Philip Roberts
Barrister
Call 1996 Silk 2018
Philip Roberts KC is established as one of the UK's foremost silks specialising in technology industry disputes with substantial experience across the board in high-profile, complex and commercially significant cases.
Renowned for his strategic insight and proven track record, his deep understanding of technology, and courtroom expertise make him a top choice for clients facing challenging legal issues. His expertise covers information technology law and all aspects of intellectual property, as well as high profile and substantial commercial and competition related disputes involving highly technical subject matter including crypto-currencies, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and the commercial exploitation of computer software:
- Cryptocurrencies: Acting for leading cryptocurrency exchanges, cryptocurrency operators and blockchain enabled platforms.
- Data rights: Substantial experience litigating complex database rights cases and cases concerning the unauthorized use of directory data and the scope of database rights in software.
- E-commerce: Advising online marketplaces and other online intermediaries in relation to the availability and operation of e-commerce conduit, caching and hosting defences.
- Internet Domain Names: Extensive experience in domain name disputes, serving on Nominet UK's Expert Review Group and litigating cases with implications for domain regulation.
- Software Licensing and Development Disputes
Phil also regularly acts and advises on disputes involving high end fashion brands and retailers, as well as music, entertainment, and sport related disputes, protecting the images and rights in the online and physical worlds for well-known brands, creators and inventors:
- Copyright: Litigated disputes involving software copyright, photographic copyright, and established leading precedents for database rights.
- Trade Marks: Expertise in both contentious and non-contentious trademark matters, including cases involving the validity and infringement of trademarks and "shape" trademarks.
- Passing Off: Representing clients in a variety of passing off actions, including claims related to product labelling and domain name misappropriation.
- Patents: Experience in patent infringement litigation, licensing disputes, and estoppels arising from prior litigation.
- IT and Telecommunications: Representing clients in disputes concerning software development, billing for telecommunication services, and the removal of proprietary software by former employees.
- Media and Broadcasting: Expertise in cases involving royalty calculations, misleading advertising claims, and trademark infringement cases.
Examples of some of his notable cases include:
- Sky Plc & ors v Skykick UK Ltd & ors: Represented Sky in a landmark case concerning cloud computing, reaching the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the UK Supreme Court
- Thom Browne Inc v Adidas AG: Acted for the claimant fashion house, Thom Browne, in a dispute with Adidas [Appeal Due to be heard late 2025]
- Football DataCo Ltd & ors v Stan James Plc / Sportradar GmbH / ors: Acted in a complex, long-running case concerning fixture lists and online sports data that involved two trials, four appeals, and a CJEU reference
- Genius Sports Ltd v Soft Construct (Malta) Ltd: Represented defendants in a major database rights infringement case related to live sports data
- R v Secretary of State for Health ex p British American Tobacco & ors: Challenged the UK's cigarette plain packaging regulations in high-profile judicial review proceedings
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Examples of Recent Cases
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Information Technology
- Associated Newspapers v Sportority:
Technology and Construction Court dispute concerning ‘adtech’ monetisation, invalid website traffic and software configuration. Settled shortly before trial in June 2025. - Sky Plc & ors v Skykick UK Ltd & ors:
Represented Sky in a landmark case concerning cloud computing, reaching the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the UK Supreme Court. - Dr Craig Wright v Payward Inc:
Acting for the defendant Kraken, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, in a claim valued by the claimants at “hundreds of billions of pounds”. The Claimant Dr Wright claims that he is Satoshi Nakamoto (the ‘inventor’ of Bitcoin) and therefore owns the goodwill in the name Bitcoin. - Wise v WithWise:
Acting for Wise (formerly TransferWise) a global fintech service provider against another company also using the mark ‘Wise’ for fintech platforms and app software. Claims and cross-claims for trade mark infringement and passing off. - Genius Sports Ltd v Soft Construct (Malta) Ltd:
Acting for two separate sets of Defendants in a long running and complex database rights infringement case concerning live sports data rights, with a counterclaim for breach of competition law. - Honeycomb v Dunning
Acting for the Claimant in a breach of contract dispute concerning software for workflow management and quality control in the creative media industry. - Football DataCo Ltd & ors v Stan James Plc / Sportradar GmbH / ors
Acted in a complex, long-running case concerning fixture lists and online sports data. - Ultrasoft Technologies v Hubcreate Ltd
Trial of elaborate technical claims in relation to SQL databases. - Technomed Ltd v Bluecrest Health Screening Ltd
Dispute concerning electrocardiogram analysis algorithms. - 3i Infotech (Western Europe) Ltd v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc & anr
Successful strike out of a complex tripartite claim relating to multi-million-pound financial software. - Acting for multinational oil company in defence of a breach of confidence action brought in relation to smart card technology.
