No. Many disputes are resolved before formal proceedings are issued. At the outset, we provide a clear assessment of the legal and commercial merits, then explore options such as without-prejudice negotiations and carefully framed correspondence.

Where appropriate, we use mediation or structured settlement meetings to achieve a confidential resolution. However, if court proceedings are necessary, we move quickly and decisively, ensuring that the prospect of litigation is used to support, rather than undermine, your commercial objectives.

We act across the full spectrum of contentious IP work. This includes patent infringement and validity actions, disputes over supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) and regulatory exclusivity, and FRAND/standard essential patent (SEP) issues.

We handle complex breach of confidence and trade secrets litigation, often involving highly technical know-how and multi-party contractual frameworks. For brands and creative rights, we conduct trade mark, design, copyright and passing-off litigation. We represent both rights holders and defendants, from early-stage innovators to global blue-chip companies, giving us realistic insight into how the other side is likely to approach a case.

Our patent litigation team combines seasoned lawyers and attorneys, many with deep technical backgrounds in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemistry, electronics, physics and engineering. We work closely with your R&D and in-house teams to understand the technology and the commercial drivers.

We then build a coherent technical and legal narrative, collaborating with carefully selected expert witnesses. Our patent attorneys contribute world-class prosecution and opposition expertise, ensuring that court strategy is aligned with EPO and UKIPO proceedings. This integrated approach is particularly valuable in cases involving complex validity and infringement arguments.

Yes. Many of our matters involve coordinated actions across Europe and beyond. We regularly work with trusted local counsel and in-house teams to design and implement a coherent cross-border strategy, ensuring that UK proceedings complement, rather than conflict with, actions in other jurisdictions or at the EPO.

We are accustomed to acting as lead counsel in major international disputes, managing complex project plans, differing procedural rules and time-zone challenges, while maintaining consistent legal and commercial messaging across all forums.

Yes. We have substantial experience before the Unified Patent Court. We have represented clients in
infringement, revocation and provisional measures proceedings, across multiple Local and Central Divisions and at the UPC Court of Appeal (before
both standing panels).

Our team has been closely involved in the UPC from the outset, giving us real-world insight into UPC procedures, risks, and evolving strategic considerations. We ensure that UPC actions are coordinated with national litigation and EPO oppositions. Please see here for further details.

We regularly act in complex breach of confidence, trade secret and technical contractual disputes, often involving departing employees, collaborators, suppliers or joint venture partners. Our blend of litigation expertise and technical understanding allows us to identify quickly what is genuinely confidential, what is already public and how best to frame the dispute.

We also handle technical contractual claims concerning R&D collaborations, licensing agreements and manufacturing/supply contracts, where IP ownership, performance obligations, change-control mechanisms and termination provisions are often in issue.

We help clients take control of disputes from the outset. Our strategic pre-litigation advice is designed to strengthen your position, manages risk and preserve the full range of commercial options.

Where formal action is required, we enforce and defend trade mark, design and copyright rights with a clear focus on what mattes to your business. We obtain urgent interim relief where necessary, coordinate marketplace and online takedowns, and pursue financial remedies and bespoke settlement outcomes. We also advise on customs enforcement measures to disrupt counterfeiting at the border.

We are regularly instructed in disputes involving lookalike products, counterfeiting, online infringement and wider brand reputation risks. Our clients include leading consumer and technology brands, designers, media and entertainment businesses and other rights holders whose reputation and market position demand robust protection.

Timing and cost depend on the court, the complexity of the issues and the approach taken by the parties. A straightforward IPEC claim may reach trial in around 9-12 months, whereas a substantial Patent Court action often takes 12 months or more. These are broad indications only and will depend on the court’s timetable and the complexity and urgency of the case. In appropriate circumstances, expedition can be sought to accelerate timetable to trial.

From the outset, we provide clear, realistic cost estimates and keep these under regular review as the case progresses. We always ensure that cost and risk remain proportionate to your commercial objectives.

Many IP disputes involve highly confidential technical and commercial information. We routinely put in place confidentiality regimes, including confidentiality clubs and carefully drafted redactions for sensitive documents and evidence.

Where public proceedings are not in your interests, we consider whether arbitration, mediation or other private dispute resolution mechanisms may be more suitable. Throughout, we work closely with you to strike the right balance between protecting confidentiality and advancing your case effectively.