AI is here, entwined in our lives. But what does it mean for you and your practice? Join our Spring Conference to better understand AI in IP. And to develop strategies to thrive in this new reality.
The CITMA Spring Conference 2027 is a one-day event with full focus on AI in IP. Benefits and emerging concerns. Real-world cases and standout stories. Plus practical strategies you can take back to your desk for a competitive advantage. Be clued up on all the latest developments.
Join fellow IP professionals in the heart of the City of London for a day packed with expert talks, updates and fireside chats. Stay at the venue into the evening for our canapé and drinks reception.
Invigorated, leave later with new skills, knowledge and approaches. Things you can do today to succeed in an AI-influenced future.
Learn
Hear from the UK IPO, leading IP barristers, representatives from London practices, and our own AI Committee chair on everything AI.
Understand how AI-generated claims and applications are delaying the UK IPO and IPEC. How successful brand owners are navigating advertising issues. How AI can speed up delivery in licensing. And more.
We have UK case law and UK IPO updates, and will introduce our first ever feedback session. It’s your time to share ideas and ask questions.
Connect
Enjoy a full, uninterrupted day getting to know the CITMA community. We’ll remain in the same impressive venue all day and into the evening.
Get reacquainted with old connections at morning coffee. Make new ones over our exclusive lunch. During evening drinks, develop deeper relationships and build your network in a casual environment.
CITMA Spring Conference is the premier networking event for UK trade mark professionals. Leave an impression throughout the day.
Grow
Our Spring Conference 2027 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.
Develop critical skills that best prepare you for success, as AI meets IP. Among the very best minds in the global trade mark industry.
What to expect
Alongside the warm and encouraging CITMA community, in London’s globally powerful financial district, you’ll enjoy:
- A packed AI-inspired programme of industry talks, discussions and updates at 1 Basinghall Avenue in the heart of the City
- Networking opportunities with the UK trade mark community
- An exclusive lunch for conference guests only
- An evening canapé and drinks reception
This event is always popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Our venue
1 Basinghall Avenue, London
We’re delighted to host the CITMA Spring Conference 2027 at this sleek, modern events space in the financial heart of the City.
1 Basinghall Avenue sits in London’s most historic district. It’s moments from Guildhall, in an area once home to significant City of London livery companies, including Weavers’, Coopers’ and Girdlers’ Companies.
Today, the address is a state-of-the-art conference venue. Join us in our own private area, away from the hustle of the main building.
We’ll be a short walk from Moorgate and Bank stations.
Address: 1 Basinghall Avenue, London EC2V 5DD
Programme
Wednesday 10th March 2027
|
Time |
What’s happening? |
Who’s speaking? |
|
9am |
Registration, with light refreshments |
|
|
10am |
Introduce the day |
Keven Bader, CITMA |
|
10:05am |
Welcome message |
Daniel Hardman-Smart, CITMA |
|
10:10am |
Keynote address |
To be announced |
|
10:25am |
UK case law update Explore the year’s most significant UK intellectual property developments. Gain analysis of critical rulings from the UK IPO and courts across England, Scotland and Wales. From procedural changes to substantive law developments, you’ll emerge with the knowledge to anticipate trends and advise clients with authority. |
Jessie Bowhill KC, 8 New Square
|
|
11.15am |
Take the opportunity to network over a coffee |
|
|
11:45am |
UK IPO update Hear direct from the UK IPO on the latest changes that affect UK practitioners. Learn about the volume of AI-generated claims and applications causing delays at the IPO and IPEC. |
To be announced |
|
12:25pm |
Online enforcement Enjoy a practical guide to online enforcement outside the courtroom, from takedown strategies to working with enforcement providers, plus emerging questions around AI. |
To be announced
|
|
1pm |
Lunch |
|
|
2pm |
Comparative advertising, CAP codes and co-branding A practical look at the advertising issues facing brand owners and those who advise them. Simon will explore where the risks lie, and how to navigate them with confidence. |
Simon Jupp, |
|
2:40pm |
Meet the Appointed Persons – A fireside chat Hear directly from the Appointed Persons about what the role involves, and what makes a good appeal. Expect practical tips for practitioners, plus join in with a lively, open Q&A. |
To be announced |
|
3:15pm |
Tea and coffee break |
|
|
3:45pm |
Lessons in licensing Done well, licensing is a powerful commercial lever that shapes filing strategy, sharpens portfolio management and strengthens brand protection. Rose will guide us through what works when drafting and negotiating the terms that matter most, hard-won lessons from the toughest negotiations (and disputes), and where AI genuinely speeds up delivery. |
