Department profile
Lewis Silkin

Intellectual Property

UK Guide 2026 : Northern Ireland

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Lewis Silkin

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About

Provided by Lewis Silkin

Following our merger with Lewis Silkin in January 2022 (previously Forde Campbell) we have seen significant change and growth. With Forde Campbell’s local reputation, we are known as one of Northern Ireland’s leading advisers to local start-ups, major UK and Irish companies, as well as overseas investors.

Lawyers in the commercial team advise on IP law, advising clients in the UK, EU and US servicing Northern Irish, UK, EU and US client on a range of global IP issues. The work divides between:

  • IP protection - the team has its own trademark and design right registration service and IP licensing
  • IP asset related transactions - advising on IP asset management, assignments, licensing, acquisition and disposal transactions
  • IP defence and prosecution – the firm’s IP litigation department defends and prosecutes IP rights for clients

The IP team is known for:

  • Its ability to understand the commercial value and importance of IP to the firm’s clients, allowing our lawyers to quickly evaluate the commercial context in which any particular IP related instruction arise.
  • The multi-disciplinary skills each lawyer can bring to a particular negotiation. In particular, Mathew Forde uses experience from over 25 years to advise clients on brand launches, content release and publication.

Client sectors include: manufacturing/design/creative; software development; digital games; luxury goods; media; food industry; manufacturing; publishers; business support services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - Northern Ireland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Lewis Silkin offers high-quality advice on commercial IP arrangements and has strong sector expertise with regard to IT, media and entertainment. It frequently represents clients in litigation and IP-driven corporate and capital markets transactions.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lewis Silkin advised skincare brand BIO-OIL in High Court litigation relating to brand protection and the manufacture and importation of counterfeit goods produced in China.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lewis Silkin are well prepared, knowledgeable and able to respond quickly. They are very aware and conscious of commercial aspects.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

  • Lewis Silkin are very well versed in the multi-jurisdictional trademarking world, particularly involving challenges coming from Europe. The depth and breadth of their team is very strong.

    Intellectual Property respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Mathew Forde
    Mathew Forde

    Mathew Forde

    Mathew Forde is frequently called on by clients in the design, manufacturing, retail and food industries for commercial IP and brand enforcement matters.

    • Mathew is a very good litigator; he is very experienced in IP.

      Intellectual Property respondentUK

    • Mathew is very, very thorough and proactive; the meetings are always very well prepared.

      Intellectual Property respondentUK

    • Mathew Forde is hard-working, knowledgeable, client-focused and practical.

      Intellectual Property respondentUK
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  • Rory Campbell
    Rory Campbell

    Rory Campbell

    Rory Campbell has a prominent reputation for his dual IP and IT sector practice. He is frequently instructed to coordinate the protection of IP rights overseas.
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Ranked Individuals at Lewis Silkin (2)

Northern Ireland

Members

Provided by Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin has rankings in the following guides

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