Alex Gittins

Background

Alex is a partner of the firm and handles a diverse range of work in the engineering, physical sciences and software fields, with significant experience in automotive, aerospace and power systems engineering.  He is also an Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). He previously worked for a major engineering consultancy, and holds a degree in physics from Imperial College, London. Alex joined the firm in 2008.

Type of clients and client work

Alex specialises in power systems and automotive engineering, and has represented a range of multinational clients in protecting and enforcing their patents.  His current practice focusses on contentious proceedings at the European Patent Office (EPO), where he is part of a revered team at Dehns having an in-depth knowledge of the opposition and appeal procedure.  He has handled hundreds of opposition cases, and acts as lead advocate for about 20 opposition and appeal hearings each year.  Alex has experience in all aspects of patent law including worldwide patent filing strategies, enforcement of patents, design registrations, IP licensing and issues of infringement and validity.

Recent notable cases:

T1724/23 (Alex successfully reversed both the first instance decision and the Board’s preliminary opinion, resulting in a significant limitation to the scope of the claim)

T2185/22 (Alex successfully overturned the first instance decision revoking the patent, with the Board allowing the client’s highest-ranking request)

T1371/20 and T0391/19 (Alex successfully overturned negative preliminary opinions of the Board)

T1945/19 and T0530/20 (Alex successfully revoked the opposed patents, overturning the first instance decisions in each case)

Expertise

Alex is retained for his specialist and expert knowledge in the more complex and high profile cases, such as those involving co-pending litigation.  As well as providing advocacy in such cases, he is also sought after for consultant work, for example to provide advice to other attorneys/law firms, or act as a ‘mock’ patentee/opponent.  He regularly presents EPO case law updates to members of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and elsewhere.

Qualifications and Memberships

• Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) 2023
• IP Litigator
• UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 2013
• European Patent Attorney, 2012
• Member of European Patent Litigators Association (EPLIT)
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
• Member of the European Patent Institute
• Member of the Royal College of Science and Institute of Physics

Higher Education

MSci Physics, Imperial College, London, 2008

Other

• Alex been mentioned in The Legal 500 2026 edition of the PATMA: Patent Attorneys ranking
• “Recommended Individual” for Automotive and transport / Electronics, in the JUVE Patent UK Rankings 2025
• Legal 500 “key lawyer” and “Next Generation Partner”
• “Recommended Individual” for Automotive and transport / Electronics, in the JUVE Patent UK Rankings 2024
• Praised for his “highly regarded work in oral proceedings”