Robert Deacon > Chambers of Sir Geoffrey Cox KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Robert Deacon

Position

Robert is a practitioner of long-standing whose expertise covers the breadth of commercial, chancery and other litigation.

He has experience dealing with large class actions, civil fraud and asset tracing, professional negligence and disputes involving estate agents (in particular commission claims), confidential information, partnership, gambling, construction, insurance and sales of businesses.

He also has niche specialisms in all forms of intellectual property (including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright), media and entertainment and defamation and privacy.

Robert accepts instructions on a direct access basis in all these areas.

“Highly experienced and confidence-inspiring”, he is known as a forceful advocate with substantial experience both of trials as well as freezing and search orders and other interim remedies. The legal directories note his “terrific commercial understanding” as well as his “ability to communicate tough concepts in a simple way”.

Commercial litigation:

Robert has many years’ experience acting as trial advocate and advising in various commercial disputes and is well equipped to handle a wide variety of cases covering sales of businesses, joint venture disputes, gambling contracts, commission payments and theft of confidential information. He has a reputation as an effective team player.

Some of his recent experience includes:

• Richmond Pharmacology Ltd v Chester Overseas Ltd [2014] EWHC 2692 (Ch): multi-million pound claim in respect of the sale of a medical trials business.

• Chartwell Estate Agents v Fergies Properties [2014] EWCA Civ 506: dispute concerning commission payments on the sale of a very substantial London property.

• The Ritz Hotel Casino Ltd v Al Daher [2014] EWHC 2487 (QB): dispute concerning gambling debts resulting in a leading decision in gaming law.

• Nordic Insulated Doors v Land Resources Ltd [2014] EWHC 1093 Ch: dispute concerning a joint development agreement for a block of flats.

• Medical Innovations v Medlogiq [2014] EWHC 4626 Pat: claims concerning alleged theft of confidential information.

• Ingenious v Channing [2014]: claim involving a loan advanced as part of a now discredited tax avoidance scheme and a counterclaim to discharge the payment obligation under section 140B of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Civil fraud:

Civil fraud claims are a regular feature of many of the cases which Robert handles where his experience of obtaining emergency injunctions is particularly valued.

Some of his recent cases include:

• Medical Innovations v Medlogiq [2014] EWHC 4626: included claims for theft of data and misuse of confidential information.

• EDH Tennis v Lindebaum: claim against former employee for wrongful removal of confidential information.

• Napier Turbocharger v MGM: claim for misuse of confidential information.

• Do Buy: acted as lead counsel for claimant diamond dealer in a substantial claim against a high street bank for failing to honour payment in relation to a merchant services agreement. This was a ground-breaking case which considered many unexplored areas of law.

Intellectual property:

Robert holds a post-graduate diploma in intellectual law and practice and IP work is an important source of his instructions. Robert has expertise in all forms of IP including patents, trade marks, passing off, copyright, industrial design and confidential information. His extensive trial experience combined with expertise in IP uniquely equips him to deal with heavy commercial cases involving intellectual property issues.

He is co-author of “Privacy and Personality Rights – commercial exploitation and protection”.

Some of his recent cases include:

• Edge Interactive [2014] : trade mark appeal from the Registrar at the IPO.

• Napier Turbocharger v MGM & ors [2014]: claim relating to the manufacture of spare parts for turbochargers and involving claims for copyright infringement, infringement of database right and breach of confidence.

• Medical Innovations v Medlogiq [2014] EWHC 4626: entitlement claim in relation to patents and registered design right WHICH included claims for misuse of confidential information and a declaration of invalidity.

• Mastermailer v Everseal [2013] EWPCC 6: substantial patent action in respect of a selfseal mailer. Acted for the defendant resisting an application for a declaration of non-infringement and revocation of the patent.

• EDH Tennis v Lindebaum [2012]: claim for infringement of copyright and misuse of confidential information in relation to the computer software used in tracking devices at sports tournaments.

• Jean Christian Perfumes v Thakrar [2011] EWHC 1383 (Ch): acted as leading counsel for the defendant in trial involving the infringement of a Community Trade Mark (CTM). The case involved the construction of distribution agreements and the liability for the importation of perfumes from India into the UK. Robert also advised in relation to a substantial damages claim.

• Monster Vision v McKie [2011] EWHC 3772 (QB): acted for the defendant in a case in which an ex-parte injunction was obtained against a former director/employee. The claim was based on breach of confidence and of the terms of a contract of service and raised restraint of trade issues.

Media & Entertainment:

Media & Entertainment disputes increasingly involve a cross-over between IP, IT and contract law matters which makes Robert’s multi-disciplinary expertise particularly attractive.

He also has extensive experience of defamation and privacy claims and is lead author on “Privacy and Personality Rights – commercial exploitation and protection”. Much of his work is highly confidential.

He lectures on a regular basis on topics which have included privacy and image rights, performers’ rights, performers’ royalties, database rights and freedom of movement of goods.

His recent experience includes:

• The Ritz Hotel Ltd v Al Daher [2014] EWHC 2487 (QB): dispute concerning gambling debts resulting in a leading decision in gaming law.

• Dorset v Associated Music: Robert acted for the well-known 70’s artiste, Mungo Jerry, in respect of a claim for royalties against a former publisher. The claim was substantial and involved breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty and the imposition of a constructive trust.

• Choudhury: several defamation cases. Robert acted for a Bangladeshi Supreme Court judge claiming slander and defamation against various political opponents.

• Parm Sandhu v Mirror Group: Robert acted for a senior police woman in a libel action against MGN.

• Saiph Communications: claim involving VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and involves the construction of the agreement whereby the service was provided and the technical issues involved as to where the third party fraud occurred in respect of which each side has appointed independent IT experts.

• Dragonforce v Sanctuary: substantial royalties claim relating to a recording contract involving jurisdiction issues and issues over breach of fiduciary duty.

• IMC v Simran: multi-million pound claim in respect of the purchase of software expertise developing a digital distribution platform. The case involved the construction of the various agreements (including funding agreements) and the claims for infringement of the copyright in the software.

• Carlton Leisure: case involving proceedings against a radio airtime provider in respect of the allotment of media time for a Tamil radio programme. The claim involved the construction of the commercial agreement.

• Abstract Sounds/Archive Media/Plastic Head Distribution: Robert acted in respect of several claims involving distribution agreements of DVDs and various media. The claims involved the construction of distribution agreements and claims for passing off, copyright, database right etc.

• Mark James v Young Guns: Robert acted for the former manager claiming outstanding commission.

Recommendations:

• Robert has been recommended continuously as a leading junior by Legal 500 in Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, Defamation & Privacy and Media & Entertainment. Chambers UK also recommends him for Media & Entertainment.

• Legal 500 comments that he is “highly experienced and confidence inspiring, he is quick to respond and thorough in his approach” as well as the fact that “he’s really intelligent and gets right to the facts.” They note that “stands out for his client care abilities, unflappability and general enthusiasm” and that “he combines sound, practical knowledge with a common-sense approach”.

• Chambers UK mentions his “impressive record of handling royalty disputes” and that he “is one of the leading experts on the law regarding royalties from digital music sales”. They add that he is “highly experienced and confidence-inspiring, he is quick to respond and thorough in his approach”.

Education

LLB (Manchester)
Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law & Practice (Bristol)