Chambers and Partners 2024
The Set
11 South Square offers great depth of expertise in IT and telecoms-related intellectual property matters, and is consistently recognised as one of the top IP chambers. Its tenants are sought out by major technology companies and corporate clients for some of their most substantial patent disputes, and barristers from the set have excellent knowledge of FRAND licensing matters. For example, 11 South Square recently appeared for Apple in Unwired Planet, Optis and PanOptis v Apple, a high-profile Patents Court litigation.
Client service
“The clerks are very responsive and practical.”
Legal 500 2024
The Set
Members at 11 South Square have extensive experience in high-level technology disputes and are frequently instructed to act in disputes at the intersection of IP and IT law. With a combination of decades of experience in the field and technical backgrounds, members are particularly well-placed to handle complex disputes acting for high-profile technology clients. Mark Vanhegan KC appeared for LzLabs in IBM UK Limited v LzLabs, a dispute relating to alleged breaches of agreements pertaining to mainframe computer systems and raising issues about software copyright and reverse engineering.
Testimonials
‘Excellent’
‘One of the top IP chambers. Always on my list of ones to look to for high quality advocates.’
Legal 500 2023
The barristers at 11 South Square showcase combined expertise in intellectual property and telecoms disputes, often acting for major clients in cases with a crossover element. Appearing before the Court of Appeal, Michael Silverleaf KC acted for the Ministry of Defence in IPCom v Vodafone, intervening with the agreement of the parties, regarding the crown use provisions of Patents Act 1977; the case involves a technology that can be used to prioritize emergency services users over the mobile phone network. In Philips v Xiaomi, Mark Vanhegan KC represents the claimant in connection with patents declared to be essential to 3G and 4G standards. Vanhegan also went up against Brian Nicholson KC, who represented the defendant, in Facebook v Voxer, a dispute focused on a patent revocation action.