11 South Square

11 South Square is a leading set founded in 1923 by Sir Stafford Cripps, specialising in intellectual property law and recognised for its work in media and information technology. The set comprises 16 members, including five King’s Counsel, and is headed by Iain Purvis KC. Members are frequently acknowledged for the quality of advice and advocacy, with a strong record of involvement in precedent-setting cases across all areas of intellectual property. Former members have gone on to senior judicial appointments, including positions in the Patents Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.

Barristers at 11 South Square regularly appear before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, and the UK Intellectual Property Office, as well as the European Patent Office in Munich and the General Court and Court of Justice of the European Union. Patent representation forms a significant part of chambers’ work, often requiring detailed technical knowledge in science and technology. Members also advise and represent clients in complex disputes concerning computer software and IT.

The set has extensive involvement in copyright, performers’ rights, trade marks, confidential information, privacy, personality rights, and celebrity endorsement. Work also extends to unregistered design rights and database rights, with members regularly appearing in leading cases. Expertise also includes matters involving the Data Protection Act, with appearances before the Information Tribunal.

Notable recent cases include Wobben Properties GmbH v Siemens Public Ltd Company & Ors; Teva (UK) Ltd v Gilead Sciences Inc; Property Renaissance Ltd (t/a Titanic Spa) v Stanley Dock Hotel Ltd (t/a Titanic Hotel); Victoria Plum Ltd (t/a Victoria Plumb) v Victorian Plumbing Ltd; Generics (UK) Ltd (t/a Mylan) v Warner-Lambert Co LLC; Nicocigs Limited v Fontem Holdings Limited; Meter-Tech Llc & Anor v British Gas Trading Ltd; Koninklijke Philips NV v Asustek Computer Incorporation & Ors; Cartier International AG & Ors v British Sky Broadcasting Ltd & Ors; Napp Pharmaceutical Holdings Ltd v Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd and Sandoz Ltd; Sony v SSH; Idenix Pharmaceuticals Inc v Gilead; Abraxis Bioscience LLC v Comptroller General of Patents; Ap Racing v Alcon Components; IPCom v HTC & Brightpoint; Edwards Life Sciences v Boston Scientific; Nicocigs v Fontem Holdings; British Gas v Meter Tech; Nap Pharmaceuticals v Dr Reddy’s & Sandoz; and Varian v Elekta.

Staffing
Chambers has 16 members, including five King’s Counsel.

Team Members
Head of Chambers: Iain Purvis KC.