Generally the first person to apply for a patent for an invention will own the patent and this position applies in most countries. However the effect of international patent conventions is that the first application is termed the "priority date" for a patent and novelty will not be prejudiced if other national applications for the same subject matter are made by the applicant within twelve months of the UK priority date. UK applicants must apply in the UK first.
Easyform Glossary of Law Terms. — UK law terms.