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Catherine Bonner

Director, Patents

Southampton

Dr Catherine Bonner files and prosecutes patent and design applications across a wide range of mechanical engineering and physics-based subject matter, including medical technologies, telecommunications, photonics, high speed devices, switches and quantum technologies including encryption, electronics, fintech, software, gaming equipment and systems, fibre optics and cybersecurity.

Working with a broad range of clients including early-stage companies, SMEs and multinational corporations, Catherine also provides advice on invention harvesting, product clearance and the commercial management of IP rights, in addition to industrial designs.

Having graduated from St Andrews University with a Physics degree, Catherine went on to complete a PhD at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (University of Southampton). Her PhD research related to planar waveguide devices.

After entering the profession in 1999 and spending many years in private practice, Catherine joined Murgitroyd in 2019 following the acquisition of Chapman IP. Prior to joining Chapman IP, Catherine spent three years as a patent attorney in the intellectual property division of Dyson Technology.

A tutor within the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys’ tutorial programme, Catherine is one of the authors of the CIPA training manual for trainee patent attorneys. She regularly lectures on intellectual property law at both the University of Southampton and University of Reading.

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Sector expertise

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Medical Technologies
  • Medical devices
  • Renewable energy technologies
  • Telecommunications
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Photonics
  • High speed devices
  • Switches
  • Quantum technologies
  • Encryption
  • Electronics
  • Fintech
  • Software
  • Gaming equipment and systems
  • Fibre optics
  • Security
  • Displays
  • Entertainment equipment and systems

Key contributor to the team recognised as Highly Recommended by WIPR

WIPR UK Patent Rankings 2025

Key contributor to the team recognised in the Top Patent Law Firm Rankings

The Patent Lawyer Magazine - 2024 & 2025

Catherine Bonner is a valuable adviser on mechanical engineering and physics-based subject matter.

IAM 1000 2025 Research Insights

She collaborates closely with her patrons and liaises directly with inventors to ensure the patent applications she drafts are perfect translations of their inventions.

IAM 1000 2025 Research Insights

I do appreciate your help on this as it is so easy in the current business climate to get swallowed by immediate pressures!

Panel Manufacturer

Many thanks Catherine! We’d be lost without your guidance

Head of Product Development, Pharmaceutical Packaging Manufacturer and Designs client

Member of the China Team awarded "Most Recommended International IP Agencies" 2025

China in-house IP Managers Annual Conference - 2025

Catherine Bonner is “excellent at diagnosing issues and advising on exactly what needs to be done. She is able to boil highly complex issues down to easily digestible information, which makes working with her an absolute delight.

IAM 1000 - 2024

That is great to hear, thank you so much for your swift and effective delivery & service, send my huge appreciation and thanks to your team. You have enabled a very smooth process.

Director, UK client

I am delighted by the initial draft; it covers more than I hoped for.

Founder, Consultancy Company

Working with Murgitroyd is always a sincere pleasure! We greatly appreciate all of the valuable advice and assistance we have received over the years. Both our clients and theirs have benefitted greatly from Murgitroyd’s enthusiasm and expertise in European patent law.

US Law Firm

We have always received nothing but an excellent service from Murgitroyd. It is very refreshing to find a company that are so passionate and immensely knowledgeable about what they do. They provide our company with an excellent service and we would not go anywhere else for our IP strategy and protection. Our company are in a much better position because of Catherine Bonner and the team at Murgitroyd.

Southampton based Company

Murgitroyd has exceeded my expectations in providing strategic IP advice and they share our ambition for the growth of our business. Amazing service, I have learnt so much about IP. Thank you Murgitroyd!

UK Innovative Company

We have worked with Mugitroyd and, in particular, Catherine Bonner, for a number of years. We have nothing but good things to say about their professionalism, efficiency and ability. They are experts in the field of patents and have assisted a huge number of clients in protecting their rights, we look forward to working with them for many years to come.

London Based Law Firm

Leader of our Technology, Media & Telecoms Team awarded Gold by the Financial Times

Financial Times European Leading Patent Law Firms - 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025

Member of the China Team awarded "Most Recommended International IP Agencies" 2024

China in-house IP Managers Annual Conference - 2024

New inventors feel they receive a 'luxury' service and a 'business flight' standard from your search reports alongside a positive drafting experience!

European Patent Attorney, Global Fintech Company

Thank you, Catherine for all your help. Without IP a startup is valueless, and you have enabled us to retain our European rights.

Founder, Biotechnology Company

I have worked with this London lawyer for many many years and she recommends you as a star in the creation and filing of patents.

Director, Music Business

Thank you again for your help on this case at this point. I have really appreciated your advice and recommendations, with the knowledge that it is well rounded.

Australian Patent Attorney

The work performed by Catherine Bonner is phenomenal and always to the highest standard. What I appreciate most is her ability to quickly grasp the key elements of an invention and align with the commercial needs to come up with a patent application that accurately protects all relevant areas of our business.

IAM 1000 Research - 2023

Insights

All insights
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