Hogarth, 19 Old Buildings join to create IP mega-set

Hogarth Chambers has merged with 19 Old Buildings to form the bar’s largest IP set.

Alastair Wilson QC and the three other existing tenants from 19 Old Buildings will move on 1 October to the 26-strong Hogarth in Lincoln’s Inn.

Hogarth was forged out of the merger of One Raymond Buildings and 5 New Square in April 2001.

Wilson approached Hogarth with the idea of merging, although Kevin Garnett QC, who jointly heads the larger set with Christopher Morcom QC, said he was keen to take up the offer.

“They’re all well-established IP practitioners and it’s obviously good for us to strengthen our numbers. They also add to our strengths in patents, IT work and privacy,” Garnett said.

The merger leaves just three other substantial IP sets: 8 New Square, Three New Square and 11 South Square. At the time of the 2001 merger, Hogarth said it hoped to be the UK’s number one IP set within five years, while the latest amalgamation comes during a flourishing period for the trademark industry.

The set now hopes to strengthen its chancery and commercial arm.

Hogarth will retain 19 Old Buildings’ current site as an annexe when Wilson, the set’s head, moves over with Michael Hicks, Peter Colley and Jeremy Reede.

Hogarth barristers acted recently in Michael Douglas’s case against Hello! and the Arsenal FC replica shirts case.