Firm PROFILE
Appleyard Lees
UK 2026
Rankings
Leading firm in UK 2026
Ranked Department
Ranked Department
Ranked Individual
Ranked Individual
Top figures
23
Partners
5
Offices
1852
Established Year
Content provided by Appleyard Lees
Overview
Provided by Appleyard Lees
Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property (IP) law firm, with approximately eighty patent and trade mark attorneys and litigators. Having global reach and local knowledge, they are experts in patents, trade marks, IP strategy, designs, copyright, contentious proceedings and disputes.
With offices in UK innovation hotspots, Appleyard Lees is positioned to give clients expert strategic IP advice in the UK and across the globe.
Industry sectors (9)
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Electronics
- Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Pharmaceuticals
- Physics
- Software
Capabilities (8)
- Designs
- IP litigation
- IP strategy
- Patent filing, portfolio management and disputes
- Plant variety rights
- Trade marks
- Trade secrets strategy
- Transactional IP
Clients (15)
- ASDA
- Cancer Research UK
- Cambridge Enterprise
- Einride Autonomous
- GHD
- Gym King
- Hairburst
- JT International
- Oxa Autonomy
- PUMA
- Siemens
- Smith + Nephew
- TFG London/The Foschini Group
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
- Wella
Key people
Provided by Appleyard Lees
Bobby Smithson
Managing Partner
Richard Bray
Partner, Engineering and Physics Lead
Robert Cumming
Partner, Trade Marks and Litigation Lead
Jennifer Delaney
Partner, Chemistry Sector Lead
Barbara Fleck
Partner, Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Lead
Amritjot Jethwa
Partner, Head of IP Transactions
Beverley Robinson
Partner, Head of Designs
Dick Waddington
Partner, Software and Electronics Lead
Notable work
Provided by Appleyard Lees
Nador Cott Protection S.A.S. (NCP) v Asda Stores Ltd (Asda) (1) and International Procurement & Logistics Ltd (IPL) (2)
2026OngoingCambridge
We acted successfully for Asda in the UK's first claim for infringement of plant breeders’ rights brought to trial.
Played a key role in Oxa Autonomy’s Series D, helping secure $103m in funding.
2025Completed $103.0M Manchester
We delivered National Wealth Fund-commissioned IP due diligence on Oxa Autonomy’s IP position, helping them secure $103m
Registered the design rights of PUMA's 2025 Premier League Football
2025CompletedCambridge
This work followed the landmark announcement that PUMA would replace Nike as the official match ball supplier.
Ranked Offices at Appleyard Lees
Provided by Appleyard Lees
Ranked Departments at Appleyard Lees (1)
Ranked Individuals at Appleyard Lees (1)
North West
Chris Hoole
Intellectual Property
View profile
Top figures
23
Partners
5
Offices
1852
Established Year
Content provided by Appleyard Lees
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.