- Blue Power Group SARL v Eni Norge AS:
Acting for defendant sued for $225m in damages for breach of confidence relating to the claimants' CNG Tariff Model (a software tool for modelling, simulating, optimising and costing proposed marine gas transportation projects). - Acting for the defendant in an action concerning provision of race day data: BHB Enterprises Plc -v- Victor Chandler (International) Ltd.
- The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Ltd & ors v PhoenixWales Ltd
Acting for claimants in a dispute arising out of the appropriation of hundreds of domain names relating to high street retailers (e.g. Jaeger, Austin Reed, Peacocks, Viyella, Pondens, Jacques Vert) whose corporate group had entered administration. Pleaded causes of action included breach of contract and fiduciary duties. - Cartier v Nominet UK
Proceedings raising an important point of principle namely the alleged duty of an internet intermediary (domain name registry) to police online IP infringement; profound implications for the operation and regulation of the .UK domain. - Acting for an international business process outsourcer in actions concerning payment of state benefits by eletronic transfer and provision of client relationship management systems.
- Acting for a company acting to prevent the removal of proprietary software and know-how by ex-employees, involving extensive use of evidence forensically recovered from computer servers and hard drives.
- Advising a wide range of clients on contractual repudiation and termination issues relating to defective provision of IT development services.
- Advising e-commerce clients on regulatory compliance of existing Standard Terms and Conditions with e.g. Consumer Protection (Distance Selling Regulations) 2000, The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 and Data Protection Act 1998.
- Invisimail Technolgies Ltd v RPK New Zealand Ltd [2003] EWHC 2828:
Acting for the Claimant in a breach of contract action relating to encryption technology. - Acting for the Motion Picture Association of America in an infringement action concerning DVD decryption and copying software.
- Advising and acting for software developers whose work has been appropriated and exploited by unauthorised third parties.
- Case T-252/13 Skysoft Computersysteme GmbH v OHIM EU:T:2014:163:
Appeal to the General Court of the EU concerning the significance of the word 'soft' within a trade mark for computer software. The decision of the EUIPO to reject the mark Skysoft due to conflict with BSkyB's prior rights was upheld but the General Court additionally held that 'soft' was a non-distinctive connotation. - Skyscape Cloud Services Ltd v British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc & ors: Trial of a wide-ranging declaration of non-infringement of BSkyB's key trade marks in the field of 'public sector' cloud computing. Reported [2017] FSR 6.
- Jason Bennison v Nominet UK:
Setting aside an injunction obtained ex parte against Nominet for suspension of an internet domain name on grounds of non-compliance with Section 12 of the Human Rights Act 1998, and striking out the underlying action. - Michael Toth v Emirates:
Successful intervention in legally and jurisdictionally complex appeal upholding the autonomy of internet domain name ADR schemes. Reported at [2012] F.S.R. 26. - Acting for a major software company in litigation seeking to restrain the transmission of unsolicited spam email.
- Settling complaints for use in the World Intellectual Property Organisation ICANN domain name dispute resolution procedure.
