Nelson acts as counsel and advisor in complex international disputes, with a focus on commercial and investment arbitration. He has experience arbitrating under all major institutional rules.
Nelson has particular experience in the finance and technology sectors. He regularly acts for financial institutions, hedge funds, and PE firms in finance-related arbitration, including shareholders’ disputes, funding disputes or broken deals. On tech, he previously represented one of the largest tech companies in a multi-jurisdiction licensing dispute. He has also been involved in disputes arising from technology-related mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and disputes involving SAAS, cloud computing, online platforms and digital monetization contracts. Nelson is also familiar with issues concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In addition to technology disputes, he has particular experience in mining, joint-venture, energy and civil fraud disputes.
Nelson is a thought leader in dispute resolution. He is a co-author of Oxford University Press’s commentary on the Singapore International Arbitration Act and has published in journals such as the Journal of International Arbitration, ICSID Review, and Journal of International Dispute Settlement, amongst others. His work has also been cited by the UK Supreme Court. Nelson also teaches and sits on the editorial boards of various journals.
Nelson holds an LL.B. from the National University of Singapore and an LL.M. from New York University. He read his second LL.M. at the University of Cambridge as a Trust Scholar, scoring firsts in all subjects. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales (Solicitor-Advocate) and Singapore and speaks fluent Mandarin.
Prior to practice, Nelson served as a military officer. He was awarded the Sword of Honour as valedictorian of his officer course. He trained in Singapore under a Senior Counsel and worked in elite US law firms before joining Pallas Partners LLP.
Nelson is also active on the pro bono front. He was nominated TrustLaw Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year 2022 for his work with an anti-human trafficking NGO.
