Be part of our intensive Spring Conference. Gain the skills and knowledge UK-based IP professionals like you need to thrive.
CITMA Spring Conference returns in 2026 as a one-day event, laser-focused on excellence. In the heart of the City of London, hear Supreme Court analysis, AI insights, landmark case discussions and more. Learn new ways to excel as a trade mark professional practising in the UK.
Strengthen ties with fellow IP professionals the evening before at our Spring Party. Back for its second year, enjoy music, canapes and great conversation at Sea Containers, a remarkable Thameside venue.
Learn
Hear representatives from leading London practices, registries and IPReg in a day packed with high-quality sessions.
Explore hot topics including the Supreme Court’s evolving approach to intellectual property, supplier and practitioner perspectives on AI, and disclosures in IP litigation. This follows a UK case law update.
You’ll also discover practical strategies for supporting mental wellbeing and creating healthier, more sustainable workplaces.
Connect
Last year’s inaugural Spring Party was a sell-out success. Join us on 18th March at Sea Containers for an unforgettable Spring Party 2026.
Taking place the evening before the Conference this year, get to know fellow delegates better over music, finger food and drinks. Strengthen relationships in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
During the Conference, celebrate the profession in great company at our ever-popular lunch. Stay the evening for our drinks reception.
Grow
Spring Conference 2026 offers you many opportunities across the day to develop personally and professionally, as you reflect, plan, record and evaluate new skills and knowledge with us.
This year, our focus is on the UK-based trade mark attorney community. Develop critical skills that best prepare you for continued success in IP.
What to expect
Alongside fellow CITMA members, in the heart of London’s vibrant financial district, you’ll enjoy:
Wednesday 18th March (evening):
- Our second Spring Party at Sea Containers, an iconic venue beside the Thames on London’s South Bank
Thursday 19th March (full day):
- Cutting-edge programme of industry talks, discussions, insights and updates at The Minster Building in the heart of the City
- Networking opportunities with the UK trade mark community
- An exclusive lunch for Conference guests only
- Drinks reception to close the day
This event is always popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Our venues
The Minster Building
We’re excited to announce that we’ll host our Spring Conference at a new venue in 2026 – The Minster Building in the City of London.
Recently remodelled, this 1980s icon is home to modern legal, media and tech businesses. With glass-topped atrium and bright, open floors, it’s the perfect space for a conference filled with focused sessions.
Enjoy a day in London’s globally significant financial district.
Address: 21 Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AG
Sea Containers
The evening before the Conference, we’ll meet at the unmistakable Sea Containers on the South Bank for our second Spring Party.
Designed to evoke a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner, the iconic venue offers striking views along the Thames. As the sun sets, watch as St Paul’s, the City and London’s famous bridges light the scene.
Need somewhere to stay the night? The stylish hotel offers spacious rooms, a wellness spa and exquisite morning views.
Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD
Programme
Wednesday 18th March (evening):
Our Spring Party at Sea Containers, an iconic venue beside the Thames on London’s South Bank.
Thursday 19th March 2026:
| Time | What's happening? | Who's speaking? |
|---|---|---|
| 9am | Registration with light refreshments | |
| 10am |
Introduce the day
|
Keven Bader, CITMA |
| 10:05am |
Welcome message
|
Kelly Saliger, CITMA |
| 10:10am |
Keynote address
|
To be announced |
| 10:25am |
UK case law update
|
Sarah Talland, Potter Clarkson |
| 11:15am | Take the opportunity to network over a coffee | |
| 11:45am |
IP in the Supreme Court: Trends, Cases and Consequences
Explore the Supreme Court's evolving approach to IP, in light of a growing number of IP cases reaching the UK's highest court.
Douglas Campbell KC will review recent landmark rulings – including the Iconics decision on post-sale confusion – and consider wider consequences of increasing divergence from EU law for IP practitioners. |
Douglas Campbell KC, 3 New Square |
| 12:25pm |
Artificial intelligence
We'll get both the supplier and practitioner perspective on AI in this hot-topic discussion.
|
To be announced |
| 1pm | Lunch | |
| 2pm |
Life in the Law: Turning insight into action
Join Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive of LawCare, as she presents key findings from the Life in the Law report, followed by a panel discussion with mental health champions from leading firms.
The session will explore practical strategies and best practices to support mental wellbeing and create healthier, more sustainable workplaces within the legal profession. |
Elizabeth Rimmer (Chair) Doris Akufo-Addo, Lewis Silkin Kay Szawlis, Springbird IP |
| 2:40pm |
IP post-Brexit
Using the Basmati Case, we'll look into the EUIPO dismissing UK evidence post-Brexit, and examine whether we might expect a reverse decision in future.
|
Allister McManus, Elkington & Fife |
| 3:15pm | Tea and coffee break | |
| 3:45pm |
Disclosures in IP Litigation
Our speakers will discuss different disclosure regimes as per the different IP courts you're in, for example IPEC vs small claims. They'll also look at claiming privilege, the flipside to disclosure.
|
Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy, Baker McKenzie 2nd speaker TBC |
| 4:30pm |
The Future of Lookalikes Post-Thatchers
Geoff Steward and Bence Bozóki will explore the broader implications and key learnings from the Thatchers case, highlighting its impact on trademark law and enforcement.
|
Bence Bozóki, Mars Geoff Steward, Addleshaw Goddard |
| 5:05pm |
Close the day
|
Kelly Saliger, CITMA |
| 5:10pm | Drinks reception |
Cost
Your ticket includes:
- Access to all sessions and networking opportunities
- An invitation to CITMA’s second ever Spring Party, including finger food
- A delicious lunch with plenty of tea and coffee
- Exclusive access to presentation slides
- Member rate: £500
- Standard rate: £575
Earlybird offer: Book by 20th February 2026 to save £50
Meet your speakers
Doris Afuko-Addo, Lewis Silkin
Doris is a CITMA-qualified Senior Trade Mark Paralegal with significant experience in trade mark formalities and global portfolio management. She has strong international experience, having worked in Dubai covering the MENA region, and regularly managing worldwide portfolios. Her role involves working closely with clients, attorneys, and IP offices across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance and delivering strategic support.