- Blackfridge SC Ltd v Tether Operations Limited:
Acting for the Tether, the company responsible for the USDT, EURT, CNHT and MXNT stablecoins (cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currency) in a trade mark claim and counterclaim against an Isle of Man company which launched a GBPT stablecoin. - KID-SYSTEME GMBH v EUIPO (Case T-354/18):
Acting for the intervener in an Appeal to the General Court of the EU against a decision of the EUIPO in the field of Wi-Fi and computer software, on eight separate wide-ranging grounds of appeal (intervener’s entitlement to file opposition, obligation to state reasons, proof of use, suspension, misuse of powers, likelihood of confusion, right to a fair trial and oral hearings). Successfully resisted all eight grounds of appeal: [2019] E.T.M.R. 42. Appeal to CJEU (Case C‑577/19 P) dismissed on 10 October 2019 - Nvidia Corp v Hardware Labs Performance Systems Inc:
Action for a declaration of non-infringement in relation to Graphical Processing Units. Strike out application reported at [2017] Bus. L.R. 549; [2017] F.S.R. 28. Acting for the estates of two different famous writers to prevent unauthorised exploitation of their names and works. - (1) Partygaming Plc (2) Electraworks Limited (3) Iglobalmedia Marketing UK Limited -v- (1) Eli Dabosh (2) Caviner Limited (3) JD Lucky Skill Limited [2005] EWHC 3090:
Acting for PartyGaming Plc and its associated companies in an expedited application for interim relief to restrain parties in and outside the UK jurisdiction from deceptive provision of online gaming services. - Alliance Franþaise de Londres Limited v Her Majesty's Attorney General [2005] EWHC 3049:
Acting for Nominet UK, resisting an interim injunction concerning the preservation of a domain name pending the conclusion of a vesting action.
- Associated Newspapers v Sportority:
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Telecommunications
- Primus Telecommunications Limited v British Telecommunications Plc:
Acting for Primus in a dispute with BT in respect of billing for 0800 services under the Network Charge Control Standard Interconnect Agreement. - Zone Corporation Ltd v BT Plc:
Acting for BT Plc in defence of a breach of contract action relating to toll-free telephone number services. - MCI Worldcom International v Primus Telecommunications [2004] EWCA Civ 957; [2004] 2 All E.R. (Comm) 833 (Court of Appeal):
Acting for the Defendant at the appeal of the summary judgment hearing concerning breaches of contract and misrepresentation following Worldcom's Chapter 11 bankruptcy. - Acting for the defendant in a case concerning alleged database rights in mobile telephone top-up PIN codes: One2One v Rok Communications.
- Primus Telecommunications Limited v British Telecommunications Plc:
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Judicial Review
- R v OPSS:
Concerning the applicability of e-commerce defences in online product safety. - R v Secretary of State for Health ex p British American Tobacco & ors:
Concerning the interaction between trade marks and public health. High profile public law proceedings challenging the validity of the UK's cigarette 'plain packaging' regulations. Reported at [2016] R.P.C. 22 (trial) and [2017] 3 W.L.R. 225 (Court of Appeal)
- R v OPSS:
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Patents
- Unilin Beheer BV v Berry Floor NV [2004] F.S.R. 14 (PCC); [2004] EWCA (Civ) 1021; [2005] F.S.R. 6 (CA):
Acting for B&Q plc, a co-defendant in a patent infringement action involving points of construction and priority, in the Patents County Court and subsequently in the Court of Appeal; and in hearing in 2006 concerning interaction between res judicata and the European Patent Convention. - Invisimail Technolgies Ltd v RPK New Zealand Ltd [2003] EWHC 2828:
Acting for the Claimant in a breach of contract action in the Patents Court concerning the assignment of patents relating to encryption technology. - Acting for a US corporation in arbitration proceedings concerning trans-Atlantic patent and know-how licensing.
- Acting for Defendants in UK satellite proceedings relating to US patent infringement proceedings, resisting and varying an Order for disclosure and examination before an examiner in the UK.
- Acting for a defendant in a patent infringement action in the PCC involving estoppels arising out of previous litigation on the same patent between related parties.
