< Back to latest news & events

Knowledge Hub

HGF ranked Gold in the FT special report – Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms 2023

June 2023

HGF has been ranked in the ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ bands in The Financial Times special report ‘Europe’s Leading Patent Law Firms’ published on the 14th June 2023. The firm is delighted to be ranked for the 5th consecutive year since the guide was established in 2019.

More than 10,000 patent attorneys working in patent law firms or in the patent departments of companies, as well as clients, were directly invited to take part in the survey. Survey participants could recommend firms both in general and by specialities, categorised into six sectors. The sample was collected via research conducted by Statista on relevant company websites, in publications and from the EPI (the Institute of Professional Representatives Before the European Patent Office), the professional body representing European patent attorneys.

The firm is one of the leading firms of IP specialists in Europe, with 23 offices across the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France and Ireland, and is internationally recognised by its peers across these core areas of technology.

HGF has been ranked Gold” very frequently recommended” for:

  • Biotechnology & Food
  • Chemistry & Pharmaceuticals
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • IT & Software

Silver for “frequently recommended” for:

  • Materials & Nanotechnology

Lucy Johnson, Head of the Engineering team commented, “We are delighted. Receiving a gold ranking from our clients and peers is a reflection of the exceptional quality of the HGF Engineering team across Europe. The team has a wealth of technical and in-house experience enabling us to provide strategic and relevant IP advice across the Engineering landscape. Our work and reputation in the energy, medical technology and automotive sectors, in particular is key to continuing to grow and develop our client partnerships.”

Kate Taylor, Head of the Life Sciences team commented, “We are delighted that the exceptional technical and legal knowledge of the HGF life sciences team has been recognised by this ranking.”

Dr Chris Benson, Head of the Electronics team commented, “I’m very pleased that the excellence of our attorneys in the electronics and computing field has been recognised.   It is especially pleasing to have been awarded a gold ranking which is awarded based on client recognition.  The HGF Electronics group handles a wide variety of subject matter in the electronics and computing field. Of note is the exceptional track record of handling oppositions relating to standards-based technologies such as video coding and telecommunication technologies as well as standards mapping.”

Dr Andrew Wells, Head of the Chemistry team commented, “I’m delighted that our excellent reputation in the chemistry field has been recognised. This is an excellent achievement for the HGF Chemistry team and for HGF as a whole. We have a large team of chemical patent attorneys located throughout Europe and we pride ourselves on providing commercially relevant and strategic IP advice to our clients.  We cover the whole chemistry landscape and have seen significant growth in the key areas of pharmaceuticals, formulation science, materials science, agrochemicals, process chemistry, fuel cells and electrochemistry. We also have a significant European oppositions practice that continues to go from strength to strength.”

As one of Europe’s leading firms we are committed to building strong client relationships and delivering outstanding service from our offices in Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, Ireland and the UK. We continue to deepen our understanding of the client experience and provide tailor made solutions for our clients in Europe and around the world. We are delighted to have been ranked in Gold and Silver, and believe it is our integrated approach providing multidisciplinary teams of patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, and IP solicitors; each guided by the great value we place on People, Teamwork, Excellence and Progressive.

For the full report see here:

Latest updates

Often Copied, Never Equaled: When Do Everyday Items Become Subject of Copyright?

The  borderline between ‘pure’ works of art and mere utilitarian objects” –  Can iconic, yet everyday products be protected under copyright? The above question was posed by Advocate General in …

Read article

T 0883/23: Dosage claims and their entitlement to priority when only the clinical trial protocol was disclosed in the priority application

In a recently issued decision by the EPO’s Board of Appeal (BoA), the BoA held that claims directed to a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at particular doses were …

Read article

The end of the Brexit overhang for trade marks: review, refile and revoke.

On the 31st December 2025, five years will have passed since the end of the Brexit transitional period on 31st December 2020. Why is this relevant? For UK cloned trade …

Read article
Event - 14th January 2026

Seminar on The aftermath of G1/24 - has anything changed?

HGF is hosting a The aftermath of G1/24 – has anything changed? Which will be followed by networking, apero, and snacks. The Seminar will be held on Wednesday, 14th January …

Event details

Personal names as 'brands' in the world of fashion

Episode 1 Personal names as ‘brands’ in the world of fashion    

Read article

Colour in fashion and the difficulties of protecting it

Episode 2 Colour in fashion and the difficulties of protecting it  

Read article

Trade marks which are fashion products, and fashion products which are trade marks

Episode 3 Trade marks which are fashion products, and fashion products which are trade marks

Read article

Zombie Fashion Brands

Episode 4 Zombie Fashion Brands  

Read article