The Arbitration and Mediation Center is an international resource for time- and cost-effective alternatives to court litigation of IP and technology disputes, an administrator of cases, and a provider of legal and policy expertise.
Our activities include:
- Administering mediation, arbitration, expedited arbitration, and expert determination cases under the WIPO Rules.
- Assisting IP stakeholders in establishing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures adapted to their areas of activities.
- Administering domain name disputes under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), including UDRP-based procedures for certain country-code top-level domains.
- Providing leadership in the development of ADR solutions in relation to the unauthorized use of IP on the Internet.
Sections
- IP Disputes Section
- Information and External Relations Section
- Business Development and Digital Content Disputes Section
- Internet Dispute Resolution Section
Ignacio DE CASTRO LLAMAS
DIRECTOR
Languages: Spanish, English, French
Ignacio de Castro is a Spanish lawyer and an English solicitor. Ignacio holds an LL.M. degree from King's College London. Before joining WIPO in 2002, he practiced with the law firms Baker & McKenzie, London and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London in the areas of international arbitration and litigation. Ignacio is a national of Spain.
Languages: Spanish, English, French
Ignacio de Castro is a Spanish lawyer and an English solicitor. Ignacio holds an LL.M. degree from King's College London. Before joining WIPO in 2002, he practiced with the law firms Baker & McKenzie, London and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London in the areas of international arbitration and litigation. Ignacio is a national of Spain.
Brian Beckham - Internet Disputes Resolution Section
Head - Internet Dispute Resolution Section
Language: English
Brian Beckham, a national of the United States of America, holds a J.D. and LL.M. in Information Technology from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining WIPO, Brian was employed in private practice at a DC area law firm representing clients in trademark, telecommunications, and non-profit matters. After a number of years with the Arbitration and Mediation Center, he worked as a consultant providing strategic advice and legal implementation in relation to New gTLD applications.
Brian Beckham, a national of the United States of America, holds a J.D. and LL.M. in Information Technology from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining WIPO, Brian was employed in private practice at a DC area law firm representing clients in trademark, telecommunications, and non-profit matters. After a number of years with the Arbitration and Mediation Center, he worked as a consultant providing strategic advice and legal implementation in relation to New gTLD applications.
Adam Rattray
Head - Information and External Relations Section
Language: English
Adam Rattray, a national of the United States of America, holds a J.D. degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. Before joining WIPO he worked at the Geneva office of the law firm White & Case as a member of the WTO and international trade law practice. Prior to that, he was on the legal staff at the United Nations Compensation Commission where he led the review of instalments of corporate and individual claims arising from the Gulf War (1991).
Adam Rattray, a national of the United States of America, holds a J.D. degree from American University’s Washington College of Law. Before joining WIPO he worked at the Geneva office of the law firm White & Case as a member of the WTO and international trade law practice. Prior to that, he was on the legal staff at the United Nations Compensation Commission where he led the review of instalments of corporate and individual claims arising from the Gulf War (1991).
Leandro Toscano
Head - Business Development and Digital Content Disputes Section
Languages: Spanish and English
Leandro Toscano, a national of Argentina, holds a law degree from the University of Buenos Aires and an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London. Before joining WIPO in 2008, he was in private practice in intellectual property and information technology law. Leandro was the Center's representative at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore from 2011 until mid-2014.
Leandro Toscano, a national of Argentina, holds a law degree from the University of Buenos Aires and an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London. Before joining WIPO in 2008, he was in private practice in intellectual property and information technology law. Leandro was the Center's representative at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore from 2011 until mid-2014.
Heike Wollgast
Head - IP Disputes Section
Languages: German, English, French
Heike Wollgast, a national of Germany, holds a Ph.D. in European Community Law from the University of Cologne. She was a research fellow at the Institute for International Law in Cologne and practiced in the Berlin office of the law firm Luther in the areas of trade and intellectual property law. Before joining the Arbitration and Mediation Center, Heike specialized in legal and policy aspects of intellectual property enforcement at WIPO’s Building Respect for IP Division.
