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The Mediators' Green Pledge outlines measures for mediators to reduce their climate impact. View it here.Bill Marsh (www.billmarsh.co.uk) is one of Europe's most experienced commercial mediators. Involved full-time in mediation since 1991, and ranked each year in the top tier of all the independent directories (eg Legal 500, Chambers Directory and Who's Who Legal/Lexology), he has successfully mediated a wide cross-section of commercial disputes. International recognition has led to Bill being featured in every edition of the international Who's Who Legal list of most highly regarded mediation individuals, including Mediator of the Year in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019 and 2014, and featuring every year as a "Global Elite Thought Leader" .
Bill is a full-time commercial mediator, based in London, England, and operating both in the UK and internationally. His mediation practice has included disputes and parties from over 50 countries including UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ghana, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bosnia, Serbia, Tunisia, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana. Parties have included individuals, private companies and firms, public companies, public bodies/authorities, and national governments. His mediations cover a broad cross-section of commercial disputes, ranging up to multi-billion pound in value. He has exceptional experience in Investor/State mediation.
He is a founder member of Independent Mediators, Europe's leading private chambers of full-time commercial mediators - www.independentmediators.co.uk.
He has been at the forefront of commercial mediation in the UK since its inception.
Bill has also served as mediation adviser to the governments of Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Turkey, and to institutions such as the International Finance Corporation/World Bank Group, European Commission, and United Nations. He has chaired inter-governmental meetings on mediation involving more than 30 countries, and has represented the UK at the United Nations.
Bill also trains and presents widely on mediation and on wider conflict issues.
Bill also works on complex religious and political conflicts, and is a peace envoy for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Background
Bill was formerly a founding director of CEDR in London, for 11 years (1991-2002). Prior to that, he was a corporate lawyer in private practice in the UK and Paris.
Bill has worked full-time in the mediation field for the last 35 years. As a professional mediator, he mediates disputes every week, covering almost every area of law and practice. Parties tend to be private and public corporations, local and national governments, professional firms, public authorities and individuals.
He has mediated throughout the UK and is also well known as an international mediator. He has mediated disputes from some 50 countries, with parties including governments, state-owned/controlled corporations, and international businesses from North America, Europe, Russia/CIS, South and South East Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Rim and Australasia. His mediation experience covers a wide range of international commercial issues, including major infra-structure projects, oil and gas/energy, construction and engineering, IT, banking, competition/anti-trust, shareholder and joint venture disputes, intellectual property, insurance and others. He has exceptional experience in Investor/State mediation.
The clearest indication of Bill's mediation style can be gleaned from his feedback digest on this site. Relaxed in his manner, he is quick to build trust and engage with all those involved, and regards this is indispensable to mediating effectively. He seeks to manage the process proactively, and encourage frank and candid discussions. He will focus on pragmatic solutions, but always respecting that the ultimate choices lie with the parties themselves. He is regarded as respectful and sensitive to the personal issues whilst being incisive and insightful on the commercial ones.
Examples of feedback include:
2024 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“Bill Marsh excels at mediating high-value and international commercial disputes across a broad range of industries.”
“He’s one of the best-known mediators around. He has a good client manner and is excellent with lay clients.”
“Bill is really impressive. He’s very realistic in terms of setting expectations. He has a good manner and tests boundaries without being confrontational.”
“He is very connected to the mediation. He appreciates the tension and takes the time to understand frustration and what the clients are trying to achieve. He goes above and beyond and invests a lot of time in reading the material.”
2023 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“Bill Marsh excels at mediating high-value and international commercial disputes.”
“He’s simply brilliant! Bill got to grips with the issues quickly and was very effective at defusing a fraught dispute.”
“Bill is a very safe pair of hands for any mediation. He has gravitas and a wealth of experience behind him but is also very user-friendly.”
“He works hard in any mediation to persuade the parties to focus on achieving sensible and commercial settlements. He is calm and measured and manages to gain the trust and confidence of the parties.”
Legal 500 Directory - Top ranked
“Bill Marsh is a leading European mediator. Bill’s ‘key skills are being able to distil down complex matters into the key issues facing the parties, and to explore alternative routes to bringing them closer together.’ Active in full-time mediation since 1991, Marsh’s practice covers a broad range of commercial disputes, including commercial contracts, product liability, insurance, reinsurance, professional negligence, shareholder issues, sports, medical negligence, pensions, IT and shipping; and his international practice covers parties from over 30 countries, including disputes in India, France, Canada, US, Switzerland, Spain and Italy, along with Turkey, the Gulf, the Balkans and the Caribbean.
