Profile
Prior to coming to the Bar, Tom was a Senior Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge where he read Natural Sciences, specialising in Materials Science and Metallurgy. He spent parts of each summer working on database and software design and development.
After graduating in 2000, he went skiing for 5 months then worked through the spring and summer of 2001 at Lehman Brothers bank (which, at the time, appeared to be a very successful corporation) before returning to Cambridge to take the Engineering Department's unique Advanced Course in Design, Manufacture and Management (ACDMM). ACDMM exposed him to the operations of over 100 different technology companies, and led to him conducting projects in both large businesses (such as Agilent and Corus) and small (including a firm that made bullet-proof windows, and another that made laser marking machines).
Tom then worked for three years as a technical consultant at Cambridge Consultants Limited, a leading technology and innovation company, where he designed drug delivery devices, medical diagnostic equipment and novel domestic appliances
As a result of this background, Tom has experience of a very wide range of technologies, and an ability to rapidly assimilate and understand new areas.
Career
Tom specialises in intellectual property but his practice includes broader aspects of Chancery law. Tom undertook pupillage at 8 New Square, the Chambers of Mark Platts-Mills Q.C. The work he was involved in was heavily focussed on patent litigation and also provided a firm grounding in trade marks, passing off, copyright, design rights, IT and computer contract disputes, confidential information, and database rights.
In 2008-2009 Tom spent 9 months on secondment at IP litigation firm Powell Gilbert LLP.
Cases
Redwood Tree Services Limited v Aspey [2011] EWPCC 14
Acting for the Claimant in this passing off case in the Patents County Court.
Softlanding Systems Inc. v. KDP Software Ltd [2010] EWHC 326 TCC and [2010] EWCA Civ 1172
Acting for KDP (led by Jeremy Reed) in a computer contract dispute in the Technology and Construction Court and Court of Appeal.
Football Association Premier League Ltd v QC Leisure [2008] FSR 32 and CJEU Case 403/08
Acting as a junior counsel for the Defendants both in the Chancery Division and the CJEU in a case concerning the use of overseas satellite decoder cards under the Conditional Access Directive, numerous alleged copyright infringements in the broadcasts of Premier League football matches, and related competition issues. The Advocate General’s opinion is expected on 13 January 2011.
King Power Investments Limited v London Film Finance Limited
An action to recover the trade marks of the “Patrick Cox” fashion house, misappropriated by a former director then subjected to restraint orders imposed on that director by the Serious Fraud Office. Resolved without a trial.
TIP v Motorola [2010]
Assisting as a junior counsel for the Defendants in this patent dispute concerning mobile phone GPRS data. Settled on the eve of trial.
Nichia Corporation v Seoul Semiconductor Limted [2008]
While on a 9 month secondment to Powell Gilbert LLP, Tom was heavily involved in this substantial and highly technical patent action.
LB Europe v Smurfit [2007] EWCA Civ 933
Junior counsel in an appeal on infringement of a patent for wine-box taps.
Tom’s ongoing matters include actions by Mulberry against high street retailers relating to the designs in its ‘Alexa’ handbag; a claim for infringement of the copyright in a catalogue of celtic music; a claim arising from a dispute between a successful girl-band and their former management, various instructions defending private prosecutions connected to the FAPL case (above) and a range of other matters.
Directory & testimonial Quotes
Chambers & Partners 2012
"Thomas St Quintin is a talented up-and-coming junior who is building a strong practice across the spectrum of IP litigation. He has recently been instructed on a major computer copyright case in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and also acted on the high-profile dispute between the FA Premier League and QC Leisure over the use of the use of overseas satellite decoder cards. "
Membership
Intellectual Property Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
Qualifications and Regulations
Qualifications
M.Sci. MA (Cantab)
Regulations
Tom is a self-employed, independent barrister whose practice is governed by the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales. He is registered with the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales (Bar Ref: 50493)
He has professional indemnity insurance provided by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF Ref: 2190/054). Please refer to the
BMIF website for full details of the world-wide cover provided, and the BMIF’s contact details. Human interest
Tom plays rugby for Kings College Hospital RFC, and played for Trinity College throughout his time at university. He is an avid off-piste skier.