Huw Evans

In the IP team, I specialise in litigation issues concerning IP rights and in particular patents in the high-technology and life sciences sectors. As well as being actively involved in litigation, I also provide freedom to operate opinions and work with clients to avoid litigation.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 0329

Email: huw_evans@wragge.com

Best brains in...

Multi-jurisdictional IP litigation, strategies for patent enforcement programmes and clearance projects for technology implementation.

Highlight of your career so far?

Having had over 15 year's experience of patent litigation, I have been involved in some of the UK's leading patent cases such as Chiron v Murex. The diversity of our client base means one highlight is the variety of subjects I deal with - ranging from blood filters and immunoassays to ice-cream and ink-jet printing. But, perhaps my most memorable moment was exhibiting a giant set of teeth at court. It made the national press!

What about outside the UK?

The international nature of IP work means that I have managed litigation in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Ireland, The United States, Japan and Australia.

What's your definition of going the extra mile… And when have you done it?

On my stag weekend, I travelled to County Durham in order to conduct rehearsal experiments on a lawn mower. A very grateful client supplied me with a lot of coffee and a very welcome cooked breakfast to get me through!

Best example of a creative legal solution?

I used the speed of the English court system in order to secure a patent revocation which had the effect of halting a cross-border injunction in Belgium in its tracks. It saved the client a lot of money and put it in a far more favourable commercial position.

When have you ever given a client a real competitive edge?

I think of myself as an extension of the in-house legal team so I don't confine my role simply to litigating the problems. Successful litigation is a team effort with the external lawyers working very much with the client and concentrating on the objectives of the client. Very often litigation is part of a broader strategy and it is important to remember this. It is all too easy to let litigation have a life of its own, thus ignoring the reason for the litigation in the first place. Keeping focused and flexible is in my mind the key to success.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

I acted pro bono for a designer and ended up taking the case all the way to the European Court of Justice.

What's been written or said about you that you're most proud of?

Probably from a client's in-house IP division where they said they considered me as one of their in-house team.

"Offering 'value for money' Huw Evans 'is an effective patent litigator who leaves you feeling calm and reassured'". - Chambers 2008 directory