Whilst i’ve been celebrating the University of Law formally accepting CILEX Advocates onto their Higher Rights of Audience course and attending the Court of Appeal (merely sat behind Counsel as a consultant of the Respodnent’s law firm), the real story was a few corridors down in Court 75.
In the case of Extreme E Limited v Extreme Networks Limited, the appellant (ENL) was represented by Mr Aaron Wood (who appeared for his client in the High Court in the first appeal of the matter).
Even now, as CILEX lawyers embark on their journey to become higher court advocates, many—if not most—are completely unaware that there are other professionals who are not barristers or solicitor-advocates appearing in senior courts. For example, Mr. Wood, who is a Trade Mark Attorney, is one such individual.
Aaron informed me that this was not his first appearance before the Court of Appeal; it was just the first time he appeared in person instead of remotely. Although I was aware that Trade Mark Attorneys have the right of audience, I was disappointed to learn that someone like Aaron has already appeared in the Court of Appeal before (Thomas v Luv One Luv All Promotions Ltd & Anor [2021] EWCA Civ 732) and I wasn’t even aware of it. I believe others should be aware of this as well.
It seems that Trade Mark Attorneys are underappreciated, and the legal sector is even less aware of them compared with CILEX. Therefore, this post is about Aaron and Trade Mark Attorneys.
What is a Trade Mark Attorney?
A Trade Mark attorney specialises in trademark law and helps individuals, businesses, and organizations with trademark protection, registration, and enforcement. Trademarks are unique signs, such as logos or slogans, that identify goods or services.
These attorneys are qualified to represent clients in various intellectual property legal matters, including appeals in the High Court and litigations in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC). They can also obtain a further advocacy and litigation certificate to appear in all Courts (namely the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court).
Trade Mark Attorneys are regulated by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board and their representative body is the Chartered Institute of Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys.
How do they qualify?
To qualify as a Trade Mark Attorney, it’s not compulsory to have a law degree but a degree with at least 2:1 is required. The law degree may provide exemptions.
The next step of the qualification is a postgraduate course, offered by select universities. The first court is the ‘Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property’. This covers Patents & Design and Copyright and Trademarks. The second qualification is the “Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice” and is the final qualification required for the vocational element of the qualification.
After undertaking the two qualifications, an applicant will need to complete two years’ work experience in trade mark legal practice to qualify as a trade mark attorney. They would normally do this while they are studying at the firm that has taken them on as a trainee and under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
Who is Aaron Wood?
Aaron has been undertaking senior court advocacy in trade mark matters for years (with one of his earliest reported cases being 2015 where he is identified as a Trade Mark Advocate).
Aaron Wood is a Chartered Trademark Attorney in the UK with over 20 years of experience in intellectual property. He joined Novagraaf in 2024 after working at various law and attorney firms. Some of those firms inclde:-
- Brandsmiths
- Blaser Mills law
- Keystone Law
- Wood IP
- Swindell & Pearson
- Wilson Gunn
- Simmons & Simmons.
Aaron holds an LLB in Law with French Law from the University of Birmingham and a Diplome en Etudes Juridiques Francaises from the University of Limoges. He is a Chartered Trade Mark attorney with certificates in Trade Mark Litigators and Advocates, a qualified mediator, and a member of both the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Society of Mediators.
He has expertise in trademark registration and portfolio management, trademark prosecution, trademark filing strategies, trademark dispute resolution and IP litigation. He specialises in automotive and aviation, beverages, fashion and textiles, food and food technology, sports, travel and entertainment, and telecommunications.
His profile on his current firm’s website is just a snippet of the matters that Aaron has been involved with, and many of his other cases can be found in reported matters online and in resources such as WestLaw.
Don’t forget!
While I am pleased that CILEX is making progress, I believe it’s important to acknowledge the various types of lawyers beyond just the two commonly recognised. There are Cost Lawyers, Licensed Conveyancers, Notaries, and many others. It’s evident that there are more than just two or three types of legal professionals in England and Wales.
We should do more to recognise them, especially those like Aaron, who has achieved so much and probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
Information
AJH Advocacy Limited, a Limited Company which is regulated by the Bar Standards Boards (entity number 190758), ceases trading on the 12th January 2026.
From the 12th January 2026 and onwards, Alec Hancock will practice as a Barrister at Magdalen Chambers in Exeter. For instructions on matters on or after 12th January 2026, please contact Magdalen Chambers via clerks@magdalenchambers.co.uk or by telephone on 01392 285 200.