Chambers and Partners UK, 2018: Intellectual Property

Powell Gilbert LLP is in Band 1 for Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation

Simon Ayrton is a leading individual recommended for IP/General

Penny Gilbert, Tim Powell, Zoë Butler, Alex Wilson, and Ari Laakkonen are leading individuals recommended for IP/Patent Litigation

What the team is known for One of the best patent litigation practices in the world. A comprehensive IP practice which advises on the protection and commercialisation of all core rights. Regularly instructed to handle the most cutting edge of life sciences and hi-tech disputes.

Strengths A client says: "The team is excellent - highly skilled, professional, easy to work with and rock solid."
A source says: "The team is very hands-on and very impressive at keeping on top of everything."

Notable practitioners 

Penny Gilbert is a leading life sciences patent litigator with experience handling licensing disputes, infringement claims and revocation attempts. She is qualified as a solicitor advocate and as a mediator. Sources say: "She has great knowledge and experience, is very easy to work with and provides a great balance of creativity and pragmatism."

Tim Powell is a patent litigator sought after for his assistance with cutting-edge telecommunications and life sciences disputes. Sources remark on his "great technical ability and smooth and powerful litigation case management."

Simon Ayrton represents luxury brands in brand enforcement actions including anti-counterfeiting campaigns and parallel import litigation. He also assists with patent infringement claims and licensing disputes.

Zoë Butler concentrates mainly on telecommunications and life sciences patent litigation. Interviewees say she "impresses enormously" because she "has extremely good judgement and is very bright."

Ari Laakkonen is well known for his handling of hi-tech and telecommunications patent litigation and also advises on copyright, design and trade mark disputes. A client says: "He is a very smart lawyer in terms of viewing which arguments will work from legal and technical perspectives."

The "very creative and smart" Alex Wilson is a "pragmatic" litigator who has deep technical expertise and experience handling hi-tech patent disputes. He is also recommended for contentious copyright matters.