Melanie Willems

Melanie Willems, chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group in the London office, is experienced in all forms of alternative dispute resolution including expert determination, mediation, and adjudication. Clients benefit from Melanie’s extensive experience in ad hoc proceedings and the major international rules, such as ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ICSID, as well as standard form contract rules. She also represents clients in the English courts and sits as an arbitrator.

Melanie acts for clients in a range of industries, including engineering, energy, construction, rail, infrastructure/transport, hospitality and hotels, retail, property development, banking and finance, technology, and insurance. She has particular experience in contractual disputes arising from energy, major projects, and engineering matters. Clients seek Melanie’s counsel on international projects disputes in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and India in relation to foreign investments, power plants, renewable energy, desalination plants, petrochemical plants, oil rigs, pipelines, hotels, roads/highways, hospitals, transport, and government projects.

Melanie is a ranked lawyer in the international arbitration practice area of Chambers UK, 2023-2024 (Chambers and Partners). The guide notes that Melanie “demonstrates particular skill in the energy and construction sectors. She frequently acts as both counsel and arbitrator in a range of disputes.” Chambers UK 2020 also praises Melanie as "extremely bright and very passionate about her clients' needs" and “particularly proficient in representing clients in the oil and gas sector in commercial and projects disputes.”

Melanie is also recognised in the International Arbitration section of the The Legal 500 UK 2023-2024 (Legalease), on their elite list of leading individuals. The directory describes Melanie as “exceptionally driven, energetic and able to anticipate what clients want.” She is also included in The Legal 500 “International Arbitration Powerlist” published June 2023 (Legalease), which showcases 200 of the UK’s leading practitioners working in law firms and the Bar.

Melanie is a prolific writer and speaker, and lectures frequently on topics related to international arbitration and various forms of dispute resolution, in the UK and abroad.