Ashurst has closed down its intellectual property (IP) litigation practice following the departure of its sole partner Ian Starr.

Starr will join IP boutique D Young & Co on 1 January alongside senior associate Tamsin Holman, who will become a partner at the firm. They will also be joined by junior associates Cam Gatta and Anna Reid and two secretaries.

Prior to joining Ashurst in 1993, Starr had been a partner at Clifford Chance (CC) since 1984. His practice focuses on the protection, enforcement and licensing of IP and related technology rights, and he is joining D Young with a brief to launch a litigation practice.

The team will maintain a relationship with Ashurst, with the firm set to refer contentious IP work to D Young in future.

D Young head of trade marks Jeremy Pennant commented: "Increasingly, clients are requiring us to manage their contentious work, and we will now be able to offer court litigation services as well as the full range of alternative dispute resolution procedures.

He added: "Ian and Tamsin bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and we are excited at the prospect of their arrival."

The moves come after Ashurst corporate finance partner Stephen Fox announced his departure from the firm last month. Fox, who had been a partner in Ashurst's City corporate team since 2000, is joining CC.