SCOTTISH companies are likely to be able to still bring patent litigation at the Court of Session, it has emerged.

There were fears Scotland would have no dedicated patent court as part of a shake-up of the system in the UK which could lead to higher costs for businesses north of the Border.

But Business, Innovation and Skills Minister David Willetts has indicated the Edinburgh court will be one of the locations selected for the new service unless there is a "conspicuous lack of demand".

Mr Willetts made the comment in a debate on the Intellectual Property Bill.

Gill Grassie, a member of the Law Society of Scotland's Intellectual Property Law Committee, welcomed the statement and said she was hopeful a concrete commitment towards a Scottish patent court would be made soon.