Heike Wollgast, a national of Germany, holds a Ph.D. in European Community Law from the University of Cologne. She was a research fellow at the Institute for International Law in Cologne and practiced in the Berlin office of the law firm Luther in the areas of trade and intellectual property law. Before joining the Arbitration and Mediation Center, Heike specialized in legal and policy aspects of intellectual property enforcement at WIPO’s Building Respect for IP Division.
Leena Ballard
Senior Legal Officer - Internet Dispute Resolution Section, Operations, Resources, Neutrals
Languages: Finnish, English, French and Swedish
Leena Ballard, a national of Finland, holds a Master of Laws from the University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland. She obtained qualification as a judge following training with the District Court of Tampere. Before joining WIPO in 2001 she worked at the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Leena Ballard, a national of Finland, holds a Master of Laws from the University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland. She obtained qualification as a judge following training with the District Court of Tampere. Before joining WIPO in 2001 she worked at the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Gonzalo Bleda Navarro
Senior Legal Officer - Internet Dispute Resolution Section, Operations, Systems, Policy
Languages: Spanish and English
Gonzalo Bleda is a Spanish lawyer. Gonzalo holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary, University of London, and an LL.M. in Business Law from the Instituto de Empresa (IE Law School). Before joining WIPO in 2015, Gonzalo was a lawyer in national and international law firms in Madrid working in the areas of intellectual property, information technology law, and commercial law. Gonzalo is a national of Spain.
Gonzalo Bleda is a Spanish lawyer. Gonzalo holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary, University of London, and an LL.M. in Business Law from the Instituto de Empresa (IE Law School). Before joining WIPO in 2015, Gonzalo was a lawyer in national and international law firms in Madrid working in the areas of intellectual property, information technology law, and commercial law. Gonzalo is a national of Spain.
Francisco Rios
Senior Legal Officer -Internet Dispute Resolution Section, Operations, ccTLD Program, Jurisprudence
Languages: Spanish and English
Following studies in law at the Universidad Central de Chile, Francisco Ríos was admitted as an attorney by the Supreme Court of Chile in 1999. Before joining WIPO he worked in the private sector in his home country, where he trained as a trademark attorney in contentious and non-contentious matters. Francisco Ríos is a Chilean national.
Following studies in law at the Universidad Central de Chile, Francisco Ríos was admitted as an attorney by the Supreme Court of Chile in 1999. Before joining WIPO he worked in the private sector in his home country, where he trained as a trademark attorney in contentious and non-contentious matters. Francisco Ríos is a Chilean national.
Charlotte Spencer
Senior Legal Officer - Internet Dispute Resolution Section, Operations, Outreach, Privacy
Languages: French, English, Italian
Charlotte Spencer holds a Master of Laws from the University of Panthéon-Assas in International and European Law. She qualified as a member of the Paris Bar in 2006. Before joining WIPO in 2007, she worked in a Milan-based law firm in intellectual property and contract law. Charlotte Spencer is a national of France and the United Kingdom.
Charlotte Spencer holds a Master of Laws from the University of Panthéon-Assas in International and European Law. She qualified as a member of the Paris Bar in 2006. Before joining WIPO in 2007, she worked in a Milan-based law firm in intellectual property and contract law. Charlotte Spencer is a national of France and the United Kingdom.
Chiara Accornero
Legal Officer - IP Disputes Section
Languages: Italian and English
Chiara Accornero, a national of Italy, holds a Master of Laws from the University of Turin and a Certificate in Transnational Law from the University of Geneva. Before joining the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva in 2016, she worked in a Turin-based law firm in the areas of intellectual property and contract law. Chiara was the Center's representative at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore from 2017 until mid-2021. In her role, Chiara is responsible for the management of cross-border intellectual property and technology related disputes and promotion of WIPO Alternative Dispute Resolution services globally.
Chiara Accornero, a national of Italy, holds a Master of Laws from the University of Turin and a Certificate in Transnational Law from the University of Geneva. Before joining the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva in 2016, she worked in a Turin-based law firm in the areas of intellectual property and contract law. Chiara was the Center's representative at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore from 2017 until mid-2021. In her role, Chiara is responsible for the management of cross-border intellectual property and technology related disputes and promotion of WIPO Alternative Dispute Resolution services globally.