- Unilin Beheer BV v Berry Floor NV [2004] F.S.R. 14 (PCC); [2004] EWCA (Civ) 1021; [2005] F.S.R. 6 (CA):
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Intellectual Property
- Super Dry v Manchester City FC:
Trade mark infringement action relating to the sponsorship of Premier League football training kit. - Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd v Zeebox Ltd:
Important points of practice relating to trade mark and passing off survey evidence. Reported at [2014] FSR 10 (ChD application) and on appeal to the Court of Appeal ([2014] FSR 26). - London Taxi Corporation Ltd v Frazer-Nash Research Ltd & Ecotive Ltd:
Leading authority on 'shape' trade marks and non-use revocation. Reported at [2016] FSR 7 (survey application) and [2016] FSR 20 (trial). - JW Spear & Sons Ltd v Zynga Inc:
The first appeal considered the registrability of a non-standard trade marks (Scrabble tiles and "Cadbury's purple"). The second appeal followed a 14 day trial of a trade mark/passing off claim relating to mobile 'apps'. Reported at [2014] FSR 14 (first appeal) and [2015] FSR 19 (second appeal). - Advising an international commercial real estate group in relation to the jurisdictional aspects of claim(s) for infringement of copyright in thousands of photographs
- Advising a photographer in dispute involving copyright, contract and artist's resale right arising out of a photograph sitting by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company & anr v Al Refai & ors:
Successfully resisting the introduction of a copyright claim in a large multi-party commercial action (damages of over $700m claimed). - Acting for the claimant and advising in proceedings against ex-employees for copyright infringement and breach of contract and confidence.
- Advising and acting for defendants and Part 20 defendants in relation to contractual warranties and indemnities concerning infringement of copyright owned by third parties.
- Advising and acting for software developers whose work has been appropriated and exploited by unauthorised third parties.
- Acting for the Claimant Yell Limited in a series of database right infringement actions arising out of the unauthorised use and exploitation of Yell.co.uk and Yellow Pages directory data.
- Acting and advising in a number of contribution proceedings concerning the scope and effect of express and implied contractual intellectual property infringement warranties and indemnities.
- Case T-252/13 Skysoft Computersysteme GmbH v OHIM EU:T:2014:163:
Appeal in the General Court of the EU, upholding the EUIPO decision to reject the mark Skysoft due to conflict with BSkyB's prior rights. - Camden Lock Market trade mark:
Assisting Camden Market in overcoming geographical objections to the registration of its trade marks on the UK Register. - Annco, Inc. v Holzer y CIA, S.A. de C.V.:
Successful EUIPO invalidation of the trade mark ANN TAYLOR obtained by Holzer on grounds of bad faith. - Sensormatic Electronics LLC v Anglo Design Holdings Plc:
Successful hearing and appeal determining three consolidated trade mark oppositions in the field of electronic video security. - Inter Lotto (UK) Ltd v. Camelot Group Plc [2003] EWCA Civ 1132; [2004] 1 WLR 95 (CA); and [2003] EWHC 1256; [2003] 3 All ER 191 (High Court):
Acting for the claimants at the trial of a preliminary issue relating to the interaction between registered trade mark rights and passing off rights. - H Young (Operations) Ltd v. Medici Ltd [2003] EWHC 1589; [2004] FSR 19 (High Court):
Acting for the claimant at the trial of a trade mark infringement action concerning the correct approach to partial revocation for non-use. - Wolters Kluwer (UK) Ltd (trading as CCH) - v - Reed Elsevier (UK) Ltd (trading as LEXISNEXIS Butterworths) [2005] EWHC 2053 (Ch):
Acting for Reed Elsevier, resisting an interim injunction concerning comparative advertising in the field of online seminars for tax professionals.
