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Tim Powell

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Tim Powell, a London-based intellectual property (IP) and life sciences lawyer, represents clients in high-stakes litigation across UK and European courts. He advocates in the UK and European patent offices; the English High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court; and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Tim is also an arbitrator on the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Centre's list of neutrals. His technical background and biotech and medical technologies industry knowledge have allowed him to represent life sciences clients in complex, multijurisdictional, and cross-border IP disputes and patent litigation.

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A tenacious and highly effective litigator who you do not want on the other side of a case
The Legal 500
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Truly outstanding in terms of both legal skill and acumen as well as technical ability
The Legal 500
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Tim Powell is hugely respected for his patent litigation and advocacy practice.
Chambers
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Tim Powell’s vast experience means that his approach is spot on. He is the person to have on the team when something unexpected happens.
Chambers
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He is instrumental in developing and executing UK and EU strategies while keeping in mind clients’ ultimate business goals.
IAM Patents 1000
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Excellent coordination of cross-border patent cases for pharma clients
Juve
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An excellent strategist in patent disputes (competitor)
Juve
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Tim is a great adviser in strategy, ensuring everything is moving in the right direction. It's a great experience working with him.
Chambers
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Tim has also represented clients in electronics and telecoms patent litigation, including in the enforcement of standard essential patents (SEPs). 

Tim advises on critical IP issues, including supplementary protection certificates, orphan designations, and regulatory exclusivities for clients in life sciences and biotech seeking to remain competitive in European and UK-regulated markets.

He has managed bet-the-company litigation, leveraging his experience to protect trade secrets where patents may not apply. He has handled cases in both the life sciences and high-tech fields, including the enforcement of SEPs in the telecoms field and the obligation to licence on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.

Companies seek out Tim for his deep life sciences and biotech patent litigation, regulatory compliance, and cross-border strategy knowledge as IP laws evolve in the United Kingdom and European Union. His experience with complex, multijurisdictional disputes, combined with his strategic insights on leveraging regulatory exclusivities make him an invaluable asset for clients seeking to safeguard innovation and optimize competitive advantage.

  • Represented Illumina in a patent infringement action on Illumina’s core gene sequencing technology against competitor MGI; Illumina’s patents were found to be valid and infringed
  • Edwards Lifesciences in a series of patent actions on Edwards’ transcatheter heart valve technology; following a finding that Meril Life Sciences’s product infringed, Meril withdrew from the UK market
  • Represented Actavis in the leading case in the UK Supreme Court on second medical use patent claims; Actavis successfully invalidated Warner Lambert’s patent on a drug for neuropathic pain, and the Supreme Court clarified the law on infringement of second medical use claims
  • Represented Google in a case on mobile email technology
  • Represented Vringo Inc. in the successful enforcement of a standards essential patent granted to Nokia in the telecommunications field
  • University of Bristol, England (post-graduate diploma IP law)
  • University of Cambridge, Sidney Sussex College (M.A. natural sciences)
  • England & Wales

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Intellectual Property, Law360 (2024)

Listed, Thought Leaders, Global Elite, IP – Patents, Lexology (2025)

Listed, Thought Leaders, Global Elite, Life Science – Patent Litigation, Lexology (2025)

Band 1, Chambers UK, Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation (2025)

Band 1, Chambers UK, Life Sciences: IP/Patent Litigation (2025)

Listed, World IP Review, IP Leader (2024, 2025)

Listed, World IP Review, UK Patent Rankings Guide (2025)

Recognized, Patent Star - United Kingdom (England), Managing Intellectual Property (2024, 2025)

Listed, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, Litigation (Gold Tier) (2025)

Listed, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, UK Patent Litigation (Gold Tier) (2024)

Listed, Who’s Who Legal Patents and Life Sciences, Global Elite Thought Leader, Life Sciences – Patent Litigation (2024)

Listed, Legal 500, Hall of Fame, London, TMT (Technology, Media and Telecoms): Intellectual Property: Patents (Contentious and Non-Contentious) (2024)

Listed, Legal 500, Leading Individual, London, Industry Focus: Life Sciences and Healthcare (2024)

Listed, IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, Global Leader (2021, 2023)

Named, LMG Life Sciences, Patent Litigator of the Year: Medical devices, European Life Sciences Awards (2021–2022)

Named, LMG Life Sciences, Patent Litigator of the Year: Pharmaceuticals, European Life Sciences Awards (2022)

Member, European Patent Lawyers Association

Member, International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property