Andrzej Gadkowski
Legal Officer - IP Disputes Section
Languages: Polish, English, French
Andrzej Gadkowski, a national of Poland, holds a Ph.D. in Law from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and the University of Geneva. Before joining WIPO, he gained professional experience working with international organizations, academic institutions, Polish Diplomatic and Consular Service, and law firms in Poland. He is a member of the Poznań Bar.
Andrzej Gadkowski, a national of Poland, holds a Ph.D. in Law from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and the University of Geneva. Before joining WIPO, he gained professional experience working with international organizations, academic institutions, Polish Diplomatic and Consular Service, and law firms in Poland. He is a member of the Poznań Bar.
Margarita Kato
Legal Officer - IP Disputes Section, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Office in Singapore
Languages: English and Russian
Margarita (Rita) Kato is an English solicitor and holds an LLB from the London School of Economics. Prior to joining the WIPO Center in 2020, Rita practiced at an international law firm in London and also worked at the firm’s offices in Singapore and Geneva. Rita is currently the representative of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore Office.
Margarita (Rita) Kato is an English solicitor and holds an LLB from the London School of Economics. Prior to joining the WIPO Center in 2020, Rita practiced at an international law firm in London and also worked at the firm’s offices in Singapore and Geneva. Rita is currently the representative of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore Office.
Oscar Suarez Bohorquez
Legal Officer - Business Development and Digital Content Disputes Section
Languages: Spanish, English and French
Oscar Suárez is a Colombian lawyer. He holds a LL.M. on International Civil and Commercial Law from Leiden University, The Netherlands. He has also conducted research with the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, on the legal and regulatory aspects of new digital assets, such as crypto assets, DLT technology, NFTs, and ADR. Prior to joining WIPO in 2018, he practiced in the areas of corporate law, international trade, and intellectual property in-house and in law firms.
Oscar Suárez is a Colombian lawyer. He holds a LL.M. on International Civil and Commercial Law from Leiden University, The Netherlands. He has also conducted research with the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, on the legal and regulatory aspects of new digital assets, such as crypto assets, DLT technology, NFTs, and ADR. Prior to joining WIPO in 2018, he practiced in the areas of corporate law, international trade, and intellectual property in-house and in law firms.
Dandan Zhou
Legal Officer - Internet Dispute Resolution Section, Operations, Resources, Neutrals
Languages: Chinese and English
Dandan Zhou, a national of China, holds a law degree from the Soochow University in China and an LL.M. degree from the University of Durham, United Kingdom. Before joining WIPO in 2007, she worked in a Shanghai-based law firm in intellectual property and contract law. She is qualified to practice in China.
Dandan Zhou, a national of China, holds a law degree from the Soochow University in China and an LL.M. degree from the University of Durham, United Kingdom. Before joining WIPO in 2007, she worked in a Shanghai-based law firm in intellectual property and contract law. She is qualified to practice in China.
Justine Ferland
Associate Legal Officer – Information and External Relations Section
Languages: English and French
Justine Ferland, a national of Canada, holds an LLB from the University of Montreal and a Master of Laws in International and European Law from the University of Geneva. She is a member of the Quebec Bar since 2009. Before joining the WIPO Center in 2021, Justine practiced as a civil and commercial litigation attorney at an international law firm in Montreal, Canada, and as a researcher in art and intellectual property law at the University of Geneva.
Justine Ferland, a national of Canada, holds an LLB from the University of Montreal and a Master of Laws in International and European Law from the University of Geneva. She is a member of the Quebec Bar since 2009. Before joining the WIPO Center in 2021, Justine practiced as a civil and commercial litigation attorney at an international law firm in Montreal, Canada, and as a researcher in art and intellectual property law at the University of Geneva.
Arbitration and Mediation Center Geneva
34, chemin des Colombettes
1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
T +4122 338 8247
F +4122 740 3700 or +4122 338 8337
General queries:
arbiter.mail@wipo.int
Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore
Maxwell Chambers Suites
28 Maxwell Road #02-14
Singapore 069120
T +65 6225 2129