Michael Smith Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

Michael is a barrister specialising in intellectual property, insolvency and general commercial litigation.His intellectual property practice comprises copyright, designs, trade marks and trade names, passing off, patents and confidential information.In his insolvency practice, he acts for trustees in bankruptcy, liquidators, creditors and debtors.Michael has a reputation as an excellent litigation strategist and tactician. His forensic analysis of documents is meticulous and he has a keen eye for the unusual. He is known for his thorough and well considered advice and his strong commercial focus. He is an effective and persuasive advocate whose cross-examination can turn a trial.Michael also deals with company law matters, commercial matters and general chancery work.

Michael specialises in all aspects of intellectual property, media and entertainment, sports law and IT law and has a growing general Chancery practice including insolvency and property. He is experienced in corporate insolvency matters including liquidations and administrations and bankruptcy matters including trustees' applications in respect of property.His cross-discipline practice makes Michael a key player for intellectual property and IT matters arising out of insolvency, professional negligence and other commercial claims.Michael is currently led in a long-running technology dispute in the Technology and Construction Court. Recently, he has been led in the High Court in Magical Marking & anr v Ware & Kay LLP & oths [2013] - a 13 day trial on solicitors' negligence relating to advice on company law and intellectual property infringement. He has also been led in Seaton & Oths v Seddon & Oths [2012] EWHC 735 (Ch), a four-day application, which contained an important legal point on the interplay between limitation and mental capacity, and in MSL & Oths v Clearwell [2012] EWHC 3707 (QB) a four-day trial. Michael has appeared in the the High Court for numerous trials and applications, in the Court of Appeal, and in numerous County Court appeals, hearings and trials on matters including intellectual property, procedural matters, contracts, insolvency, and possession.Michael writes the articles on Passing Off for Westlaw's Insight series

At 11 South Square, I worked under the tutelage of four accomplished Intellectual Property barristers, from whom I gained the benefit of over 40 years’ collective experience at the IP bar. I learned an enormous amount from their encyclopaedic knowledge of law and practice, sitting-in and assisting with five High Court trials, two appeals and numerous interim and case management hearings. In addition, I had many opportunities to produce written work, including statements of case, opinions and skeleton arguments.

Bvc, Bar Vocational Course, Very Competent

Pgdl, Graduate Diploma In Law, Commendation

Msci, Theoretical Physics, 1St Class (Hons)

Education record