Upcoming webinar: how to take a claim in the Intellectual Property Court
18 June 2026
Deputy District Judges Nicola Solomon and Richard Vary will explain how creators can take a claim in the Small Claims Track of the Intellectual Property Court, and will introduce the new guidance.
The webinar will be free to join for all CRA members and their creator members. It will be a highly practical and demystifying session aimed at creators litigating in person and those who help them.
Save the date: 3pm, 9th September 2026
Further details and joining instructions will be shared via CRA members in due course.
About the speakers
Richard Vary
“I specialise in patent disputes in the technology and communications industry. I'm a partner in the London office, where I work with an amazing team of high-tech patent litigators. As well as the patent expertise you'd expect, we have developed a unique expertise in the valuation of portfolios and FRAND.
Before Bird & Bird, I was Vice President and Head of Litigation at Nokia, where I managed global commercial litigation and was part of the Legal & Compliance leadership team. This mostly involved mobile telecoms patent litigation and arbitration all around the world, and I had a very successful track record in global patent litigation strategy. I was awarded 'In-House Counsel of the Year' by "The Lawyer" and have twice been recognised in Managing IP's annual list of the 50 most influential people in intellectual property.
I have also worked on a variety of international litigation and arbitration matters, from competition law to commercial and tax disputes, as well as brand protection, trademarks, and design and copyright issues.
I'm a part-time District Judge in the London and South East circuit, and in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court.”
Nicola Solomon OBE has been a Deputy District Judge since 1999. After working as a solicitor in private practice for 28 years, specialising in intellectual property and freedom of expression, she was Chief Executive of the Society of Authors for 13 years and also Chair of the Creators Rights Alliance. She has an OBE for services to authors and the creative industries.
Anna Ganley is Chief Executive of the Society of Authors – the UK’s largest trade union for writers, illustrators and literary translators at all stages of their careers. They have been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century. Anna is also Chair of the Creators' Rights Alliance – a coalition that exists to promote, protect and further the interests of creators through policy, advocacy and campaigning work. Anna sits on the board of the International Authors Forum and the London Book Fair Advisory Board.
Born in Sunderland, Anna grew up on the north-east coast. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Durham and her MA in Management from Durham Business School.
Photo: © Annie Johnston Photography
