Nicholas graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from Wolverhampton University, United Kingdom in 1996. He was admitted as a Barrister-at-Law, Inner Temple in 1997 and called to the Singapore Bar as an Advocate and Solicitor in 1999.

Nicholas has more than 20 years of experience in the legal arena. After completing his pupilage at Allen & Gledhill (now Allen & Gledhill LLP) in 1998, he practised with various law firms, including niche practice J Koh & Co and specialist maritime and insurance firm Ang & Partners. Prior to starting his own practice Nicholas & Co in 2007, he was a Principal in the litigation and arbitration chambers of Michael Hwang, S.C.