- Super Dry v Manchester City FC:
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Sports Industry Disputes
- Super Dry v Manchester City FC:
Trade mark infringement action relating to the sponsorship of Premier League football training kit. - Football DataCo Ltd & ors v Stan James Plc / Sportradar GmbH / ors:
Very long running case involving two trials, four appeals and a reference to the CJEU; split into two main parts: (1) Leading reported case on the standard of 'originality' required for copyright subsistence in a database; (2) Landmark reported case concerning database rights and joint tortfeasorship on the internet. First part ended after CJEU ruling, second part settled prior to the hearing of the appeal to the Supreme Court. - Genius Sports Ltd v Soft Construct (Malta) Ltd:
Acting for two separate sets of Defendants in a long running and complex database rights infringement case concerning live sports data rights, with a counterclaim for breach of competition law. - Acting for the defendant in an action concerning provision of race day data: BHB Enterprises Plc -v- Victor Chandler (International) Ltd.
- Marussia Communications Ireland Ltd v Manor Grand Prix Racing Ltd & anr:
Successfully obtained £1.75m security [2016] RPC 20 in a summary judgment application for trade mark infringement in relation to chassis and team names in Formula 1 racing.
- Super Dry v Manchester City FC:
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Competition
- British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc & ors v Duarte & ors:
Copyright claim entailing successful strike out of defence/counterclaim alleging serious breaches of competition law against BSkyB. Reported at [2014] FSR 32. - Genius Sports Ltd v Soft Construct (Malta) Ltd:
Acting for two separate sets of Defendants in a long running and complex database rights infringement case concerning live sports data rights, with a counterclaim for breach of competition law.
- British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc & ors v Duarte & ors:
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Media and Entertainment
- British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc & ors v Duarte & ors:
Copyright claim entailing successful strike out of defence/counterclaim alleging serious breaches of competition law against BSkyB. Reported at [2014] FSR 32. - Charly Aquisitions Ltd -v- (1) Paul Smith (2) Smith & Co Sound and Vision and Same v (1) Warren Goldberg (2) Realman Limited (3) C/F International Inc:
Acting for defendants in two related actions concerning the validity, under US law, of copyright licences relating to recordings of the Tom Jones Show. - Acting for the Motion Picture Association of America in an infringement action concerning DVD decryption and copying software.
- Advising on the impact of The Duration of Copyright and Rights in Performances Regulations 1995 and The Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 1996 on the extent and duration of rights subsisting in old and unpublished copyright works.
- Acting for journalists, photographers and designers in copyright infringement actions against companies who have exploited their work without authorisation.
- Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe Ltd v Boomerang TV SA:
Resisting a declaration for TM non-infringement brought by substantial US cable TV network 'Boomerang' against a Spanish prior user. - RE: Pixdene Limited:
Assisting a family company in seeking to establish and obtain recognition of its historic entitlement to a share of worldwide merchandising revenue derived from the exploitation of the Wombles and Paddington Bear. - Acamar Films Ltd v Microsoft Corporation:
Claim for an injunction and over £10m damages against Microsoft for alleged infringement of the trade mark 'BING'. The trial, which settled part-heard, involved complex arguments relating to the abusive registration and enforcement of trade mark rights. - Music Choice Limited -v- Target Brands Inc. [2006] R.P.C. 13:
Acting for Music Choice in an application to the Trade Marks Registry and subsequent High Court appeal concerning the construction of the newly amended Trade Mark Rules. - Acting for the suppliers of an online media player in a contractual dispute with a major publishing group concerning royalty calculations and the treatment of invalid traffic
- Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd v Zeebox Ltd:
Action by an Indian TV broadcaster against a UK mobile 'app' developer. Important points of practice relating to trade mark and passing off survey evidence. Reported at [2014] FSR 10 (ChD application) and on appeal to the Court of Appeal ([2014] FSR 26). - Acting for the estates of two different famous writers to prevent unauthorised exploitation of their names and works.
- Settling complaints for submission to the Advertising Standards Authority in cases involving comparative advertising and misleading technical claims.
- Advising a major record label on construction and enforcement of recording agreements with significant recording artist.
