Intellectual Property

Iain Purvis KC is one of the most sought-after silks at the IP Bar, and regarded as an extremely bright and effective barrister who provides adept representation in High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court proceedings. He is well known for his skill in trade mark litigation, and is also recommended for patent disputes involving hi-tech and pharmaceutical companies. His impressive roster of past clients also features household names from various other industries, including entertainment.

"One of the best IP silks at the Bar. Iain is magisterial."

"Iain is really sharp and a great strategic thinker, especially on difficult cases."

"Iain has a great manner with judges, speaking concisely and persuasively."

"He is a real heavyweight, especially on appeals. Iain has very good judgement and exceptional advocacy."

Brian Nicholson KC is a razor-sharp and thorough silk recommended for his abilities assisting with hi-tech patent litigation proceedings involving telecommunications companies. His expertise encompasses cases concerning invalidation and infringement actions. His other areas of experience include Community design right disputes and pharmaceutical patent work. Sources highlight his deep knowledge in the field of electronics.

"I rate Brian extremely highly, not just for technical ability but for commercial good sense and strategy."

"Brian is very hands-on and very good with clients in complex cases. He has top-notch knowledge and is able to cut through the noise."

"Brian is a strong and hard-working advocate."

Kathryn Pickard is an impressive IP barrister offering substantial experience acting for medical device, pharmaceutical and engineering companies. Her experience includes instructions in key patent infringement claims and revocation actions, and she has additional expertise in trade mark disputes. She has acted in multiple high-profile appellate proceedings, including before the Supreme Court.

"Kathryn is a joy to work with. She is proactive, thoughtful and very collaborative."

"Kathryn is very easy to work with, clever and quick to respond. Her advocacy is calm and convincing."

"I trust her innately. Kathryn is great - she is operating at the top of her game."

"Kathryn is witty and smart. She distils legal points and has a very persuasive manner."

Mark Vanhegan KC is a knowledgeable silk highlighted for his client care skills, his practical advice and the strength of his courtroom advocacy. He is known for his abilities in handling high-profile TMT patent disputes, and is also fully conversant in claims of design right and trade mark infringement. He has additionally developed a strong practice in the pharmaceutical industry.

"Mark is the most effective cross-examiner I have seen and a real team player."

"Mark is a very versatile and personable silk with well-structured arguments."

"A highly regarded silk."

Piers Acland KC is a hands-on and very approachable silk, highlighted for his client care skills, his strategic guidance and the quality of his courtroom advocacy, particularly in cross-examination. Interviewees appreciate his superior attention to detail in highly technical cases. He is sought after for his experience representing life sciences companies in high-value patent litigation, including infringement claims and invalidation attempts.

"Piers is highly recommended. He is an excellent cross-examiner with a really forensic approach."

"A silk who ferociously fights his client's corner and digs down into details. Piers is a passionate advocate."

"Piers is extremely thorough and a real pleasure to work with."

"Piers is great on the details and for thinking analytically."

Adam Gamsa is a technically-minded barrister who is prominent in the field of patent infringement claims. He has acted in numerous cases before the Patents Court and the Court of Appeal, and has demonstrated significant expertise in FRAND licensing matters.

"Adam is very responsive and really easy to work with. He shows skills in preparation and advocacy that go beyond his call."

"One of the most technically qualified juniors in the TMT space. Adam is extremely hard-working and diligent."

Hugo Cuddigan KC is a commercially minded silk distinguished for his tactical ability, work ethic and user-friendliness. He is comfortable handling litigation involving pharmaceutical, mechanical and hi-tech patents. He has acted in high-profile trade mark infringement cases. He provides effective representation in IPEC and Court of Appeal proceedings and is experienced in EU matters, including contested Community design rights.

"Hugo is laser-focused. He is so clever, sharp and to the point."

"Hugo is an astute listener and a very strategic thinker. He applies his mind to the most complex of problems in a logical and clear manner."

"He is very user-friendly, commercial and great with clients."

Michael Silverleaf KC is an authoritative IP silk renowned for his oral presentation and his tenacious advocacy. He has substantial experience assisting with trade mark and patent litigation matters, including infringement, invalidation, passing-off and Swiss-type medical use claims. He practises in diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals and technology.

