< Back to latest news & events

News

Paul Sanderson

September 2021

We are sorry to announce that Paul Sanderson is leaving HGF on 30 September 2021.

Paul joined HGF in February 2002 to establish HGF Law, becoming CEO of the wider HGF Group in June 2004, stepping down 17 years later in June 2021.

During his tenure as CEO, Paul transformed HGF from a small, 3-office business into one of the leading IP firms in Europe with 22 offices in 7 jurisdictions, 55 partners and more than 450 staff. Turnover increased 11-fold from £8.3 million to c.£90 million, with profits rising 20-fold from £0.9 million to £18 million.

Paul has made an exceptional contribution to HGF, which would not be the firm it is without him. On behalf of all Paul’s partners and colleagues we thank him for his vision, drive and leadership and wish him all the very best for the future.

Latest updates

The concept of ‘overall impression’ in UK and EU Registered Design Law

 

Read article

The Antibody Series #2 | Definition via binding strength in antibody claims: when “binds strongly... but only minimally...” becomes a trap of lack of clarity

Introduction Defining an antibody by its binding strength is common practice in patent claims, but it can quickly become a pitfall under Article 84 EPC on clarity. In this second …

Read article

The Antibody Series #1 | Quality Characteristics (CQAs) in Antibody Claims: When the Test Method Can Remain Outside the Claim

Introduction Therapeutic antibodies are at the heart of innovations in biotechnology and healthcare. With increasing regulatory requirements and quality expectations, critical quality attributes (CQAs) are becoming essential in the drafting …

Read article
Event - 7th January 2026

HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

Join us on 3rd February 2026 for HGF’s Brand & Design Conference, the must attend event for in-house legal teams, brand leaders, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of IP. …

Event details

Empowered, Not Replaced: The Risks and Rewards of Using AI Tools in Patent Prosecution

With the rapid rise of AI and extreme hype around generative AI tools in the workplace, patent firms around the world have had to seriously consider to what extent they …

Read article

EU Agrees on NGT Plant Regulation: What It Means for Patents and Licensing

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement for plants developed using New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) – below we summarise the main points and set out the requirements …

Read article

When Retail Branding Meets Politics

(Inter IKEA Systems v Algemeen Vlaams Belang (Case C‑298/23) In November 2022, the Flemish political party Vlaams Belang presented its “IKEA-PLAN – Immigratie Kan Echt Anders” (“Immigration Really Can Be Different”). …

Read article

Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026

HGF Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026   UK Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December 2025 CLOSED Thursday 1 January 2026* CLOSED * Friday 2 January 2026 – …

Read article
See all updates