A memorable evening at the first ever joint CITMA and CIPA Paralegal Reception

2nd Apr 2026

With the recent launch of our Paralegal Conference this September, CITMA Paralegal, Paul Farrell reflects on our inaugural joint Paralegal Reception with CIPA last autumn.

It was an absolute pleasure to attend the inaugural joint Paralegal Reception hosted by CITMA and CIPA (Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys). The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers from both professions in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

I was accompanied by my colleagues Jackie and Claire, both of whom are CIPA IP paralegals. We had travelled to London to attend the CIPA Paralegal Conference the following day, making this reception the perfect start to our trip.

As we arrived at the venue, we were warmly greeted by friendly staff members from both CITMA and CIPA, who directed us into a spacious and well-appointed area where the gathering was taking place.

The atmosphere was immediately welcoming, with plenty of familiar faces and new ones to meet. It was clear that the reception had drawn a generous crowd of paralegals, all eager to connect with others in similar roles across the two professions.

The conversation quickly flowed, with attendees sharing insights into their various duties within their respective companies. A particularly interesting aspect of the evening was the number of dual-qualified paralegals who attended. Many of them, due to the nature of their work, have become specialists in either patents or trade marks, and it was fascinating to hear about how their roles had evolved as a result.

Both CITMA and CIPA were well represented by staff members and committee representatives, which provided the perfect opportunity for me to catch up with fellow committee members in person. As someone who is fortunate enough to be involved in both organisations, it was great to have everyone under the same roof and exchange thoughts on the ongoing work within each institution.

As the evening unfolded, it was clear that time had a way of flying by. The conversations continued to flow seamlessly, aided by a generous supply of wine, and before we knew it, the night had come to a close. Everyone agreed that the event had been a tremendous success, and there was a shared hope that CITMA and CIPA would host another joint reception in the future.

It was an evening of networking, learning, and building connections, a wonderful start to what I hope will become a regular event on the calendar for paralegals across both fields.

If you’re looking for ways you can continue to build connections this year, super earlybird tickets are now available for this year’s Paralegal Conference – At the sharp end – where knowledge shapes practice.

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