Rose Smalley Gordon, Womble Bond Dickinson |
|
4:30pm |
Feedback from the floor Join in an open session led by the CITMA AI & Technology Committee, drawing together AI issues raised across the day, from hallucinated citations and automated takedowns to AI-generated submissions. Share your experiences and questions to help shape how CITMA supports you on AI. |
Azhar Sadique, CITMA AI Committee chair
|
|
5:05pm |
Closing comments |
Daniel Hardman-Smart, CITMA |
|
5:10pm – 7pm |
Canapé and drinks reception, also at 1 Basinghall Avenue |
|
Cost
Your ticket includes:
- Access to all sessions and networking opportunities
- A delicious lunch with plenty of tea and coffee
- Private evening canapé and drinks reception
- Exclusive access to presentation slides
Member rate: £500
Standard rate: £575
Earlybird offer: Book by 5th February 2027 to save £50
Meet your speakers
Jessie Bowhill KC, 8 New Square
Jessie focuses in particular on copyright, trade marks and passing off, design right, breach of confidence, database rights and privacy, representing musicians, academics, artists, broadcasters, film makers, production companies, publishers, brand owners (from global businesses to SMEs) and well known individuals across all of these areas. Her previous training as a classical pianist and in depth knowledge of music theory gives her the edge in musical copyright cases and she is described in the directories as the “go-to” barrister in this area of law.
Prior to taking silk Jessie won Media, Privacy & Information Law Junior of the Year at the Chambers & Partners awards ceremony in 2025, and was ranked as the “Star Individual” for Media and Entertainment by Chambers & Partners in 2025 and 2026. In 2023 she was named in The Lawyer’s “Hot 100 – The Stars of 2023”.
Daniel Hardman-Smart, Stobbs
Dan joined Stobbs in July 2019 after working as a solo practitioner and small business owner. He has assisted many entrepreneurs and SMEs with protecting their trade marks, passing off rights and designs.
He is particularly interested in international trade marks and managing portfolios around the world, and has a specialism in the registration and maintenance of trade marks in isolated or less known jurisdictions.
He is the current CITMA President, has been a lead tutor on the CITMA Paralegal Course for a number of years, and chairs the CITMA Paralegal Committee.
Simon Jupp, Winston Taylor
Simon is a senior brands lawyer advising on soft IP and advertising, with dual experience that enables him to provide a holistic approach to building and protecting brands.
Simon advises on IP litigation and dispute resolution, portfolio strategy and management, as well as commercial transactions across the full range of IP rights. This dovetails with his work in advertising, where he helps clients with advertising campaigns, promotions, copy clearance, regulatory compliance, investigations, complaints and disputes, sponsorship and influencer agreements, and all advertising and consumer rights issues.
Simon sits on the Anticounterfeiting Committee of INTA, the International Trademark Association.
Rose Smalley-Gordon, Womble Bond Dickinson
![Smalley%20Rose%20Word[1]_120535783.jpg](https://www.citma.org.uk/static/0d1ac9e5-cee7-4694-9716a0ad950d0a98/150x150_highestperformance_/Smalley20Rose20Word1120535783.jpg)
Rose specialises in intellectual property, advising clients on protection, exploitation and enforcement in relation to trade marks, passing off, copyright, designs, patents, rights in confidential information, and transactional matters. Rose's litigation practice covers disputes in various specialist forums and various domain name dispute resolution forums.
Rose studied at the University of Oxford receiving an undergraduate degree in Jurisprudence and Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice. She is a Co-Chair for Young Members for the Licensing Executives Society Britain & Ireland Council and sits on the Working Group for Conferences for the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys.
Azhar Sadique, CITMA AI Committee Chair
Azhar is an intellectual property expert committed to revolutionizing the IP industry. Azhar’s approach focuses on empowering clients with bespoke solutions that suit their individual needs by adopting cutting edge technologies like blockchain management and integratable data.
With experience in trade mark practice and product creation, Azhar has been a key member of advisory boards within the industry and is the current chair of the CITMA AI and Technology Committee. Azhar is recognised in the Legal 500, World Trade Mark Review 1000, and listed as an MIP - IP Star.
Please note
- Payment online via debit or credit card only; proforma invoices are not available.
- Full terms and conditions apply.
- Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 3rd March 2027.