- British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc & ors v Duarte & ors:
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Fashion and Retail
- Thom Browne Inc v Adidas AG:
Acting for the Claimant, fashion house Thom Browne, against leading sportswear brand Adidas in a trade mark and passing off case concerning the validity of Adidas’ ‘three stripe’ IP rights and whether they extend to the use of four horizontal stripes on clothing. - The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Ltd & ors v PhoenixWales Ltd
Acting for claimants in a dispute arising out of the appropriation of hundreds of domain names relating to high street retailers (e.g. Jaeger, Austin Reed, Peacocks, Viyella, Pondens, Jacques Vert) whose corporate group had entered administration. Pleaded causes of action included breach of contract and fiduciary duties. - Thomas Pink Ltd v Victoria's Secret UK Ltd:
Factually complex trial and appeal concerning the ambit and penumbra of trade mark monopolies. Reported at [2014] FSR 40. - US Polo Association v MGNL:
Preparing and settling interim application to prevent alleged parallel imported and counterfeit branded goods. - Criminal Clothing Limited v. Aytan's Manufacturing (UK) Limited [2005] EWHC 1303:
Acting for Criminal Clothing in their Trade Mark Registry and subsequent High Court Appeal concerning the CRIMINAL and CRIMINAL DAMAGE trade marks and in ongoing parallel appeal proceedings before the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. - Coca-Cola Co v. Aytacli (Contempt: Committal) [2003] EWHC 91; [2003] 26(3) IPD 26016; and in a second action concerning the liability of further defendants raising defences of abuse of process: Coca-Cola Co v. Ketteridge [2003] EWHC 2488; [2004] FSR 29:
Acting for the claimant at the trial of trade mark infringement and passing off proceedings in relation to a counterfeiting ring, and proceedings resulting in the subsequent committal to prison of one of the defendants for breach of disclosure orders.
- Thom Browne Inc v Adidas AG:
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Interim Remedies
- US Polo Association v MGNL:
Preparing and settling interim application to prevent alleged parallel imported and counterfeit branded goods. - Jason Bennison v Nominet UK:
Setting aside an injunction obtained ex parte against Nominet for suspension of an internet domain name on grounds of non-compliance with Section 12 of the Human Rights Act 1998, and striking out the underlying action. - Advising and acting for Carphone Warehouse in obtaining interim undertakings arising out of the use of its trade mark by a compensation firm
- Obtaining and resisting Anton Pillar search orders, Mareva freezing injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal orders and other High Court interim relief.
- E-Testing Consultancy Limited -v- (1) David Rai (2) Jacqueline Denton (3) Tim Straton
Acting for the claimant in obtaining an injunction to prevent the removal of confidential information by current and former employees.
- US Polo Association v MGNL:
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Commercial Litigation
- Advising a major UK brand in a dispute concerning the interpretation of a settlement agreement (2023)
- Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company & anr v Al Refai & ors:
Successfully resisting the introduction of a copyright claim in a large multi-party Commercial Court action (damages of over $700m claimed). - Advising and acting in disputes concerning the scope and effect of Letters of Request under the Hague Evidence Convention and the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975
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What the Directories Say
"Philip is an outstanding advocate who is easy to work with and very good with clients. He knows the commercial context and what the client is trying to get out of the litigation." (Chambers and Partners 2025, Information Technology)
“Phil is an excellent technical lawyer who also understands commercial aims and thinks around problems. His advice is clear and he is always very responsive to the client's timeframe.” (Chambers and Partners 2025, Information Technology)
"Phil is a dream to work with. Incredibly strategic, he's someone who sees things before they happen. He is amazing on his feet, and his submissions always hit the mark." (Chambers and Partners 2025, Information Technology)
‘Phil is a superb advocate and one of the top KCs. He is simply outstanding in court.’ (Legal 500, 2025 IT and Telecoms)