Doris is skilled in handling complex formalities processes and proficient in IP management systems, with a focus on efficiency and best practice.
She actively contribute to the CITMA Trade Mark Paralegal Course, recording and presenting course content, and stays engaged in the wider IP community. As a member and mentor with IP Inclusive, she is passionate about supporting diversity and inclusion within the profession. In addition, Doris volunteer with the Samaritans, offering support to those in need and helping promote mental wellbeing.
Bence Bozóki, Mars
Bence is Senior IP Counsel at Mars, working for the company’s confectionery business globally. His team supports iconic brands like SNICKERS®, TWIX®, DOVE/GALAXY®, MARS®, MALTESERS®, CELEBRATIONS®, MILKY WAY®, and BOUNTY®. Bence specialises in crafting and executing enforcement strategies, leading trademark litigation, and advising on building robust global trademark portfolios.
He has extensive experience in addressing issues related to lookalike products. Before joining Mars, Bence was a Senior Associate at SBGK, a leading IP law firm in Budapest, Hungary. He is a regular speaker at industry events and a member of the MARQUES Unfair Competition team.
Douglas Campbell KC, Three New Square
Douglas is one of the few silks to excel at both hard and soft IP. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1993 and took silk in 2016; was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2021; was registered as a legal practitioner with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in 2024; and was registered as a Unified Patent Court (UPC) legal representative in 2024.
Douglas has been a Recorder since October 2010 and a Deputy High Court Judge since 2015. He is also the Editor of Terrell on the Law of Patents, the leading practitioner text on UK patent law, currently in its 20th edition.
Elizabeth Rimmer, Lawcare
Elizabeth is the CEO of LawCare, the mental health charity for the UK legal sector. She started her working life as a solicitor specialising in clinical negligence, practicing at Leigh Day. She joined LawCare from the Institute of Group Analysis, a membership and training organisation for group psychotherapists. Before that she headed up Alzheimer’s Disease International, a worldwide federation of Alzheimer associations. Elizabeth is Co-Chair of the Helplines Partnership (national charity for support and advice services) and a member of the International Bar Association’s Professional Wellbeing Commission and chairs the Commission’s regulatory and ethics committee.
Allister McManus, Elkington Fife
Allister joined Elkington + Fife as an Associate Trade Mark Attorney in August 2018.
He also has an interest in US trade marks and how to best assist UK businesses in the US, and he has contributed written articles on the subject as well as general best practice trade mark advice for business in the UK and EU.
The majority of Allister's work focuses primarily on contentious matters.
Geoff Steward, Addleshaw Goddard
Geoff is an IP and commercial litigator with over 30 years of trial experience. He has acted for some of the world’s biggest
brands across a broad range of sectors (including sport, retail, FMCG, fashion, publishing, and aviation).
Geoff has significant experience in trade mark infringement, registered and unregistered design infringement, and copyright
infringement as well as licensing, supply and contractual disputes. He has acted on numerous reported IP cases and passing off, including the leading authorities on post sale confusion in trade mark infringement, and on statutory acquiescence, and registered design infringement.
Geoff is noted for his campaigning against lookalikes and advised M&S on the Colin the Caterpillar wars.
Kelly Saliger, CITMA President
A dual qualified Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and Solicitor, Kelly has a wealth of experience advising brand owners on all matters relating to trade mark and design portfolios.
Kelly has over 10 years’ experience in the field and specialises in international litigation, enforcement and strategy particularly in the field of technology and media. She has acted before the Appointed Person and led multi-territorial prosecution and litigation. Kelly was elected as CITMA's President in April last year, and chairs its Education, Qualifications and Standards Committee.
Kay Szawlis, Springbird IP
Having spent over a decade in the world of trade marks and patents, Kay is an expert Trade Mark Paralegal with extensive experience in portfolio management for a variety of clients. With a history of working in both large and small firms, Kay is a highly adaptable paralegal well versed in both the commercial and pragmatic thinking required to effectively protect client’s most valuable assets.
Sarah Talland, Potter Clarkson
Sarah is an experienced trade mark attorney and works with clients across a variety of sectors in all aspects of trade mark prosecution as well as complex contentious matters. Sarah works for clients in a wide range of areas, but specialises in the food and drink sector, cosmetics, and the automotive industries. She also has a particular interest in non-traditional trade marks and has extensive experience of advising on and protecting such marks. Sarah regularly speaks on IP matters at business events and seminars.
Rachel Wilkinson Duffy, Baker McKenzie LLP
Rachel advises on all aspects of trade mark and design protection and enforcement, including global filing strategies, clearance searching and transactions involving intellectual property for the UK, EU, Madrid Protocol and overseas.
Rachel specialises in trade mark disputes such as infringements, oppositions, cancellation actions, company and domain name disputes and dispute resolution.
She is the immediate past CITMA President and was the Chair of the Law & Practice Committee for many years, so has regular interaction with government officials at the UK IPO, EUIPO and WIPO, amongst others.
Please note
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- Full terms and conditions apply.
- Closing date: 5pm, Friday 6th March.
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