Expertise

Patent specialist John Hull has worked with many leading multinationals, particularly those operating in the global chemicals sector, though he also enjoys providing his brand of pragmatic, commercial advice to small and medium-sized UK companies, attracting plaudits for his business acumen and willingness to go the extra mile. Also known as a skilled and experienced patent litigator, his advocacy skills and technical knowledge have drawn plaudits from clients.

John has over 20 years’ experience, working mainly in the chemical sector. His practice focuses on the specialist areas of polymers, catalysts, medical devices and scientific instrumentation. He has also advised extensively on pharmaceuticals, chemical engineering, packaging and mechanical devices.

As well as prosecuting cases at the European and UK Patent Offices for a variety of multinational corporations, John has comprehensive experience of handling oppositions and appeals at the European Patent Office, with a high success rate. Qualified to conduct IP litigation before the UK courts, he has also run litigation before the IPEC.

John enjoys working closely with his clients from early stage development right through to product launch, gaining in the process an outstanding grasp of their products and business drivers. This involves assessing the patent landscape, providing freedom to operate opinions, giving robust commercial advice, and drafting and prosecuting new patent applications.

Always keen to be at the forefront of developments within the industry, John is a contributor to the Guide to the Patents Acts, published on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), the standard reference text for the UK’s patent attorneys. He also helps provide a monthly update on UK patent case law for the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys journal.

Recommendations

John is recommended for patents in The Legal 500 UK 2024 and IAM Patent 1000 2023.

“John Hull, Catherine Jewell, and Anna Hatt are excellent patent practitioners, and they particularly stand out for their ability to apply European patent law to navigate complex opposition issues.”
Client testimonial, Legal 500 UK 2024

“Catherine Jewell and John Hull’s knowledge of oppositions and case law is impressive; John quickly identifies the key issues and case law that would be most relevant to the matter, and Catherine’s ability to quickly take on complicated matters is unsurpassed.”
Client testimonial, Legal 500 UK 2024

“John Hull is an engaging and articulate communicator. While assisting with an EP opposition, he was particularly helpful at explaining nuances and adjusting our arguments and reasonings accordingly.”
Client testimonial, IAM Patent 1000 2023

“John Hull – I greatly appreciated his legal and technical analysis and trusted his advice on patent related matters. John is a deep and quick thinker on his feet. I also appreciated his responsiveness.”
Client testimonial, Legal 500 UK 2023

“John brings 20 years’ experience to his practice handling EPO oppositions and litigating before the UK courts and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. John shows a keen grasp of highly technical subject matter and speaks eloquently and persuasively in hearings.”
IAM Patent 1000 2022

“[John’s] advocacy skills are also outstanding. I have always appreciated his utmost professionalism and positive attitude when working together. ”
Client testimonial, Legal 500 UK 2022

Awards

The Legal 500 UK, 2024, Recommended Lawyer

Career

John trained and qualified at Beck Greener. John passed the Intellectual Property Litigation and Advocacy course at Nottingham Law School in 2013 with distinction, earning enhanced rights to conduct IP litigation in the UK courts.