Chris Hoole

Chris Hoole

Partner

LLB (Europe), MCITMA, Solicitor (England & Wales), Solicitor (Irish Roll)

Chris is a dual-qualified solicitor and chartered trade mark attorney, experienced in contentious and non-contentious intellectual property (IP) matters, including trade marks, designs, copyright and patents.

Working closely with a range of businesses, from blue-chip multinationals to SMEs, Chris provides tailored strategic and commercial advice to help IP-conscious businesses better protect and police their IP rights.

Chris has capitalised on his experience and commercial know-how to build and establish the firm’s highly-respected disputes team, and has acted for and advised clients in the High Court, the IPEC, and the UK and European patent and trade mark registries. Chris is also experienced in formal mediation.

Acting for clients across a spectrum of sectors, Chris specialises in fashion, sports, consumer goods, technology, food and beverage, and manufacturing sectors. He frequently works with clients to establish and maintain successful global anti-counterfeiting campaigns, both on and offline.

Recommended in Chambers 2026 as leading IP expert in the UK as well as clients, who comment: “What sets Chris apart is his unwavering dedication. He doesn’t just handle cases – he lives them with us.”

Chris is a frequent global speaker and editorial contributor, and is a member of both the Copyright Committee and the EU Intellectual Property Office Link Committee for ECTA, liaising directly with the EUIPO. He is also a member of the Anti-counterfeiting Group.

Chris is the learning and development officer for Cambridgeshire Law Society and is a mental health first aider.

Chris has contributed to various publications and consultations, and regularly writes for the CITMA Magazine and LexisNexis.

Recent cases:

– AR8D v Fashmode Ltd t/a Ego (IP-2025-000033)
– ASDA Stores Limited v Nador Cott Protection S.A.S (HP-2025-000001)
– PUMA SE v Ahmed and others (IP-2023-000069)
– Madd Gear Pty Limited and another v Cds Superstores International Limited (IP-2023-000096)
– Prevayl Innovations Limited v Whoop Inc. (IP-2022-000067)
– PUMA SE v Transport for London (IP-2022-000075)
– PUMA SE v Brooks Sports B.V. (IP-2022-000084)

AREAS OF PRACTICE IN TRADE MARKS:

Anti-counterfeiting
Branding
Copyright
Digital technology
Engineering and construction
Fashion and beauty
FMCG and consumer healthcare
Food and beverages
Franchising
Licensing
Professional practices
Retail
Sports and leisure

AREAS OF PRACTICE IN DISPUTES:

Advocacy
Appeals
Cease and desist
Court proceedings
Customs recordals
Dispute resolution
Domain name disputes
Enforcement
Infringement
Invalidity
IPEC
Licensing and royalty agreements
Mediation
Oppositions
Passing off
Revocations
Settlements

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Thought leadership from Chris Hoole:

Articles Mar122026

Appleyard Lees acts for successful defendants, Asda and IPL, in first claim for infringement of plant breeders’ rights brought to trial in the UK

"This is an important decision on many levels. In finding against NCP, the court has given clear, seminal guidance on the correct interpretation of essentially derived varieties under UK legislation."

Articles Nov222024

Thom Browne v adidas – are position marks valid?

In a decision with wide-ranging implications for position marks, the High Court dismissed adidas’ claims that Thom Browne’s ‘four-stripe’ motif infringes its iconic three-stripe logo. Here's everything you need to know about the case, and its implications.

Podcasts Jul182024

The Greenshoots Podcast by Appleyard Lees – commercialising innovation: five golden rules for licensors and licensees when licensing IP

In this episode, Amritjot Jethwa, Head of Commercial IP Contracts, is joined by Chris Hoole, Partner, in providing a quick-fire summary of 5 important factors to consider as a Licensor and as a Licensee when licensing technology, creating the building blocks for the successful commercialisation of IP.

Podcasts Jan192024

The Greenshoots Podcast by Appleyard Lees – when should early-stage companies consider IP contracts?

In this episode, Appleyard Lees partner, trade mark attorney and solicitor Chris Hoole, and head of commercial IP contracts Amritjot Jethwa look at the different types of IP agreements and contracts that businesses should have in place, at each stage of their growth.