"Philip is perspicacious, sensible and principled. He is always a joy to work with." "Philip is an excellent strategist, extremely effective and persuasive advocate. Our go-to silk for IP disputes." "Phil is an absolute pleasure and dream to work with. He is incredibly strategic and sees things before they happen." "Philip is one of the leading trade mark silks. He adds real value to cases and is very good on his feet." (Chambers and Partners 2025, Intellectual Property)
‘Philip is wonderfully perspicacious, principled and sensible. He is a truly trusted advocate with a rare ability to distil complex situations into digestible points, and he is impeccable on his feet.' (Legal 500, 2025 Intellectual Property)
"Philip Roberts KC is on the top of his game as a contentious trade mark barrister. He has a deep knowledge of EU law and has vast experience. He is able to deploy both in a way that allows him give incisive analysis and make good predictions of the outcome. He has a reliable judgment. His written work is articulate, well drafted, insightful and considered." (Chambers and Partners 2024, Intellectual Property)
"Philip is fantastic for a number of reasons. He is brilliant to work with, incredibly bright and very good at breaking things down for clients to understand. He is very commercial, sees the bigger picture, and his strategy comes from a global holistic view of the cases and issues in mind. He is so approachable and easy to work with." (Chambers and Partners 2024, Intellectual Property)
‘Phil is an outstanding advocate. Excellent with clients and superb in court. He has an amazing brain and is a top choice for complex disputes.’ (Legal 500, 2024 IT and Telecoms)
‘Philip is an outstanding advocate and certainly one of the top trade mark silks. He is deeply knowledgeable of the law and brilliant in court.’ (Legal 500, 2024 Intellectual Property)
'Considered and clear advice. Highly impressive advocacy.' (Legal 500, 2023 Intellectual Property)
'Considered and clear advice. Highly impressive advocacy.' (Legal 500, 2023 IT and Telecoms)
"Philip Roberts KC is a super big-brained and very hard-working advocate." "Philip Roberts understands complex information well. He is fantastic at reading the room and knowing when to push and when to take a step back." (Chambers and Partners 2023, Intellectual Property)
"He is always brilliant and sees matters with broader commercial perspective." "A really impressive tactician." "An excellent barrister who understands clients and their needs." (Chambers and Partners 2020, Intellectual Property)
"He is very unflappable, deeply knowledgable of the law and very composed in court." (Legal 500, 2020 Intellectual Property)
"He is very good at highly technical work." "Highly recommended in IT and IP-related matters." (Chambers and Partners 2019, Intellectual Property)‘An excellent advocate and one of the top trade mark silks, with experience in advising on online infringement issues.’ (Legal 500, 2018 Intellectual Property)
‘He has a fantastic understanding of the digital world, is extremely bright, and comes up with good strategic and commercial advice.’ (IT and Telecoms, Legal 500 2017)
"He is calm and unflappable under pressure. He has got a phenomenal knowledge of trade mark law and is absolutely fantastic at distilling complicated issues into clear and commercially focused advice." (Chambers and Partners 2018, New IP Silks)
"He is technically fantastic and gives spot-on advice." "He is very bright, good on his feet and easy to work with. Clients like his knowledge of IP law and technology." (Chambers and Partners 2017)
‘He is an excellent and very responsive advocate.’ (IT and Telecoms, Legal 500 2017)
‘An excellent advocate, who is great to work with.’ (Intellectual Property, Legal 500 2017)
'has a particular focus on rights infringement on the internet and in digital media. He has appeared in many of the most prominent of these copyright and trade mark cases in recent years. "Excellent junior with invaluable experience and knowledge gained from representing leading internet-based companies." "Has a very fast mind and is very good on his feet." (Chambers & Partners 2016, Intellectual Property)
‘An accomplished courtroom advocate with sound strategic judgement.’ (Legal 500 2015, Intellectual Property)
‘An accomplished courtroom advocate.’ (Legal 500 2015, IT and Telecoms)
Noted for knowing trade mark law ”inside out,” he is also well regarded for his work on copyright matters, and for handling cases with a software or internet element. Sources appreciate his ability to relate highly technical issues lucidly. “Very user-friendly, hard-working and someone with good instincts.” (Chambers & Partners 2015, Intellectual Property)
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Appointments
- Member of Nominet UK's Expert Review Group (since 2008)