22092 SmithKline Beecham Biologicals SA v Connaught Laboratories Inc

Court of Appeal (Lord Chief Justice Bingham, Otton LJ, Robert Walker LJ, 7 July 1999) Patents Act 1977, s72; Rules of the Supreme Court, Order 24, r14A – confidentiality obligation on discovery – whether pre-read documents referred to in open court – skeleton argument as vehicle for public disclosure – judge’s findings dependent on pre-read documents – public interest in revocation of invalid patent – material of benefit in similar proceedings elsewhere – appeal dismissed (SRIS C/048/99)

Mr A Waugh QC and Mr A Speck (Stringer Saul) for the appellant petitioner; Mr R Henderson QC and Mr D Alexander (Herbert Smith) for the respondent.