The leading South West law firm with a reputation for delivering above and beyond for its clients, Stephens Scown has been recognised at the prestigious Managing IP Awards for its role in a landmark trade mark case on behalf of long‑standing client, Thatchers Cider.
The firm’s Intellectual Property and Data Protection and Commercial Dispute Resolution teams won UK Impact Case of the Year, an award recognising work of exceptional significance to clients and to the development of IP law.
The award celebrates Stephens Scown’s successful representation of Thatchers in its trade mark dispute against supermarket giant Aldi – a case that has attracted global media attention and is widely regarded as one of the most important brand protection decisions in decades.
Collected at a ceremony at The InterContinental Hotel at the O2 in London (1 May 2026), the award recognises the work of partners Thomas Chartres‑Moore, Becky Pickford and Richard Slater, trade mark attorney Olivia Richards, and solicitor Izzy Kershaw. The team was shortlisted alongside national law firms and emerged victorious.
The case arose after Thatchers issued proceedings in 2022, alleging that Aldi infringed its registered trade mark rights in its popular Cloudy Lemon Cider by selling a similar product.
In January 2024, the High Court found that while Aldi had intended to produce a “dupe”, it had not taken unfair advantage of Thatchers’ trade mark. Thatchers, advised by Stephens Scown, appealed that decision to the Court of Appeal.
In December 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the earlier ruling, finding that Aldi had deliberately sought to remind consumers of Thatchers’ trade mark in order to sell its own product, and had obtained an unfair advantage by benefiting from Thatchers’ significant investment in its brand.
Aldi subsequently sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Court of Appeal had effectively created a new concept of unlawful “mere copying”. Thatchers successfully resisted that application, and the Supreme Court refused permission to appeal, confirming that no arguable point of law arose.
The decision confirms that Aldi took unfair advantage of Thatchers’ trade mark and represents the first UK ruling of its kind. It sends a clear message to businesses that well‑managed intellectual property rights can be effectively enforced, even against large competitors and “copycat” products.
Commenting on the award, Thomas Chartres‑Moore said:
“This award recognises the global impact of this case and what it means for businesses seeking to protect their brands. It was an outstanding result for our client and a reflection of the strength of our teams working collaboratively to deliver complex, high‑profile litigation.”