“Bristows is the complete package.”
LEGAL 500 2025
Directory recognition and core strengths
Consistently recognised in leading legal directories, our team brings together technical capability across scientific and engineering disciplines with deep experience in complex patent disputes. Much of our work involves litigation before the English Patents Court and the Unified Patent Court (UPC), supported by systems that allow us to manage large and technically demanding matters efficiently.
Team size and technical capability
More than 40 lawyers focus exclusively on patent litigation, including partners and associates with advanced scientific and engineering backgrounds. This depth of technical knowledge enables the team to act in some of the most refined and sophisticated areas of patent law. Our success rate in UK litigation is unparalleled – currently exceeding 75% in trials in the English Patents Court. There is good reason that we are described as the “go-to firm for clients wishing to litigate at the UK patent courts” (JUVE 2024).
Individual recognition and international standing
The team is consistently ranked at the highest level across major legal directories, with more recognised individuals than any other European practice. Many have also gained international recognition at the highest level, an indication that the team’s role in handling patent disputes has no borders.
Collaborative expertise across related disciplines
Our expertise in patent disputes is complemented by frequent collaboration with colleagues in closely related areas such as life sciences regulatory work and competition law. This interdisciplinary approach often leads to innovative solutions in complex and technically demanding matters.
International patent litigation and UPC expertise
Around half of the team’s work relates to international litigation, in both coordination and support roles. In the evolving European patent litigation landscape, clients seeking the very best choose Bristows as part of a bench of top-rated firms. Having 17 lawyers qualified as UPC representatives, Bristows is actively participating in UPC proceedings both on our own and in collaboration with lawyers from other countries.
Technical expertise in UK patent litigation
In the UK, the level of technical detail required in High Court patent litigation demands a team with both scientific understanding and extensive trial experience. Our lawyers act in disputes involving biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, software and other highly technical fields, supported by significant experience in FRAND and SEP matters.
Litigation, mediation and resolution of patent disputes
Whilst highly successful in high-stakes litigation and arbitration (the latter often in conjunction with colleagues in the commercial & technology disputes team), the value of early and effective dispute resolution through alternative means is well recognised. The team is adept at mediation and settlement negotiations and has considerable experience of some of the rarer forms of ADR, including expert determination, offering comparatively inexpensive and binding solutions where appropriate.
