Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
Nick is an experienced property lawyer and has experience of acting on commercial, residential and agricultural real estate matters for companies individuals investors, developers, landlords, and occupiers.
Over the past 20 years, Nick has handled a wide range of matters involving residential, agricultural and commercial property acquisitions and disposals, including high-value complex transactions, residential and mixed use development sites, construction matters, associated financing and all property aspects of corporate transactions.
Expertise
Nick advises on commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, conditional contracts, options, pre-emptions, and overage agreements, guiding clients through complex office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use property deals.
Experience
- Acted for national house builders in the acquisition of residential property and subsequent disposal of plots.
- Acted on the acquisition of a street in a major UK city and all subsequent documentation for redevelopment and eventual disposal with a GDV of £150m.
- Acted for national house builders on the purchase and subsequent sale of development sites for extra care living.
- Acquisition of prime Central London and country property for development and subsequent sale.
Nick advises on property development, site assembly, funding documentation, and secured lending, supporting clients in residential, mixed-use, and commercial projects with complex financial and structural arrangements.
Experience
- Acted on all documentation for the redevelopment of a major UK city street with a GDV of £150m.
- Acquisition of prime Central London and country property for development and subsequent sale.
- Acted for national house builders on development sites for extra care living.
Nick is an experienced property lawyer advising on commercial, residential, and agricultural real estate matters. He acts for companies, individuals, investors, developers, landlords, and occupiers on acquisitions, disposals, leases, and corporate property transactions.
Experience
- Acted for one of the UK’s leading food companies in respect of the acquisition and disposal of farms, easements and leases.
- Provided corporate support on transactions involving the acquisition of property assets including farms, factories, offices and residential properties (farm element).
- Acting for one of the largest poultry companies in the UK, carrying out their agricultural-based work.
- Advised farms and estate work.
- Advised a client on the purchase of a small estate.
- Advised on the purchase of a farm with a value of £10m.
- Acted for large estates in the acquisition and disposal of properties.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Chambers Global for Employment 2026
Recognised in Chambers UK for Employment: Employer 2025-2026
Acknowledged by Chambers 2025 for having a practice that sees him advise on a broad spectrum of issues faced by major employers, including tribunal and High Court proceedings. He has notable expertise in handling whistle-blowing, discrimination and harassment claims.
Recognised by the Legal 500 in the Hall of Fame for Employment: Employers 2025-2026
Recognised by the Legal 500 2025 for Sport
Recognised in Best Lawyers (UK) 2009 – 2025 for Employment
Recognised by Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2024 for Employment
Recognised in Chambers UK 2023 for Employment: Employer
Recognised in Who’s Who Legal (2021-2024) for Labour, Employment and Benefits
Recognised in Chambers UK 2023 for Employment: Employer
Recognised in Chambers UK 2022 for Employment: Employer
Nicholas Robertson is noted as being “good at presenting solutions and very good at recommending what needed to be done.” Sources also note that he fights hard for his clients, who include large international corporates. Chambers UK 2015
Ranked by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers magazine for 2014, employment section; also ranked in the Top 10 list of lawyers in London
Member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the City of London Employment sub-committee and the Employment Advisory Panel for PLC
“Nick is a calming influence in a crisis, with a wealth of experience and commercial acumen.”
Chambers UK 2025
“He is an excellent lawyer who provides us with sound and prompt advice.”
Chambers UK 2025
“Nick Robertson – highly experienced litigator who had conducted much litigation in the world of football.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Nicholas’s strong reputation is matched by his ability.”
Chambers UK 2024
“He has a highly regarded reputation with a depth of practice.”
Chambers UK 2024
“Nick Robertson the man you want on your side in an employment dispute.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Top 10 Pioneering Employment Lawyers in London for Employers in 2023.”
Business Today
“He is an outstanding professional and a voice of reason.”
Chambers UK 2023
“His knowledge of employment law knows no bounds, and he can translate that into a very business-focused solution with a rapid turnaround time.”
Chambers UK 2022
“He has the whole package when it comes to experience and judgement.”
Chambers UK 2022
“Nick Robertson is an exceptional lawyer! He is extremely knowledgeable, and can handle complex and challenging issues with ease. He is a superb strategist and brilliant tactician, always focussed on delivering the outcome the client seeks.”
The Legal 500 2022
“He’s very down to earth and knows his stuff inside and out. Tactically he’s brilliant because he’s so experienced and has faced almost everything before. He gets to the real issues and forensically analyses them.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He’s incredibly knowledgeable, incredibly user-friendly, dives into the issues and isn’t fazed by anything.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He is a very gifted lawyer and an extremely effective negotiator.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Nick Robertson is commercial, sensible and calm in a crisis. He’s a great partner who often ends up being the voice of reason.”
The Legal 500 2021
“A trusted and practical adviser who provides innovative solutions to the challenges faced by employers.”
Chambers Global 2020
“Excellent technical lawyer” Nicholas Robertson regularly advises employers on the recruitment and departure of senior employees, and also trade union issues. Clients say he is “very commercial, very experienced and gives sage advice.”
Chambers UK 2018
“Nick is highly commercial and direct. He balances the legal requirements with our culture and business needs to achieve the best outcomes.”
Chambers UK 2017
“Nicholas Robertson is noted as being “good at presenting solutions and very good at recommending what needed to be done.” Sources also note that he fights hard for his clients, who include large international corporates.”
Chambers UK 2015
“Technically brilliant and knows his stuff inside out.”
The Legal 500 2014
“Nicholas Robertson is a doyen of the employment world and, in the words of one peer, “a real heavyweight.” “I think he’s probably one of the best employment lawyers you will ever find,” claimed one source, whilst others praised his commercial awareness and ability to work collaboratively. ”
Chambers UK 2014
“Incredibly experienced, highly focused on what the client needs to achieve and really hard working.”
Chambers UK 2013
“Brilliant: pragmatic, commercial and supportive.”
Chambers UK 2012
“A great tactician”, “a great team player” and “a delight to work with.”
Chambers UK 2011
“All-round excellence.”
The Legal 500 2011
“A solution-orientated lawyer with a sophisticated knowledge of the sector.”
Chambers UK 2010
“A sensible dealmaker.”
The Legal 500 2010
Nick qualified as a solicitor in 2000. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2018, he worked at the following firms:
- Pennington Manches
- Blake Lapthorn