Patent actions in England come to trial in a relatively short time (typically less than a year) and under the streamlined procedure sometimes invoked, often significantly faster than that. It is essential to have a legal team which can provide the detailed technical and legal knowledge and the resources to deal with complex and demanding litigation on an accelerated timetable.
Herbert Smith was the first major commercial firm to set up a dedicated patents practice and now, some 40 years later, we remain at the forefront of this increasingly important area. We have a team of partners and associates many of whom have scientific or technical backgrounds and qualifications, and who regularly handle the biggest and most important disputes and transactions both nationally and internationally. Many members of our team are qualified solicitor advocates.
We act for some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and industrial companies. We deal with technology which is literally at the leading edge of scientific knowledge (for example the human genome project) and we pride ourselves on giving commercial advice which enables our clients to maximise the efficient exploitation of their technology.
We have handled patent cases in a wide range of technical disciplines including for example: automotive engineering, avionics, biotechnology, comparative advertising, computer graphics and imaging, data compression, digital electronics, genetic engineering, microprocessor design, mobile telephony, pharmaceuticals, printing, satellite broadcasting, sonar systems, telecommunications, television, undersea pipelines and vaccines.
We have particular expertise in running and co-ordinating multi-jurisdictional litigation where patent rights are challenged and/or infringed in parallel proceedings in separate countries.
"excellent at patent dispute handling and counselling"
Chambers UK 2008
"Clients appreciate the firm’s ability to handle cross-border issues, while the team’s proficiency in litigation also receives high praise."
Chambers UK 2008
"a team which pharmaceutical clients say is ‘very strong’ and ‘our first choice for patent cases in the UK’"
UK Legal 500 2007