The Legal 500

This boutique intellectual property litigation practice is dedicated to serving knowledge, technology and brands-based industries. Comprehensive expertise is provided in patents, trade marks, copyright, design rights, confidential information, passing off and related areas.

The firm: Established in 2007, Powell Gilbert has grown rapidly and is recognised as one of the UK’s leading IP law firms. Its lawyers include some of the leading practitioners in the field, most having technical backgrounds. Combined with their wealth of experience and practical know-how, they are able to grasp issues quickly, without wasting time, and provide practical, commercial solutions for clients. The firm prides itself on its expertise, effectiveness, knowledge, and achieving the best possible result for clients.

The Powell Gilbert team has experience right across the spectrum of IP litigation, gained from acting in cases across a wide range of technologies and industries. This experience ranges from acting in the earliest biotechnology patent cases, to advising on complex telecoms disputes, to enforcing trade mark rights against counterfeit goods in the fashion and luxury goods sectors.

Types of work undertaken: The firm has litigated cases involving products as diverse as mobile phones, DNA microarrays, computer software, pharmaceutical blockbusters, petrochemicals, semi-conductors, perfume and razorblades. It has represented clients in the UK Patents Courts, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords (now the Supreme Court), and the European Court of Justice. It has assisted in cases before many overseas courts, including in continental Europe, Scandinavia, the US, Australia and Japan. Powell Gilbert is frequently involved in European Patent Office opposition proceedings and in representing clients before the UK and European trade mark registries.

The practice also offers counselling and advice on IP issues generally, including freedom to operate and IP due diligence, FRAND issues, lifecycle management, anti-counterfeiting and parallel import strategies, as well as database rights and confidential information.

While highly experienced in litigation, the firm looks for the option of alternative dispute resolution where appropriate. Its team includes qualified mediators and many of its lawyers have represented clients in arbitration proceedings relating to disputed technology contracts. If court proceedings are unavoidable, the firm can offer solicitor advocacy services as appropriate to the case.

Many of the cases with which the firm is involved have multi-jurisdictional aspects and Powell Gilbert is used to working in, and often co-ordinating, multinational teams. It has a wealth of contacts with other law firms and individuals specialising in IP and is able to recommend those with the most relevant expertise to assist with issues abroad. Equally, the practice is happy to work alongside its clients’ chosen firms to achieve effective and consistent management of IP issues.

Number of UK partners 8
Number of other UK fee-earners 23