2022 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who's Who Legal - Mediator of the Year, and Global Elite Thought Leader
Bill Marsh tops our rankings and is held in high esteem by clients and peers alike for his calmness, integrity and intelligence, which enables him to excel within the mediation market. He also features on the list of Global Elite Thought Leaders in mediation.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“Bill is an absolutely first-class mediator who adapts and adjusts to the dynamics of the people and the dispute.”
“He brought a strong measure of calm and authority to the negotiations and was able to gain the confidence of the opposing factions. He is superb at dealing with people and is willing to listen and sympathise but stays very commercial when it comes to the negotiations.”
2021 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who’s Who Legal - Global Elite Thought Leader
“He is simply one of the finest and always a pleasure to engage with”
“Bill has a great reputation”
“An excellent mediator”
Legal 500 Directory - Top ranked
Bill Marsh “builds trust right from the start of the process, and is calm, professional, thorough, friendly and commercial – he is also extremely measured in his approach, while being direct with clients when required”.
2020 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who’s Who Legal – Global Elite Thought Leader
The “excellent” Bill Marsh is a “go-to – his calibre and quality are simply fantastic”. Respondents “highly recommend his style and approach” and exalt his “very successful” mediation practice.
2019 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who's Who Legal - “Mediator of the Year” and top ranked
“Global Leader” and “Global Elite Thought Leader”, Bill Marsh is a “sensational” mediator according to respondents. He “gets very high-profile work and is extremely experienced and capable”.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators is routinely instructed on high-value domestic and international mediations as they occur across a diverse range of commercial areas. Clients say: “Bill is calm and commands respect. He is technically able, gets the issues, and works tirelessly to help the parties find an acceptable solution.“
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
“Bill Marsh is ‘one of the best mediators in the business – he has strong technical skills, a real understanding of the issues and works tirelessly with the parties to get a solution’. Marsh has been in full-time mediation since 1991 and he operates both in the UK and internationally. On the international side, recent instructions came from the Balkans, the Netherlands, Greece, France, Russia, India, Singapore, the US and the Gulf, and have involved areas such as banking, sport, environmental issues, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and gold mining”.’.
Client in Anglo-Chinese dispute
“Bill was excellent. His approach was a breath of fresh air – very commercial. His energy, creativity and diplomacy were well received and I would have no hesitation in instructing him again.”
Clients in multi-party dispute
“It was the first multi-party mediation I had been involved in and it was a very complex one…In my mind the way you set the tone and conducted yourself in your interactions with the parties was a major factor in reaching a settlement on the day (night!) and for that we are very grateful”.
2018 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators is an experienced and highly regarded mediator who “knows how to bring parties together, and when to push and when not to push,” according to clients. His exceptional international practice covers a diverse range of sectors in disputes occurring across Europe, North America and Asia”.
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
“‘Thoroughly recommended’ Bill Marsh is ‘excellent; he combines a strong intellect with a pragmatic, commercial manner, and deals with difficult and highly sensitive situations with pragmatism, tact and good humour’. Marsh’s mediation practice covers a broad range of commercial disputes (both UK and internationally)”
2017 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 Directory – Top-ranked
“A mediator who has seen and done it all before, yet he still manages to bring a freshness and energy to each mediation. He has a nicely understated style, but forceful when he needs to be, and hugely experienced at getting a sense of how the parties want to negotiate, and where a deal lies’.
2016 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
“Rightly regarded as being at the top of the tree”, Bill Marsh at Independent Mediators has been involved full-time in mediation since 1991. He is “patient and willing to work really hard to discover the strengths and weaknesses in each argument presented by parties”. He is also “appreciated for being able to persuade disputants to come up with constructive solutions”. In 2016, Marsh received the Archbishop of Canterbury’s inaugural Hubert Walter Award for outstanding services to reconciliation, which recognises his commitment to conflict resolution at both national and international levels.
Who's Who Legal - One of the world’s top mediators, and the UK’s top five.
Bill Marsh is a “highly experienced mediator who demonstrates patience and tact” when dealing with international governments, businesses, organisations and individuals. He is widely recognised for his “aptitude for combining sensitivity with the requisite degree of firmness”.
2015 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
‘Top-notch mediator’ Bill Marsh at Independent Mediators uses ‘his gravitas, credibility and charm to persuade even the most difficult of parties to adopt a more conciliatory approach’. He employs his ‘even and relaxed style’ to ‘immediately gain the trust of the parties’. Clients also praise Marsh as ‘exceptionally well prepared’, ‘creative in finding solutions’ and able to ‘use his clear understanding of the legal issues to examine the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s argument’.
