Background
Neil is a European and UK Chartered Patent Attorney. He graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from the University of Oxford, in Natural Sciences (Chemistry). His degree included a year of research in sugar chemistry. He joined Dehns in 1995, was made a Partner in 2003, and handles patent work in a wide range of chemical fields.
Type of clients and client work
Neil handles patent work for a variety of clients, from sole-inventors and small start-up companies to large multinational corporations. He provides patent drafting, filing, international prosecution and strategic IP portfolio advice. He is also a regular traveller to Munich and the Hague where he represents his clients before the opposition division and appeal board at the EPO. Neil regularly handles 10 to 15 such hearings every year.
Expertise
Neil handles work in various technical fields, with particular expertise in Polymer Chemistry, especially in polyethylene and polypropylene manufacture and formulation. He also has considerable experience in the drafting and prosecution of pharmaceutical patents. Other fields in which Neil works include: marine paints, chewing gum, graphene and nutraceuticals.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Authorised Representative before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) 2024
- UK Chartered Patent Attorney, 1999
- European Patent Attorney, 1999
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
- Member of the European Patent Institute
Higher Education
BA (First Class) University of Oxford, Natural Sciences (Chemistry), 1995
Certificate in IP Law, University of London, 1996
Other
Neil successfully represented Borealis in the game-changing and high profile EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal case G1/23. The G1/23 decision, announced in July 2025, has a major impact on what the EPO will consider as “Prior Art” going forward. For further information, please refer to the relevant article in the Articles section below.
Neil was named as a “Recommended Individual” for Chemistry, in the 2025 edition of the JUVE Patent UK Rankings.
Neil was recognised as a “Patent Star” in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions of Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars directory.
Departments
chemical, dispute resolution
Articles by Neil Campbell
G1/23 decision issued today with significant implications for the question “What is prior art?”
G1/23 decision issued today with significant implications for the question “What is prior art?”
02 Jul 2025
2 min read
Dehns successfully retains its highly ranked position in the IP Stars 2025 “Trade Mark Prosecution” category and several attorneys awarded Trade Mark and Patent IP Stars
Dehns successfully retains its highly ranked position in the IP Stars 2025 “Trade Mark Prosecution” category and several attorneys awarded Trade Mark and Patent IP Stars
04 Jun 2025
3 min read
Dehns acts before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal in a potentially game-changing case regarding the fundamental question: “What is prior art?”
Dehns acts before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal in a potentially game-changing case regarding the fundamental question: “What is prior art?”
13 Mar 2025
3 min read
Dehns named as “go-to firm for UK and EPO work” in the IAM Patent 1000 2023 edition
Dehns named as “go-to firm for UK and EPO work” in the IAM Patent 1000 2023 edition
12 Jul 2023
4 min read
How good does a copy need to be?
How good does a copy need to be?
13 Oct 2022
4 min read