offshore oil and gas contractor on disputes concerning a defective gas pipeline in West Africa
Representing a major international offshore EPC contractor in relation to warranty claims concerning the construction of various well head towers and umbilicals offshore West Africa
Representing a major offshore EPC contractor in disputes arising out of major off shore project in Venezuela
Representing an employer (Union Railways) in disputes, and serial adjudications and arbitration, arising out of one of Europe’s largest major infrastructure projects, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project
Representing a major Turkish conglomerate in ICC arbitration proceedings arising out of the disputed termination of one of the EPC contracts relating to the Marmaray Project in Istanbul (FIDIC Silver Book based)
Advising a major international contractor on large disputes arising out of the design and construction of a major EU-funded road project in West Africa
Advising a major international EPC contractor on a new tram project in West Africa, and on all aspects of the EPC agreement and procurement
Represented a Jordanian company engaged in multimillion dollar ICC arbitration proceedings against an EPC contractor, engaged on FIDIC’s Orange Book to design and build a magnesium oxide plant on the banks of the Dead Sea; successfully defeated in its entirety the contractor’s loss and expense, and extension of time, claim in excess of $100 million; dispute concerned responsibility for errors in FEED
Represented a major U.S. international contractor in very substantial claims in UNCITRAL arbitration arising out of a process plant project at Ras Laffan, Qatar
Advised the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on various major oil shale concessions in the Kingdom
Advising a stock-listed mining company on construction (EPC/EPCM) aspects of the expansion of a major gold mine in Venezuela
Advising a major U.S. contractor on disputes and possible UNCITRAL arbitration proceedings arising out of a bauxite mine in Jamaica
Advising a Jordanian company on disputes arising out of an agency agreement for the supply of magnesium oxide
Representing a Jordanian company in major ICC arbitration proceedings concerning the design and construction of a magnesium oxide plant
Representing a major international power generation company in ICC arbitration proceedings against insurers, relating to damage to property claims concerning an infrastructure project in Latin America
Acting for a major energy company in claims against the EPC contractor, and under its business interruption and all risks insurance policies, in relation to complex engineering and performance-related issues, including major damage to the RO membranes, concerning a major desalination plant in Africa
Representing a major oil company in a dispute concerning the application of builders all risk insurance for alleged damage to property with regard to a major offshore project in the Middle East
Advising a UK contractor in relation to claims under its all risks insurance policies in relation to major water damage to the works at a prestigious new London development
Credentials
- The College of Law, Guildford, England, 1992
- University College London, LL.B. (Honours), 1991
- Prior to joining Vinson & Elkins’ London office in 2011, Nick was a partner at another major law firm.
- Who’s Who Legal, “Global Elite Thought Leader,” 2023
- Latin Lawyer 250, 2020
- Chambers UK, Construction–International Arbitration (UK–wide), 2016−2025
- Legal 500 UK, Real Estate: Construction, 2012, 2015−2018, 2020–2023, and 2025; “Leading Individual” in Real Estate: Construction, 2021–2024; Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration, 2015−2017, 2020–2025
- Who’s Who Legal (Law Business Research Ltd.); Construction, 2013−2020; Construction, “Global Elite Thought Leader,” 2023; Arbitration, 2024; Construction, “Global Elite Thought Leader,” 2024
- Selected to the London Super Lawyers list, London Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2015
- Legal 500, U.S., Real Estate: Construction (Including Construction Litigation), 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021
- The Best Lawyers UK (BL Rankings, LLC), Construction Law, 2012, 2014, 2017−2019, 2023 and 2024
- Chambers UK, “Leaders in their Field” in Construction: Supplier (UK–wide), 2012–2014
- Chambers UK, Construction: International Arbitration, 2014
- Chambers UK, Construction: Purchaser, 2014
- Legal 500 Latin America, International Arbitration, 2013, 2014, 2016−2018, 2021–2025
- Selected to the London Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2013 and 2024
- Legal 500 EMEA, Construction, 2013
- Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, Shortlisted in “Construction Lawyer of the Year – UK,” 2013
- Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration, 2012
- Member: Society of Construction Law
- Member: International Bar Association
- Member: The Adjudication Society
- Member: Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 24, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 17, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 3, 2024
- InsightMay 21, 2024
Published by Legal Business
- Rankings & AwardsMarch 22, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJanuary 26, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 31, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 19, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 4, 2023
- Deals & CasesAugust 25, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsJuly 5, 2023
- InsightJanuary 23, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsDecember 12, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 20, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsOctober 19, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsSeptember 29, 2022
- Vinson & Elkins Achieves 12 Rankings in The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings, LLC) UK 2022 GuideRankings & AwardsJune 30, 2022
- InsightFebruary 15, 2022
- “FIDIC Americas Contract Users’ Conference,” October 14-15, 2014, Miami, FL (speaker)
- “Amending FIDIC Contracts – A Dozen Key Issues,” V&E’s International Construction Newsletter, Fall 2011
- “Understanding English Law When it Governs the Contract,” V&E’s International Construction Newsletter, Fall 2011
- “Shifting Sands in the Economy and International Procurement Market,” January 2011
- “Worlds Apart: EPC and EPCM Contracts: Risk Issues and Allocation,” January 2011 (co-author)