A senior UK intellectual property (IP) judge, Lord Justice Pumfrey, has died at the age of 56, just a month after his promotion to the Court of Appeal.
Pumfrey died of a stroke at home in the early hours of Christmas Eve. Three days earlier he had handed down his judgment on a complex dispute between mobile phone giant Nokia and Interdigital Technology Corporation.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said: “The thoughts of all members of the judiciary are with his family at this difficult time.”
Sir Nicholas Pumfrey was appointed to the High Court in 1997 and was promoted to the Court of Appeal in November 2007 following the retirement of Lord Justice Chadwick. He was called to the Bar in 1975 and became a QC in 1990.
The Master of the Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, added: “Besides being a life-enhancing character he was a great expert in the world of patents and intellectual property and was on the verge of contributing to the life of the Court of Appeal in many different areas.”
A funeral service will be held at the Temple Church at 4.30pm on Monday 14 January.
For those wishing to pay tribute, click here to share your recollections of Sir Nicholas Pumfrey.
a very sad loss.
A great loss to the Bench and Bar. This is a tragically young age for such a promising judge to pass away. One can only echo those thoughts of support for his family.
The death has an impact on what is an important area for the judiciary. I hope that the process of filling the vacancy (and casual vacancy in the High Court) is swift. IP judges have not fared well- Laddie's departure from the Bench, and now this untimely loss. RIP.
Nicholas and I started our journey together - he was a wonderful character and a superb Judge - I shall miss him
I had the opportunity to work with Mr Justice Pumfrey during my stage at the Royal Court of Justice in London in November 2006 (European Exchange Program of the Supreme Courts Judges). I could appreciate his great competence and experience, together with his kindness and good nature. I share everybody's deep sorrow for his loss and I would like to tender my sympathy to his family and British colleagues.
I met Lord Justice Pumfrey during seminars organized by European Patent Academy for national judges. He was great human being, open and kind person for young judges who had just started theirs journey with IP law. His experience and knowledge was outstanding. I share everybody's deep sorrow for his loss.
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