Phoebe Whitlock

Phoebe Whitlock is a barrister specialising in intellectual property, technology and commercial disputes. She acts for companies and individuals in contentious and advisory matters, with particular experience in contractual disputes, intellectual property and technology-related disputes.

Phoebe has a particular interest in the application of emerging technologies to law and the legal issues arising from artificial intelligence. She has an MSc in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Oxford, where her research focused on copyright and AI-generated works. She is currently a Churchill Fellow, undertaking research into how artificial intelligence can be used to improve access to justice.

Before returning to the Bar, Phoebe practised as a solicitor and worked in-house for a number of technology and digital businesses, advising on commercial contracts, intellectual property, data protection, technology transactions and regulatory matters. This experience gives her a practical understanding of the commercial and technological issues underlying complex disputes.

Phoebe has appeared in courts across England and Wales in a range of civil and commercial matters and is experienced in acting for both businesses and individuals. She is particularly experienced in contractual and business disputes, including disputes concerning the supply of services, technology and commercial agreements.

Phoebe is involved with the Society for Computers and Law and serves as a lay legal trustee of the Royal Microscopical Society.

Cryptoassets and Cryptocurrencies

Phoebe is interested in all aspects of technology law, including new and developing areas such as Cryptoassets and Cryptocurrencies. She has previously been involved in cases involving online fraud and digital impersonation.

Memberships

· TECBAR

· COMBAR

· Director of the Intellectual Property Awareness Network

· Lay Trustee of the Royal Microscopical Society

· Agile Management Team of the Advisory Board for the Society of Computers and Law

· Qualified Civil Mediator

Scholarships

· Prince of Wales Scholarship (Gray’s Inn)

· Advocacy Scholarship (BPP University)

Awards

· Awarded a Churchill Fellowship (2025)

· Awarded Women Who Will: Future Leaders Award (2025)

· Awarded In-House Rising star by the Women and Diversity in Law Awards (2024)

· Awarded In-House Rising Star by the Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards (2024)

· Shortlisted for the Rising Star Award in the Inspirational Women in Law Awards (2024)

· Longlisted for the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech (2024)

· First Prize in the GDL Category of the Bar Council Law Reform Essay Competition (2017)

Commercial

Phoebe has a broad commercial practice encompassing advisory, drafting and contentious work. She regularly acts for businesses and individuals in contractual and commercial disputes.

Her experience includes:

· Breach of contract

· Contractual interpretation

· Commercial and business disputes

· Sale of goods and services

· Consumer disputes

· Contract disputes involving technology and intellectual property

· Misrepresentation

Technology

Phoebe has significant experience advising technology businesses, having worked in-house for a number of technology and digital companies before coming to the Bar.

Her practice includes disputes and advisory work concerning technology products and services, software, intellectual property and data.

Her experience includes:

· Technology disputes

· Software and software licensing

· Technology contracts and SLAs

· Cybersecurity and digital disputes

· Data protection

· Digital impersonation and online fraud

· Commercial disputes involving technology

Intellectual Property

Phoebe has a particular interest in intellectual property disputes and advisory work, with a focus on copyright, trade marks, confidential information and the interaction between intellectual property and emerging technologies.

Her academic and professional experience includes extensive research into the development of copyright protection for computer-generated works and the implications of generative AI for authorship and ownership.

Her experience includes:

· Copyright and AI-generated works

· Generative AI and intellectual property

· Trade marks and passing off

· Confidential information and trade secrets

· Intellectual property disputes

· Technology-related IP disputes

· IP aspects of commercial agreements

Employment

Phoebe has experience advising and acting in employment disputes, including matters arising from contractual relationships between employers and employees. Her broader commercial practice means she is particularly well placed to advise where employment issues intersect with contractual, technology, intellectual property or confidentiality disputes.

Her experience includes:

· Breach of employment contracts

· Contractual disputes between employers and employees

· Confidentiality and trade secrets

· Restrictive covenants

· Intellectual property arising in the employment context

· Employment disputes involving technology businesses

· Misrepresentation and contractual issues arising from employment relationships

Property

Phoebe has experience in or is happy to accept instructions in:

· Landlord and tenant (residential and commercial)

· Possession claims

· Tenancy deposit disputes under the Housing Act 2004

· Business tenancy renewals under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

· Right to manage and enfranchisement

· Housing disrepair claims

Mediation

Phoebe Whitlock is a practising barrister and mediator with experience across civil, commercial, technology and intellectual property disputes. She is regularly instructed in disputes involving:

· Civil and commercial litigation

· Contractual and commercial disputes

· Technology and software disputes

· Intellectual property and copyright

· Professional and business disputes

· Employment and workplace disputes

· Partnership and shareholder disputes

· Consumer and regulatory disputes

Phoebe brings substantial advocacy and litigation experience to her mediation practice, having appeared in courts across England and Wales for both solicitors and Direct Access clients. Her experience as in-house counsel and in private practice also gives her a practical understanding of the commercial pressures underlying disputes and the importance of finding solutions that work beyond the litigation itself.

Phoebe conducts mediations in person and online, as required