Richard Roberts
Richard is an expert in intellectual property (IP) litigation, with a particular emphasis on complex, high-value disputes. His clients range from global enterprises in the engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors to household names in the automotive and creative industries.
Richard advises across the full spectrum of IP rights. Many of his cases are international in nature, requiring coordination of opposition and enforcement proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.
Within the UK, he has successfully represented clients in a variety of tribunals, including the High Court, Court of Appeal, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). He has extensive experience with emergency procedures, including interim injunctions and proprietary and non-proprietary freezing orders, as well as making and defending appeals from the UKIPO to the High Court.
With a scientific background and experience of a wide range of technologies, Richard is well placed to advise on disputes involving technically complex subject matter. Beyond patent litigation, he is widely recognised in the fashion and luxury retail sectors, and regularly speaks on issues such as anti-counterfeiting, parallel importation and comparative advertising.
- Acting at the forefront of some of the UK’s most significant IP cases in recent years
- Receiving multiple Impact Case of the Year awards from Managing IP for both patent and trade mark litigation, in recognition of his innovative and commercial approach
- Obtaining the Court of Appeal’s endorsement of a novel form of declaratory relief in a first-of-its-kind case in the industrial chemistry sector. A decision with far-reaching implications for parties seeking market access through complex patent thickets
- CEDR Accredited Mediator
- Postgraduate Diploma, Intellectual Property Law and Practice, University of Bristol
- Diploma, Legal Practice, University of West England
- BSc, Chemistry and Law, University of Bristol
- Associate member, Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
- Associate member, Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA)
- Sits on the Copyright and Designs Committee within CITMA
- Potter Clarkson representative on the Intellectual Property Lawyers Association
Richard provides fantastic advice and insight; his strategic vision really made the difference for us.
Roberts is another seasoned litigator with extensive experience representing patrons across various forums. He is distinguished by his ability to craft clever litigation strategies that prioritise achieving business-driven outcomes.
Super-intelligent and commercially savvy.
Equipped with a chemistry degree, Roberts is a smart choice for clients seeking technical acumen as well as legal know-how.
Richard Roberts is very good at client service and a good strategist.
- Chambers and Partners
- IAM Patent 1000: Litigation
- Legal 500: Leading Partner
- MIP IP STARS: Notable Practitioner
- WTR 1000: Enforcement & Litigation
About Richard
Experience
Areas of expertise
Qualifications
Testimonials
Awards
How We Live Our Values: Excellence
I firmly believe my clients’ commercial objectives must sit at the heart of any well-developed litigation strategy. Every case and every client is different. From the outset and throughout the course of any instruction, I strive to understand my client’s goals and the context in which they arise. Once those are clear, I draw on the full range of legal and procedural tools to develop a bespoke strategy that maximises the likelihood of success.
In My Own Words
After defecting from the world of science to that of law, I undertook my training at a specialist TMT firm in the City. I then spent 11 years developing my IP litigation career at a nationally renowned solicitors’ practice.
Throughout that time, I was mindful of the curiously fragmented nature of the UK legal profession for IP services, with those responsible for obtaining and maintaining their clients’ IP portfolios commonly sitting in different firms to those charged with their enforcement, defence and commercial exploitation.
In 2016, I was given a once-in-a-career opportunity to expand Potter Clarkson’s market-leading IP prosecution and opposition practice to include litigation and licensing. The advantages of this combined offer were instantly apparent. From day one, we could draw on the deep technical and sector-specific knowledge of our patent, design and trade mark attorneys and combine this with the legal and strategic expertise of our experienced IP lawyers.
The result is a bespoke team that supports our clients in securing the most commercially effective outcome. Our clients love this combined offer, and so do we!
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