Who's Who Legal – One of the World’s top ten mediators.
Once again listed in the World’s top ten most highly regarded mediators, “Bill Marsh is once again recognised as one of the most highly nominated figures in our international research with contributors describing him as “a true leader in the field”. With experience in disputes involving parties from Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, North America and Australasia, he is “highly sought after” for his expertise in multimillion-pound cases”.
2014 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who's Who Legal - “Global Mediator of the Year”
Bill Marsh received more recommendations than any other practitioner in our international research, with interviewees describing him as “fantastically skilled” and “a real thought leader in our profession”. He has worked with governments, professional firms, and individuals and each have found him to be “calm, effective and impressive”.
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
‘Charming, well-informed and easy to deal with’, Bill Marsh is ‘right at the top of his game’. He is ‘extremely patient and hardworking, but he pushes both sides’ positions very hard. He is a perfect example of how a talented mediator can overcome apparently insuperable obstacles’. Clients appreciate the fact that ‘he has a lighter touch than other mediators, but remains focused on the real issues in dispute and how the parties might compromise them’.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Commentators speak at length about the talented Bill Marsh. Interviewees say he is “very effective at bringing the parties together”. In the experience of one interviewee, “he was creative, calm and confident in that he can see a path through the trees in a hard-fought dispute”.
2013 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who’s Who Legal – One of the World’s top ten mediators.
Bill Marsh receives high praise from peers with many proclaiming his “tremendous style”. He is described as “one of the best mediators in the UK”.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Bill Marsh “delivers a winning formula with great aplomb.” Instructing solicitors describe him as “tireless in looking for the angle which unlocks a dispute. He is a real gentleman,” who has “empathy with clients and a real ability to understand where they are coming from.” This has earned him a track record of resolving a broad range of contractual, company, IT, IP and commercial fraud disputes, both domestically and internationally.
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
“After becoming a full-time mediator in 1991, Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators has established himself as one of the leading names in the market. The past year has seen a particular emphasis on international disputes, with claims involving a broad spread of countries including several West African and Balkan states. Highlights included a transatlantic pharmaceutical claim worth around £1bn”.
2012 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Who's Who Legal – One of the World’s top ten mediators.
Legal 500 Directory- Top ranked
Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators is considered “one of the best” in the market, and his practice has a very strong international dimension. He has been involved in full-time mediation since 1991, and the high value and complexity of some of the disputes he is asked to mediate is reflective of his reputation in the market.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Marsh has an excellent mediation practice, both domestically and internationally. Sources endorse his “affable” style, noting that he is “keen and willing to broker a deal, all the while ensuring neither party feels forced.”
Lawyer, multi-million pound negligence claim
“My sincere thanks to Bill Marsh for the excellent role that he performed last week in helping the parties to reach a settlement. I really thought that Bill was first class, measured in his approach and immediately gained the trust and confidence of my client. He will be top of my list for future mediations and I will giving this feedback to my colleagues at [international law firm]”.
2011 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – Top ranked
Seen as something of a mediation pioneer, Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators is widely considered to be one of the most accomplished “top-rank” mediators in the market. Since going into full-time mediation in 1991, Marsh has been involved in a number of mediations that have been in the public domain, including the dispute between Dame Shirley Porter and Westminster City Council, and also the disputed takeover of Brighton & Hove Albion FC. As well as domestic mediations he is also involved in numerous major international cases, including a recent £1bn transatlantic pharmaceuticals dispute.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Marsh remains “right at the top of the tree” for mediation…“He is subtle, intelligent, approachable and always extremely focussed on the issues in hand”.
2010 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – Top ranked
A highly experienced mediator, credited with “an easy manner” and “a facilitative approach”. Clients find that he is “well prepared”, and able to tackle “even the most arcane of pensions disputes”. Stylewise, Marsh is a facilitator who resists “imposing himself” on proceedings, but shows “absolute commitment” to getting a deal.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
The international dimension of Marsh’s practice has expanded, having undertaken more transatlantic and pan-European mediations, including a substantial claim exceeding USD1 billion. His calm, patient approach means he is “terrific at standing back and analysing every angle,” and clients commend his “ability to conjure up alternative and practical solutions.”
