Published on 1 May 2019 in Client Alerts

Volterra Fietta promotes Álvaro Nistal to counsel

Top-ranked public international law firm Volterra Fietta is pleased to announce the promotion of Álvaro Nistal to counsel, effective as of 1 May 2019.

Since joining our firm in 2012, Álvaro has worked on numerous, legally-significant cases. He has represented States in multiple cases before the International Court of Justice. He also has advised States in relation to proceedings before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, domestic judicial proceedings on sovereign immunity matters, international trade law, the laws of war and international criminal law issues. Equally, he has represented both investors and States in high-profile investment treaty arbitrations as well as applicants and respondents in annulment proceedings.

Álvaro has taught law of the sea and international environmental law at King’s College London, delivered practical training in public international law and international investment law to public officials of States in Africa and in the Middle East and published widely on a variety of topics.

Commenting on the promotion, partner Robert Volterra said:

Álvaro is already one of the most experienced public international law practitioners in the world. He consistently represents clients before the International Court of Justice and other international courts and tribunals. He has acted for investors and States in all phases of the ICSID dispute resolution procedures. He has advised clients around the world on virtually every aspect of public international law.”

Partner Graham Coop echoed those comments, adding:

“Clients trust and value him for this experience, his first-rate legal mind and for his practical approach to problem solving. Álvaro plays an important leadership role in the firm and his elevation to counsel is well deserved. His promotion reflects the strength of the firm and the depth of its experience.

Álvaro Nistal said:

I am honoured to be promoted to counsel. These are exciting times for Volterra Fietta. The firm is composed of a diverse and impressive team of public international law experts. There are over 20 lawyers at the firm, all busy working full‑time on public international law matters. We work with a fantastic client-base of States, international organisations and globally‑recognised companies. This stimulating context has enabled me to develop as a lawyer and public international law expert. It is a privilege to be part of the firm’s continued growth.

A Spanish and French native, Álvaro is a member of the Madrid Bar and a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. He holds an LLB and a BA in Political Science from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, as well as a Master of Advanced Studies in Public and International Law from the University of Leiden.

 ***

Volterra Fietta

Founded in 2011, Volterra Fietta is the only dedicated public international law firm in the world and has moved quickly to become preeminent in the field of public international law and international arbitration. The firm is ranked in the top tier by all the legal directories.

Volterra Fietta acts for States, international organisations and private entities in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm is committed to upholding the rule of law internationally and championing the use of peaceful settlement of international disputes as a means of resolving human conflict. www.volterrafietta.com

More Client Alerts

| Client Alerts

Volterra Fietta engaging with China’s “going-abroad” policy Volterra Fietta 为中国“走出去”战略贡献力量

随着中国不断强调双边投资协定在保护其对外投资中的重要作用,并鼓励中国投资者运用国际法机制来保障自身权益,Volterra Fietta 受邀为这一重要倡议作出贡献。

In the past couple of decades China has become the world’s biggest overseas investor.  Chinese State-Owned-Enterprises and private businesses have spent trillions of dollars in foreign investments.  Inevitably, disputes arise between Chinese companies and foreign governments and business counterparties.

Learn more

| Client Alerts

Volterra Fietta ranks again at the top tier in the world’s leading independant global legal directories (Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners)

Volterra Fietta has been recognised at the top tier of law firms specialising in public international law and international dispute resolution, for yet another year.  These rankings continue Volterra Fietta’s uninterrupted perfect record in these global legal directories, held since it was founded in 2011.

Learn more

| Client Alerts

Algeria adopts new mining law

On 3 August 2025, Algeria adopted Law No. 25‑12 of 3 August 2025 governing mining activities, which was published in the Official Journal No. 52 on 7 August 2025 (“New Mining Law”). The law repeals the previous mining regime established under Law No. 14-05 of 24 February 2014.

Learn more

| Client Alerts

ITLOS amends guidelines on the preparation and presentation of cases before the Tribunal

In September 2025, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“ITLOS”) adopted amendments to its Guidelines concerning the Preparation and Presentation of Cases before the Tribunal (“Guidelines”).  The revised text updates the Guidelines that the Tribunal originally adopted in 1997.

Learn more
View all