Ones to Watch UK 2025: Bryce Matthewson

Every year, JUVE Patent carries out extensive research in the UK patent market, culminating in the publication of the UK patent ranking. Our latest research highlighted Bryce Matthewson, a patent litigator from Powell Gilbert as one of the current ‘Ones to Watch’ in the UK patent market.

Can one describe a mechanism in a card shuffling machine, which moves cards up and down, as a carousel? This was one of the first questions that Bryce Matthewson, now 37, tackled in a patent case. At the time, he was a candidate attorney at Cowan Harper, a law boutique in Johannesburg.

In his native South Africa, Matthewson studied chemistry and law. From the outset, his goal was to become a patent litigator — a career path recommended by a family friend when he could not decide between law and chemistry. Years later this proved wise advice.

Since South African patent litigators must also qualify as patent attorneys, Matthewson completed his training locally. After three years with Spoor & Fisher in Centurion, he moved to Powell Gilbert in London to further develop his patent litigation expertise.

Change of perspective

This step represented not only a change of continents but also a shift in perspective. While Matthewson previously worked mainly on cases coordinated from the UK or US, he suddenly found himself at a firm whose core business is the very coordination of such cases.

Matthewson’s recent prominence in the patent scene stems from just such a classic Powell Gilbert case, where he worked alongside Siddharth Kusumakar for Edwards Lifesciences against Meril. The dispute is playing out not only before UK courts, but also at the EPO and the UPC. He also regularly works in the Penny Gilbert team for Biogen.

Like many of his generation, Matthewson sees the UPC as an excellent opportunity to add another dimension to patent litigation. He is already registered as a UPC representative.

And outside of work? Like many patent litigators, early riser Matthewson spends his free time on his racing and mountain bikes, riding around London’s bike parks. This provides him with welcome opportunities to train for legendary bike races in his home country, such as the Absa Cape Epic.