2009 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – top ranked
Described as “experienced, personable, and well prepared”, he is an “excellent shuttle diplomat”. He swiftly “generates an atmosphere of trust” and “puts a lot of effort into listening”. He remains “calm and in control in a crisis”, and is “able to identify and deal with the real points in contention to defuse the most acrimonious disputes.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Marsh is renowned as a leading commercial mediator…Marsh’s tenacity is something that marks him out as a top mediator among clients: “He is not only a very fine mediator but also someone who will work and work and work until the job’s done – when other people would give up, he still keeps at it and is usually successful.”
2008 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 Directory – Top ranked
Bill Marsh of Independent Mediators is “a superb mediator”: he has “obvious intelligence” and an ability to remain “calm and in control in a crisis”. Clients applaud his ability to “identify and deal with the real points in contention and to defuse them”, “helping the parties explore where a settlement might be achieved and putting the technical or emotional baggage aside”. In short, he “brings a practicality to a problem and creates an atmosphere where clients trust him implicitly”.
Chambers Directory - Top ranked
“Patience, flexibility and persuasiveness” are three attributes that confirm Marsh’s position in the upper echelons of the UK mediation hierarchy… [he] is known for “doing remarkable things with extremely tough cases.”
2007 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – Top ranked
Bill Marsh is “a natural”. He combines an “assured reading of the law” with “robustness” and “commercial flair”. An amiable and engaging personality allows him to push parties without alienating them; lawyers praise his ability to sustain dialogue, “bring people together” and challenge parties without embarrassing them.
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
Marsh is recommended as a full-time “first-rate” mediator. He receives acclaim from peers and clients who describe his “fluid style” in commercial disputes. They accrue particular benefit from his “willingness to challenge parties”. Marsh mediates between shareholders and handles a large number of civil fraud cases. IP forms a growing part of his practice and he is known “to get results” in this area”.
2006 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – Top ranked
Bill Marsh… “wins plaudits from clients in many sectors. Clients are keen to recommend him.”
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“An extremely clever and engaging mediator, who builds up a good rapport with the parties, while demonstrating sound commercial knowledge… Clients unanimously acknowledge him as a ‘persuasive facilitator of a settlement’”.
2005 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“Compassionate and wise”, “Straightforward and commercial”
2004 FEEDBACK SELECTION
Legal 500 – Top ranked
“Strongly recommended for major commercial mediations.”
Chambers Directory – Top ranked
“One of the greats”, “Charming, sensible and realistic”, “An experienced player known for his ‘great and gentle’ style”, “Knows how to deal with the non-legal issues as well”, “Rated for his excellent reality-testing and risk analysis”, “Clients are particularly impressed by his ability to handle high emotions”.
Client feedback over various years
“It was a pleasure to work with you” - Lawyer, European motor racing dispute
“Thought that Bill was great… fantastically on top of the documentation…He understood the human issues on the claimant’s side and was very sensitive. Understood financial aspects, as well as legal aspects” - Lawyer, largest medical negligence claim in UK history
“Thank you for your extremely hard work yesterday in resolving the financial obstacle between the parties at the mediation” - Lawyer, UK commercial fraud claim
“Bill was excellent. I have seen him mediate before and was impressed again. He has an excellent touch, firm, calm, courteous and trustworthy. He has a great combination of elements and controls the day with ease. I will use him again” - In-house counsel, re-insurance dispute
“Expressing my appreciation for the way in which you conducted the mediation. It really was remarkable how such a bitter dispute was resolved in such a satisfactory way” - Lawyer, shareholder dispute
“…Very good… patient…”
“…extremely impressed…(and) now a bit of a mediation convert… having been (before the mediation) a bit sceptical about how effective it would be in a civil fraud case…”
“…Thought Bill Marsh was excellent – he had a very hard job to do, dealt with everyone very fairly, took time to go through everything with them and was very thorough…”
“…glowing reports of the mediator…”
“…Thought Bill was excellent and did a good job.” Parties and lawyers, 9 party commercial fraud case
“The negotiation phase was when he really got into his own… and was most effective”
“Bill was brilliant” - Lawyers, multi-party, multi-million pound acquisition warranty dispute
“Most of the credit for the settlement must go to you for your skilful handling of the parties. Thank you for your patience and perseverance…I am certain that we would not have got there without your very significant contribution” - Lawyers, US$53 million international fraud claim
“Very pleased with Bill Marsh. He had a strong ability to keep things moving, and always kept calm in the face of strong-minded parties on either side. This did not appear to phase him and he kept things moving along at a good pace” - Lawyer, multi-million pound credit-trading dispute
