The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys holds regular Clinics at a number of sites around the UK to provide free basic advice to unrepresented innovators who are at the early stages of developing an idea. The Clinics are all given by a Registered Patent Attorney who is a Fellow of the Institute.
Listed below are the current sites for CIPA IP Clinics and other IP Advice Clinics, and contact details for arranging an appointment.
Many firms of patent attorneys will also offer the first consultation free of charge, so if there is not a Clinic listed locally, you could contact a local firm of patent attorneys. To search our Directory of Patent Attorneys click here .
Aberdeen
IP advice clinics are held at Aberdeen Central Library generally on the third Wednesday of each month – 3.45pm to 7.05 pm – Booking is essential.
To make a booking or for more information contact Aberdeen PATLIB
Tel: 01224 652500
Email: LibraryEvents@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Address: Aberdeen Central Library, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, AB25 1GW
Birmingham
The Business and Learning in Birmingham Central Library holds IP Clinics every Monday evening, from 5:00-6.30 pm - appointment necessary.
Each appointment will consist of a one-hour confidential consultation with a specialist patent and IP information officer/librarian. These appointments may include:
- assistance in constructing a search strategy for patents, trade marks or registered design;
- referral to other agencies for professional help and funding; and
- supply of and basic guidance on procedures and forms for registration of IP rights.
For more information or to make a booking please contact Business and Learning:
Tel: 0121 303 6800
Email: businessandlearning@birmingham.gov.uk
Address: Library of Birmingham, Cenetenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2ND
The library also offers weekday appointments [for further information on weekday clinics please contact Business & Learning on the details above].
Cambridge
IP advice clinics are being held in Cambridge every few months, based on demand from the local community. The location of the clinics may vary each month, so please check this page regularly for information about upcoming clinics. If you would like free advice on patents, trade marks, designs, copyright, or any other general IP advice related to developing and commercialising an idea, please come along to the clinics where you will be able to talk to a qualified Patent Attorney and member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.
Appointments are necessary – please email us to book an appointment (which will last up to 30 minutes).
Email: eastofengland@cipa.org.uk
Date of June clinic: Thursday 6th June 201, 10:00 to 13:00
Location: Small Interview Room, Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard, Cambridge, CB2 3QD
Inverness
An appointment is necessary and can be made via email or by phone. Each appointment will be confidential and last up to 45 minutes. Should advice regarding trade marks be sought, only basic general advice, and signposting to Registered Trade Mark Attorneys will be offered.
Tel: 01463 225749
Email: email@capellaip.com
Address: Ground Floor Meeting Room, Solasta House, 8 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA (Solasta House is next door to Aurora House)
For more information, please click here
Leeds
Talks, advice and networking for inventors and entrepreneurs. Once a month on a Monday evening in the Central Library - appointment necessary.
For more information or to make an appointment please contact:
Contact: Mr Gerard Doonan
Tel: 0113 247 8266
Email: bipcleeds@leeds.gov.uk
Address: Business & IP Centre Leeds, Central Library, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB
Liverpool
IP clinics are held at Liverpool Central Library on the first Tuesday of the month – 5.00pm to 7.30 pm - appointment necessary.
To make an appointment contact
The Business & IP Centre.
Tel: 0151 233 5835
Email: libraries.enquiries@liverpool.gov.uk
Address: Liverpool Business & IP Centre, Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EW
London
Due to COVID-19, CIPA officers have made the decision to postpone face-to-face appointments until further notice. In the meantime, if you are looking to make an appointment, please email clinics@cipa.org.uk and they will provide you with an alternative method.
London IP Clinics are held every Monday evening with the option of one Tuesday a month. Please note, booking is essential via email only and a deposit of £25 is required to guarantee all appointments. To arrange an appointment or for more information, please contact:
Email: clinics@cipa.org.uk
Address: CIPA, Halton House, 20-23 Holborn EC1N 2JD
You can also contact a Patent Attorney directly for advice, visit our Find a Patent Attorney service where you can search for a London-based patent attorney.
Manchester
Every third Tuesday of the month - 2pm to 6pm - appointment necessary.
Contact: Manchester PATLIB
Tel: 0161 234 1990/91
Email: patlib@manchester.gov.uk
Address: Business and Intellectual Property Centre, Manchester Central Library, St.Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Newcastle City Library offer free 1-2-1 advice in one-hour appointments every Wednesday morning and every Friday afternoon. They also have a range of free guides. Sessions take place on Level 1 at Newcastle City Library, just two-minutes walk from Monument metro station. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:
Newcastle Libraries’ Patent Advice Service
Tel: 0191 2774100
E: bipcnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk
Address: Newcastle City Library, Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8AX
Web: www.bipcnewcastle.co.uk
Newport, South Wales
With the assistance of CIPA, the Intellectual Property Office in Newport is now running regular Clinics. An Examiner from the Intellectual Property Office will also take part in the clinic.
Address: Intellectual Property Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport NP10 8QQ
For details of the venue, dates and to book an appointment online click here
Peterborough
IP Clinics are being held at Baldwins Accountants on the second Monday of the month – 10am to 12pm - appointment necessary.
Contact: Joanna Bacon
Email: joanna.bacon@rawlinsons.co.uk Address: Baldwins, Ruthlyn House, 90 Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2SP
Click here for more contact details.
Portsmouth
Intellectual Property Advice Support Service (iPass), offers IP advice to students and alumni of University of Portsmouth only.
Contact: Joe Sekhon (Director of iPass & Senior Lecturer in Intellectual Property Law)
Tel: 02392 84102
Email: joe.sekhon@port.ac.uk
Address: Intellectual Property Advice Support Service (iPass), School of Law, University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth PO1 3DE
Please Note: iPass is funded by the UK Intellectual Property Office and is open to students and alumni of the University of Portsmouth only.
Sheffield
The Reference and Information Library, Central Library, offers IP advice one day a month, from 9:30-5:30pm - appointment necessary.
Contact: Lynne Hinchliff
Tel: 0114 2734736/37
Email: information.library@sheffield.gov.uk.
Address: Reference and Information Library, Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 1XZ
Southampton
Southampton central library hold IP Clinics on the last Thursday of each month, between 5-7pm.
Contact: Library Administration Office
Tel: 023 8083 4645 before 2 p.m
Email: jackie.titcombe@southampton.gov.uk
Address: Library Office, Central Library, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LW
