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Mark Vanhegan QC

Mark enjoys the full range of disputes which involve and relate to Intellectual Property rights, (patents, trade marks, copyright and breach of confidence), Information Technology and Entertainment & Media law.

Mark regularly appears in the usual courts and tribunals of England and Wales as well as in Europe relating to intellectual property rights’ claims, including the House of Lords (patent and copyright cases), the European Court of Justice, the General Court (formerly Court of First Instance), (Community and registered trade mark disputes), and the European Patent Office, (Opposition Division and Board of Appeal). Recent examples include litigating Virgin Atlantic’s patent for lay flat first class seats from commencement to the Court of Appeal and through the European Patent Office and resisting Barbara Becker’s application for a community trade mark in the ECJ. 

The breadth of his practice and his commercial approach to litigation means that Mark is also frequently instructed to appear in commercial arbitrations and is often called upon to act as a Mediator to seek to compromise IP, media and commercial disputes with a technical content. In addition he has substantial experience of assessing damages having been involved in a number of the leading patent (Gerber v Lectra and Dyson v Hoover) and copyright (Blayney v Clogau and CD-WOW) damages inquiries.

He is highly praised in the leading legal guides and is regularly recommended for IP, IT and Media & Entertainment cases: “superstar”, “proactive and great with technology” “He impresses clients with his extremely effective court appearances and thorough pleadings of huge cases” “tremendously efficient”, “top notch and very easy to deal with” [Chambers Global 2006]; “formidable lawyer”, “a music industry veteran who genuinely understands how record labels work both domestically and internationally” [Chambers UK 2007] New media expert Mark Vanhegan offers ‘commercial insight and excellent tactical suggestions’ and ‘ excellent written and oral submissions’. [Legal 500 (2008)] “Quick to see the nuances of a situation, and gets his teeth right into the detail while at the same time retaining a sharp focus on the main aim.” He is also “brave in front of the judge, but knows when to stop,” and is “good fun, without airs.”  [Chambers 2010]

Called: 1990
Appointed silk: 2009
Degree: MA, (Natural Sciences and Law), Trinity College, Cambridge
Membership: IP Bar Association & Chancery Bar Association

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