Lakmal Walawage
Lakmal is a Partner in the Intellectual Property team advising on all aspects of intellectual property, both contentious and non-contentious. He supports clients in protecting, commercialising and enforcing their valuable intangible assets.
Lakmal acts for clients in a range of sectors and industries including food and beverage, healthcare, software, manufacturing, sports, music, and fashion. His client range in size and profile, from SMEs and founder-led businesses to multinationals and listed groups.
He prides himself on offering a bespoke and tailored service in each case and advises on:
- IP Protection: Protecting both registered and unregistered IP assets on behalf of clients globally.
- IP Commercialisation: Assisting businesses to commercialise their IP whilst making sure safeguards are in place.
- IP Disputes: Helping clients navigate and resolve complex IP disputes effectively.
- IP Portfolio Management: Managing all sizes of IP portfolios effectively, to maximise value and longevity.
- IP Audits: Auditing business’ IP portfolios to provide improved strategies for protection, commercialisation and enforcement.
- Confidential Information & Trade Secrets: Protecting valuable information within a business and resolving disputes in the event of breaches.
Lakmal enjoys working in partnership with clients and building long term relationships. This allows him to understand their business and goals in order to provide them with tailored solutions to help them achieve those goals. Clients value him for his breadth of expertise and clarity in advice. He often gets to the root of issues experienced by clients quickly and addresses them effectively.
Lakmal also undertakes non-contentious work on behalf of clients, protecting and managing their IP, and helping them commercialise their IP. The following are recent examples of work:
- Advising a national charity on renaming its landscape conservation designations, protecting the new brand and assisting in commercialisation.
- Advising an innovative hair care business on commercialising their patented hair straightener technology with appropriate safeguards in place to protect the IP.
- Advising a data science, engineering and analytics business in protecting their brands and know-how.
Lakmal has acted at all levels of court and tribunal in the UK and EU. The following are some reported cases that Lakmal has represented clients:
Expertise
Intellectual Property
Copyright
Brand Protection
Confidentiality and Trade Secrets
Designs and Related Rights Including Database Rights
Intellectual Property Disputes
Trade Marks
Credentials
Recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2026
Member of the International Trade Mark Association (INTA)
Regularly writes for several publications including Lexis Nexis, the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice, Solicitors’ Journal, City AM, NewsWeek, Lexology and others.
Member of the Institute for Export
Expert on the Design Business Association’s Expert Register
EXPERIENCE
Lakmal's experience includes:
M L Technology Limited & Anor v B.E.A.T SAM & Ors [2023] EWHC 1660 (Ch) – UK/EU trade mark infringement claim representing the Claimants with Defendants spanning the UK, Switzerland, Monaco and Cyprus. This hearing was a victory for the Claimants in a security for costs and stay application filed by the Defendants.
AXA Wholesale Trading Ltd v AXA [2023] EWHC 1339 (Ch) – Acting for the Respondent (AXA) in an appeal from the Company Names Tribunal brought by the Appellant, Axa Wholesale Trading. The appeal was dismissed in a win for AXA.
Urbanbubble Ltd & Ors v Urban Evolution Property Management Ltd & Ors [2022] EWHC 134 (IPEC) – trade mark infringement claim, with complex elements of consent and estoppel.
Penhallurick v MD5 Ltd [2021] EWHC 293 (IPEC) – software copyright infringement claim centering around the issue of whether the copyright work was created “in the course of employment”.
Freshasia Foods Ltd v Lu [2019] EWHC 638 (Ch) – successfully defending a claim for breach of confidence, copyright infringement and breach of contract brought by the Claimant FreshAsia Foods.
Argos Ltd v Argos Systems Inc [2018] EWCA Civ 2211 – Appeal to the Court of Appeal in a trade mark infringement and passing off claim, representing the Respondent. Several complex issues such as targeting, unfair advantage, consent and others. The appeal was dismissed.
Argos Ltd v Argos Systems Inc [2017] EWHC 231 (Ch) – first instance High Court decision in relation to the above case, successfully defending Argos Systems Inc, a company part of the Vertex Group based in Nashua, NH, USA
We’ve been consistently impressed by the professionalism, responsiveness, and strategic insight of Lakmal. He quickly grasps the commercial impact of trademark issues and provides clear, effective solutions that protect our brand and business interests. His dedication and work ethic give us complete confidence in every matter he handles. Highly recommended for any business seeking expert trademark guidance.
Jack Prichard, CEO Polyco Healthline Group (2025)
Lakmal is a fantastic IP lawyer. Not only does he have incredible knowledge of IP law, he is a great strategic thinker, and with his help we've built a strong, powerful brand. His recommendations and clear thinking have helped throughout our growth phase, and we continue to rely on him to ensure our interests are well protected. He's also very patient and always available when we need a quick phone chat to discuss strategy or brainstorm ideas. Thank you Lakmal!
Barnaby Dixon, CEO and Founder, Vibaweb (UK) Limited and GoFile Limited (2025)