Legal Awards win for Wragge & Co

THE Intellectual Property team at Wragge & Co has won TMT Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2013 for securing a Supreme Court victory which overturned 100 years of patent law.

The award winning team, headed by Gordon Harris, saved airline seat manufacturer Zodiac from a £49m pay-out to Virgin Atlantic Airways in July 2013. The case, which lasted six years, went to the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the European Patent Office and the Supreme Court which finally overruled the existing patent law.

Gordon Harris said: “Winning this award is a platinum endorsement of the team’s legal flair, insight and experience in co-ordinating global litigation. We never believed the patent was good or valid and we were determined to go on and fight this right to the end. Our expertise brought about a tremendous outcome for Zodiac and we materially changed the law.”

The core team of specialists working with Harris included associate Antony Craggs, director James Rowlands, solicitor Olivia Harris and trainee Molly Halligan.

The case centred on the Solar Eclipse flat-bed seat which was created by Zodiac for the premium aircraft travel market. In 2007, Virgin Atlantic alleged Zodiac had infringed design rights and a European patent for flat-bed upper class aircraft seats.

Zodiac appointed Wragge & Co and won the case in 2008. But in 2009, the Court of Appeal found the patent to be valid and infringed leaving Zodiac with a potential £49m bill for damages. The IP team advised Zodiac to challenge the validity of Virgin’s patent at the European Patent Office (EPO).

Despite the EPO confirming the patent was invalid, a piece of English law (Unilin principle) dating back to 1908 meant Zodiac still had to pay damages. This prompted Wragge & Co to successfully petition the Supreme Court and overturn the ruling.

Chambers Guide recognition for Harrison Clark Rickerbys

HARRISON Clark Rickerbys has achieved a number of top standings in this year’s Chambers UK Guide ranking of the UK’s major law firms.

The firm was ranked in the top tier of Band 1 for corporate expertise, while the work of its Worcester and Hereford offices was also ranked as Band 1 in three practice areas: licencing, litigation and family law/matrimonial. Eight of the firm’s lawyers were ranked as Band 1 in their respective practice areas.

Rod Thomas, Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ managing partner and head of Corporate team said:  “The recognition from Chambers & Partners across a number of practice areas is a firm endorsement of our city-quality legal expertise in the West Midlands and beyond.  This has been a particularly momentous year for our firm, following the merger between Harrison Clark Ltd and Rickerbys and we are delighted that this year’s guide has recognised those qualities most valued by clients in a number of different practice areas.”

Fisher lands leading Law Society accolade

CHARLOTTE Fisher, a solicitor at Band Hatton Button in Coventry has been named Warwickshire Law Society’s Young Lawyer of the Year 2013.

The 25-year-old, left, was presented with the award during the Warwickshire Law Society’s Annual Dinner.

Judges praised her for her recent charity work including her appointment to the NSPCC Coventry and Warwickshire Business Group board.

Ms Fisher works as part of the wills, trusts and probate team at Band Hatton Button after qualifying as a solicitor in July.

She was also previously appointed Chair of Warwickshire Law Society Young Lawyers Group where she continues to hold a committee position.

She said: “I am really honoured to have been selected for this award. There are so many talented young lawyers in this region and the competition was tough.”

Philip Costigan, (pictured right) partner at Band Hatton Button, said:  “We are extremely proud of Charlotte for everything she has achieved this year. She continues to work closely with senior partners at the firm and has become a valuable asset to the team.”