“I write to say how impressed I was by your mediation skills…From being somewhat sceptical about the mediation process, I have become a convert and will be recommending you to my colleagues” - Counsel, share option and employment dispute
“Thank you for your skilful handling of the mediation and for your success in guiding the parties to an entente cordiale” - Paris-based lawyer, international multi-million pound IT dispute
“Thank you for all your efforts in bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion from both sides point of view. It was something of an unusual case which, without your skill and judgment, had the potential to go horribly wrong…my clients have specifically asked me to thank you” - Lawyer, international banking claim
“I do not believe that the settlement would have been achieved without your skilful, persistent and patient intervention” - Lawyer, 6 party pension fund dispute
“[Our client] is very pleased to have settled the claim and most impressed with your help in achieving that” - Lawyer, professional negligence/banking claim
“I am in no doubt that your input, ideas and energy helped to keep the parties talking throughout a difficult and challenging day (and evening, and night!). We will certainly look for an opportunity to work with you again as a mediator” - Lawyer, world-wide trademark infringement dispute
“Your tenacity was much appreciated and was a major contributor to us resolving the matter” - Lawyer, shareholders action
“Our clients [a major corporation] were very impressed and believe me [they] are very hard to please! They commented on a number of occasions just how good they thought you were” - Lawyer, multi-million pound international
Bill's mediation practice covers a wide range of areas, and over the last 35 years he has mediated disputes in almost every area of law and business. Parties tend to be private and public corporations, local and national governments, professional firms, public authorities and individuals, but also pressure groups and factions.
Bill has exceptional experience in Investor/State mediation.
Examples of the fields covered include: Banking, commercial contract cases, commercial fraud, company/shareholders, construction and Engineering, employment, IT, Insurance/reinsurance, intellectual Property, national and local government, medical negligence, partnerships, pensions, personal injury, political, product liability, professional negligence, regulatory, shipping, sport. Business sectors involved include: Aerospace, Engineering, Agriculture, Airports, Automotive, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals Business (& Consumer) Services, Clothing & Fashion, Communications, Construction, Creative & Media, Defence & Military, Education & Training, Electronics, Engineering, Environment, Financial Services, Food & Drink, Games, Healthcare & Medical, Information Communication Technology, Insurance and Reinsurance, Legal Services, Leisure & Tourism, Marine, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Mining, Oil & Gas, Ports & Logistics, Power, Public-Private Partnerships, Railways, Research & Development, Science & Technology, Security, Sports & Leisure Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Water & Other Utilities
Please enquire to Bill's office.
Independent Mediators - www.independentmediators.co.uk
International Academy of Mediators - Distinguished Fellow
Abu Dhabi Global Market Arbitration Centre - Investor State Mediator
Russian Centre for Mediation and Law - Panel Mediator
Ukraine Business Mediation Centre - Advisory Board
Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators (International)
Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (International)
Fellow, Civil Mediation Council, UK
ICC Mediator (Paris and international)
CPR International Mediator, New York, USA
International Mediator Panel, Singapore Mediation Centre Mediator, Singapore
Singapore International Mediation Institute, Certified Mediator, Singapore
Panel Mediator, Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Panel Mediator, Court of Arbitration for Sport
Panel Mediator, Court of Arbitration for Art
Panel Mediator, Russian Centre for Mediation and Law
CEDR Accredited Mediator, London, UK
MATA Advanced Mediator Accreditation, London, UK
Solicitor and Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Available on request
Please also see feedback section above
CEDR-accredited 1993
MATA advanced mediator training 2004
Bill has trained literally thousands of people in mediation and mediation skills, both to basic and advanced levels.
As a founder trainer at CEDR, he helped develop their mediation training course. Since then he has gone on to develop his own bespoke courses and train extensively on the international circuit, including in UK, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Hong Kong, Australia, and the US. He has also trained mediators for ICC in Paris. He has delivered mediation training for mediators, judges, lawyers, business people, and government officials.
He is a regular speaker at international mediation conferences and events.
- "The ADR Practice Guide - Commercial Dispute Resolution" - published by Tottel (UK), 3rd edition 2007
- Contributing author of "Mediators on Mediation" - published Tottel (UK), 2005
- Numerous articles.
- Editor, Mediation World
- Contributing Editor, Kluwer Mediation Blog.
Independent Mediators Code of Professional Conduct
EU Code of Conduct.
IMI Professional Conduct Assessment Process
Independent Mediators Professional Complaints Process
Markel International Insurance Company Limited
£10,000,000