Judicial Administration Structure for Patent Disputes: United Kingdom

Information provided by:
An International Guide to Patent Case Management for Judges

UK Supreme Court

Scotland

England and Wales

Northern Ireland

Inner House of the Court of Session

Court of Appeal of England and Wales

Northern Ireland Court of Appeal

Outer House of the Court of Session

Chancery Division of the High Court Business and Property Courts

Chancery Division of the Northern Ireland High Court

Patents Court (exclusive jurisdiction for claims exceed GBP 500,000)

Transfers

Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) (claims whose value do not exceed GBP 500,000)

Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO)

Administrative Jurisdiction • applications to revoke patents, declarations of non-infringement, employee compensation, licenses and compulsory licenses • with the agreement of the parties, claims of infringement Covers England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

Civil Jurisdiction (Infringement and Revocation) Jurisdiction based on domicile The UK consists of three jurisdictions: England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. An infringer may be sued in (1) their domicile, (2) where the infringement took place, or (3) if merged with other defendants, the other defendants' domicile.