One Essex Court

Alaina specialises in intellectual property. She has been involved in a number of complex cases working as part of a team in the CAT, High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as advising and appearing in cases as sole counsel. In addition to litigation, she also has experience of international arbitration

Before coming to the bar, Alaina practised as a litigation solicitor in Australia (Blake Dawson Waldron, now Ashurst LLP) and in the UK (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and TSol). She qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia in 2006.

A few highlights of Alaina’s practice over the last two years include:

Wright & Wright International Investments Limited v Payward, Inc; Payward, Ltd; and Payward Ventures, Inc: led by Philip Roberts KC and acting for the Defendants who were successful in this claim for passing off in relation to the digital asset “Bitcoin”. There were various applications made in the Claim (see [2023] EWHC 1893 (Ch) and [2023] EWHC 1894 (Ch)).  The final judgment can be found at [2024] EWHC 1809.

B&Q Limited v Wren Kitchens Limited: led by Emma Himsworth KC and acting for the Claimants in this claim concerning comparative advertising.

Ladbrokes Betting and Gaming Limited & LC International Limited v Blockchain Game Partners, Inc & Gala Labs Limited: led by Emma Himsworth KC and acting for the Claimants in this claim concerning trade mark infringement.

Easygroup Ltd v Premier Inn Hotels Limited: led by Emma Himsworth KC and acting for the Defendants in this trade mark infringement claim.  The trial of the matter was dealt with by another junior, while Alaina was on sabbatical (see [2025] EWHC 2229 (Ch)).

In addition, Alaina frequently appears in the IPO. A few examples of recent IPO decisions in matters where Alaina has acted as sole Counsel include:

“CERAD” Case O/0328/25: A successful appeal to the Appointed Person from the decision in the below case.

“CERAD” Case O/0922/23: Opposition proceedings in the IPO concerning the rights in the mark “CERAD”

“iPhone” BL/0781/24: successfully applied to strike out two cancellation actions as an abuse of process.

“PetTrak” O/0793/24: Opposition proceedings in the IPO.

“AFTV” O/0877/23: Opposition proceedings in the IPO concerning the rights in the mark “AFTV”. This involved cross-examination in the Registry.

“TRIFOX” O/0524/23: Opposition and invalidation proceedings in the IPO.

“ARIA” O/0455/23: Opposition proceedings in the IPO.

Called 2012, Gray’s Inn; judicial assistant to the Honourable Justice Steytler, president of the Court of Appeal of the Court of Western Australia 2004-06; admitted as a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia 2006; admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales 2010; practised in England as a foreign qualified solicitor and then as a solicitor qualified in England and Wales 2008-11; tutor in contract law, Kings College London 2010-12.

University of Western Australia (2004 BA, LLB (First Class)); University of Oxford, Magdalen College (2007 BCL (Distinction)).