Neil Pawlyn

Neil Pawlyn is a dual qualified and practising patent and trade mark attorney, representing both direct clients and major non-UK law firms.

In the patent area, Neil has over 20 years’ expertise and experience in fields including medical diagnostics and implants, metallurgy and casting, chemical processing and all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle. He has particular experience in handling IP portfolios on behalf of UK government agencies and organisations, representing the UK’s Forensic Science Service for over a decade.

Neil handles all aspects of patents from drafting, through prosecution globally, to defence and enforcement in contentious proceedings. He has handled numerous EPO oppositions and appeals with a strong track record. Neil regularly provides opinions in patent infringement and validity cases, has defended revocation proceedings at UKIPO and supported patent litigation at all levels of the UK court system.

At all times, Neil aims to provide commercially-focused advice, which adds value to the client’s business. He is proud to have secured patents for clients that have been sold for eight-figure sums and, in other cases, have generated large licence income streams.

On the trade mark front, he has well over 20 years’ experience in clearing and securing trade mark rights for his clients, including the only UK registration for the plain word mark PERFECT.

He handles all aspects of contentious proceedings in the UK, European Community and elsewhere, with an emphasis on pragmatic and cost-effective negotiation whenever possible. Neil frequently handles UK and EUIPO opposition proceedings, together with invalidity actions.

Neil entered the profession in 1991 and joined Murgitroyd as part of the addition of UDL by Murgitroyd in October 2021. He won the Moss Prize and then the Gill Prize for the best candidate in the two sets of professional examinations leading to UK patent qualification. He has been recommended in the Legal 500 on a number of occasions. Neil also takes an active role in manging the firm, with particular responsibility for risk management issues.

Neil is based in our Leeds Office.