Lord Falconer suggests wider role for Trade Mark Attorneys in the Judiciary

Welcoming his comment that “..there were strong arguments for change that could make eligible a broader range of people with appropriate experience” including trade mark attorneys, Stephen James, President of ITMA, the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, said:

“Lord Falconer’s comments exactly mirror the responses we made in January to the Government’s consultation paper on increasing diversity in the judiciary service.

“In our response we said that we believe, in view of our specialist qualifications and experience, there should be opportunities in the Intellectual Property Courts for ITMA members to sit in a judicial capacity in appropriate cases, including in Appeals from the Patent Office and Trade Marks Registry.”

“It would appear that Lord Falconer has taken our comments on board and we look forward to seeing proposals as to how our members can play an active and constructive judicial role in the future.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) is the professional body for trade mark attorneys in the United Kingdom. Established in 1934, it plays a significant role in promoting the importance of registering trade marks. Our Members, Trade Mark Attorneys, give specialised legal advice and assistance relating to the selection, registration, protection and exploitation of all kinds of trademarks and brands, as well as designs.

2. Much of our Members’ work involves representing national and international clients of all kinds in registered trade mark and registered design matters before the UK Patent Office and before the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.

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