< 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

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