Hindles are delighted to announce that both the firm and three directors have been recognised in the IAM Patent 1000 2026 rankings.

Hindles

Silver Prosecution Scotland

IAM 1000 noted:

“A quietly impressive player in the UK patent space, Hindles has built its reputation on quality over scale. Positioned between the largest full-service firms and smaller niche practices, the outfit strikes a careful balance. The firm has grown deliberately and sustainably, maintaining a high standard of work that continues to attract referrals from a loyal client base. While firmly established in Scotland, its recent expansion into Bristol signals a broader UK footprint and an increasing ability to support clients across multiple jurisdictions. The team’s strength is also rooted in its people. All attorneys bring strong academic credentials, with many holding PhDs and research backgrounds, allowing them to engage deeply with complex technologies. This scientific rigour is matched by a distinctly commercial outlook: the firm prioritises clear, practical advice tailored to each client’s business, avoiding overly legalistic approaches in favour of solutions that can be readily implemented.”

Alistair Hindle

Director; UK and European Patent Attorney; UK Trade Mark Attorney; MA PhD (Cambridge)

Gold Prosecution Scotland

“At the centre of the practice is namesake Alistair Hindle, founding director and a dual-qualified patent and trademark attorney, as well as a representative before the UPC. With a background in physics and biosensing, he advises across a broad range of technologies, from engineering and software to medical devices. He is particularly well regarded for his work with start-ups and SMEs, guiding them from early-stage innovation through to portfolio development, investment and, in many cases, eventual acquisition. Hindle combines technical depth with strategic insight, and his hands-on, commercially attuned approach ensures clients receive advice that not only protects their innovation but actively supports their growth trajectory.” – IAM Patent 1000

Robert Gregory

Director; UK and European Patent Attorney; MA (Cambridge) PhD (Liverpool)

Silver Prosecution and Recommended Expert England and Wales

Chris Cottingham

Director; UK and European Patent Attorney; MEng (Cambridge)

Silver Prosecution and Recommended Expert England and Wales

“Robert Gregory and Chris Cottingham play a central role in shaping Hindles’ growing reputation, underscoring the strength of a practice built beyond London, with offices in Edinburgh, Bristol and Liverpool. Gregory is active in the chemistry and life sciences space, advising Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, on European patent filings and broader protection strategy. Cottingham complements this with ongoing patent and design prosecution work for a longstanding client undergoing significant corporate change. Together, they work across a wide spectrum of scientific and technical fields, delivering a responsive, high-quality service with a flexible, cost-conscious approach.” – IAM Patent 1000

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