"Michael is extremely clever, thorough, and his cross-examination is formidable. He really is the difference between winning and losing a case."

Tom Alkin is a quick-thinking and forthright barrister praised for his courtroom presentation and noted for his expertise in IPEC as well as Court of Appeal proceedings. He is particularly effective in patent litigation involving life sciences and technology sector clients, with expertise in revocation and invalidation claims. He also has experience assisting with trade mark invalidation actions, design right infringement claims and royalties disputes.

"Tom is very thoughtful, extremely hard-working and diligent. He has top-rate advocacy and great judgement."

"Tom is a first-rate legal mind and a standout advocate. He inspires confidence and displays confidence under fire."

"An excellent advocate. Tom Alkin is intelligent and can be trusted to deliver."

Benet Brandreth KC is an efficient, pragmatic and responsive silk recommended for his commercial advice. He enjoys a strong reputation for trade mark and copyright infringement disputes and has recently been active in licensing disputes involving life sciences companies. He also has experience in litigation concerning mechanical patents. He has acted in appellate trade mark-related proceedings in the Supreme Court and in Luxembourg.

"Benet is a very impressive and persuasive advocate as well as being on top of all the details."

Chris Aikens is well liked by instructing solicitors, with a good reputation for IPEC proceedings and contentious design rights matters. He is also noted for his assistance with patent entitlement disputes, Community trade mark infringement claims and allegations of passing off. He has acted in a number of matters that concern the misuse of confidential information. He has also advised in relation to Supreme Court intervention and represented his clients in LCIA arbitration proceedings.

"Chris becomes part of the team. He is very hard-working and client-friendly, switched on for the academic and practical sides of the legal issues."

"Chris is great on his feet; he is unshakeable. He offers commercial advice calmly and is a pleasure to deal with."

"A fantastic barrister who is very analytical and and has very measured and persuasive advocacy - it's an art."

Christopher Hall is highly recommended for design right, copyright and trade mark infringement claims. He is praised for his work in mechanical and electronic patent litigation and frequently assists in the IPEC, Patents Court and appellate courts. He counts multinational giants and household names among the clients he has advised and represented.

"Christopher is always available with commercially and legally accurate advice. A trusted adviser who we turn to for strategic guidance on the most complex matters."

"He is a great advocate and a very sensible pair of hands."

"Christopher is very user-friendly, bright and a clear communicator."

David Ivison is a barrister with a strong scientific background. His broad IP practice encompasses patent claims in the life sciences and TMT spaces, as well as trade mark, passing-off and copyright cases.

"He is efficient and highly capable, particularly in technical issues."

Kyra Nezami is a particularly adept junior barrister with a technical background in computer science. She is praised for her capabilities in handling technical patent litigation and demonstrates such capabilities with her high-profile caseload acting for various tech giants.

"Kyra is clearly a rising star of the junior IP Bar."

"Kyra is very knowledgeable about the subject matter and excellent both in writing and on her feet."

Edward Cronan has a reputable patent litigation practice. He is renowned for his strength in handling technically challenging patent cases, representing life sciences and TMT clients.

"Ed Cronan is a real star. He is very good at getting into the weeds and coming up with brilliant arguments."

Mitchell Beebe is a fast-rising junior barrister who has developed substantial experience representing pharmaceutical clients in patent disputes before the UK IPO, EUIPO and other forums. He has a broad intellectual property practice which extends beyond patents to trade marks, designs, copyrights and confidential information.

"Mitchell is a very strong and capable junior with a really good work ethic."

Anna Edwards-Stuart KC is highlighted for her responsiveness, pragmatic advice and strong written opinion work. She has experience of invalidation and infringement actions relating to patents and trade marks. She is regularly instructed by life sciences companies and draws praise for her work in cases concerning design right infringements. She is an authority on IPEC proceedings.

"Anna is great: very user-friendly, clever and confident."

"Anna is very easy to work with and very calm under pressure."

"Anna is a fearless advocate and an excellent team player who works exceedingly hard."