Nicholas Underhill, Peter Goldsmith KC to return to Fountain Court Chambers

Former Lord Justice of Appeal and Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Civil Division Sir Nicholas Underhill and Debevoise & Plimpton Co-Managing Partner Lord Peter Goldsmith will return to Fountain Court Chambers in January 2026.

Underhill previously practised at Fountain Court for nearly three decades before being appointed to the judiciary. He will return as an arbitrator and mediator, bringing decades of experience in complex commercial matters.

Goldsmith was previously a member of Fountain Court between 1972 and 2001. He served as UK Attorney General between 2001 and 2007 before joining Debevoise as London Co-Managing Partner and Chair of European and Asian Litigation.

Speaking about their arrival in a press release, Head of Fountain Court Chambers Richard Handyside KC said,

“On behalf of Chambers, I am delighted to welcome Sir Nicholas Underhill and (in due course) Lord Goldsmith KC back to Fountain Court. Sir Nicholas and Lord Goldsmith are hugely distinguished, experienced and respected legal figures, and together they will significantly enhance our ability to serve clients in the most complex global disputes.”

Underhill commented,

“Returning to Fountain Court at this stage enables me to engage with the dynamic world of arbitration and commercial dispute resolution in a way that draws on my judicial experience. Fountain Court offers the platform, and I look forward to working with its members and clients.”

Lord Goldsmith KC said,

“I practise globally in arbitration and litigation, and the opportunity to return to Fountain Court to sit both as counsel and arbitrator at this juncture aligns perfectly with both my experience and the evolving needs of international disputants. I look forward to building on the set’s outstanding reputation.”

Among the Indian lawyers part of Fountain Court Chambers are Senior Advocates Arvind Datar, Gaurav Pachnanda and Zal Andhyarujina.