Wales, with Cardiff as its capital, has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. In the wake of heavy industry decline in the late 1970s, inward investment was encouraged to bring in many foreign-owned manufacturing and service sector employers. However the emphasis in Wales is now towards supporting the development of small and medium sized enterprises to bring about a sustainable improvement in the Welsh economy.
The Cardiff office opened in 2001 with the objectives of providing enhanced access to existing Abel & Imray clients in Wales and reaching out to those seeking locally accessible advice from a well-established firm. The office works directly with clients in Wales, the UK and overseas and has extensive links with associates throughout the world. The office also has links with local solicitors in South Wales and Welsh funding bodies.
Abel & Imray is a keen supporter of various initiatives in Wales that aim to assist and promote innovation and technology particularly in relation to Welsh SMEs. Abel & Imray was a leading sponsor of the 2011 MediWales Innovation Awards - see video clip below. We have also supported various other initiatives in Wales including IP Wales and the High Growth Programme that was delivered by Entrepreneur Action (an initiative provided under the Welsh Government's Department for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks and part financed by the European Union). We also supported the inaugural Made in Wales Awards 2011, by sponsoring the "Advanced Manufacturing" award.
The Cardiff office provides a comprehensive patent and trade mark service and handles work in all technologies, including engineering, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, optics and computing. The office also handles other intellectual property matters, in addition to patents and trademarks: notably, designs and related copyright issues.
The office has recently located to Cardiff Bay close to the National Assembly’s Senedd and many large legal and financial institutions and is within an easy walk of Cardiff Bay train station. Cardiff is served by good rail links with the rest of Britain, with a journey time to London of 2 hours. Cardiff International Airport is located just over 10 miles from the office and the UK Patent Office is just 15 miles away at Newport. Swansea is also within easy reach by road or rail.