Thomas Dillon

British - Irish

34+ years of experience

Language:

English

Present Function:

Arbitrator, Mediator and IP Consultant (UK- and California-qualified lawyer and arbitrator; MBA), with expertise in international law, intellectual property, commercial litigation, and ADR. Qualified arbitrator and CMC-registered mediator. Member of the ICANN Intellectual Property Constituency and BAFTA.

General Expertise:

Technical Expertise:

Information and Communication Technology

Certifications and/or licenses

- Barrister, Bar of England and Wales (since 1983).
- Attorney at Law, State Bar of California (non-practising status) (since 1998).
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (since 1999).

Professional legal or litigation experience related to the scope of competence of the PMAC

An active barrister with over 15 years of experience, conducting a wide range of civil and commercial proceedings, including trademark matters. For more than 8 years, supervised copyright enforcement cases across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for the Motion Picture Association. Served for 9.5 years as a Legal Counsellor at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), focusing primarily on intellectual property enforcement matters, including patents. Experienced trainer of judges, government officials, and law enforcement personnel in numerous countries on IP enforcement, including arbitration and mediation.

Professional technical experience related to the scope of competence of the PMAC

Extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of IP infringement in the digital environment, including DNS, gained through work with the Motion Picture Association and WIPO.

Memberships and/or accreditations

Accreditations:
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
Civil Mediation Council (CMC)
Society of Mediators
Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM)

Memberships:
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
ICANN IP Constituency
International Chamber of Commerce UK
International Council for Commercial Arbitration
International Institute of Communications
London Court of International Arbitration
Swiss Arbitration Association
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)

Practical experience of conducting mediation or conciliation or judicial settlement conferences or out-of-court dispute settlements in disputes related to the scope of competence of the PMAC

Acted as mediator in three mediations (non-IP cases). Conducted two mediations in 2011–2012 prior to joining WIPO. Requalified as an accredited mediator in the UK in November 2023 and conducted a further mediation in 2025 involving a building dispute. Registered as a mediator with the Civil Mediation Council (UK) and accredited by the Swiss Chambers of Commercial Mediation.