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Successfully Conducting Oral Proceedings at the EPO (European Patent Office) Training Course

To defend your client's interests correctly and competently it is vital to know what to expect at oral proceedings and to be property prepared.

13 February 2025
+ 9 June 2025, 14 October 2025 »

from £499

Need help?  Enrol or reserve

Course overview

Oral proceedings can occur during any stage of a European application; they are organised to conclude the majority of appeal cases, and in many opposition and examination cases. Are you up to date with the latest practice and procedures in the EPO?

A European patent attorney will almost certainly at some point have to contest a case in oral proceedings, either to defend a client’s invention or to attack a patent held by a competitor. Your first experience of oral proceedings can be intimidating, particularly since both the legal procedure and the facts and arguments of the case may take unexpected turns. Unlike in written proceedings, you need to react quickly and decisively whenever a surprise occurs.

To defend your client’s interests correctly and competently it is vital to know what to expect at this European level and to be properly prepared for it. This workshop style programme gives participants the opportunity to become up-to-date on current practice in the EPO and to develop the necessary practical skills and confidence in preparing for and appearing at oral proceedings at all levels of the EPO.

The expert trainer will share his inside knowledge and experience, and give invaluable practical and strategic advice that would otherwise require a lot of trial and error to acquire.

The EPC, EPO Guidelines, relevant case law, and the Rules of Procedure of the Board of Appeal will be discussed and referred to throughout the course when relevant.

This course is part of our collection of IP & Patents Training Courses.

Benefits of attending

By attending this programme you will:

  • Understand how oral proceedings work
  • Gain insider information on how to get your case ready
  • Get to grips with what to do on the day and be prepared for the unexpected
  • Learn the techniques needed to achieve best results

Who should attend?

This one-day course has been specially designed for recently qualified, or part qualified, European Patent Attorneys, as well as those who are looking for a refresher and those who want to learn some new skills and extend their knowledge in this vital area.

Delegates will be familiar with EPO patent practice in general and have a good knowledge of at least the basic law governing oral proceedings. 

Enrol or reserve

This course will cover:

The basics and the law

  • Requesting oral proceedings
  • Different types of oral proceedings: procedure, form, parties, length
  • Language and interpretation
  • Non-attendance and withdrawal of a request for oral proceedings

Preparing for oral proceedings

  • The Summons
  • Preliminary opinions
  • Written submissions and late requests
  • Notes and materials to bring to the hearing

During the oral proceedings

  • Opening phase
  • Main phase
  • Filing or reacting to amendments
  • Dealing with other parties
  • Closing phase

After the oral proceedings

  • The minutes
  • The written decision
  • Continuing in writing

Appeal

  • Basic law
  • Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal 2020
  • Differences with first instance hearings

Final questions

Enrol or reserve

Joeri Beetz
Keltie LLP

Joeri Beetz, Patent Attorney, Keltie LLP, specialises in patents in the fields of mechanical engineering, physics and control software. Amongst all the different technologies he has been extensively involved in are optical recording, medical devices, agricultural equipment, lighting, displays and automotive. He regularly represents clients in opposition procedures at the EPO, both to defend and to attack patents.

Joeri spent nine years in a Dutch patent firm based in Eindhoven, after five years of working at the in-house patent department of CNH Industrial. He joined Keltie in 2017. During his in-house period he managed a large patent portfolio for a broad range of different combine harvesters. At CNH Industrial, he built an extensive expertise in freedom to operate and patent infringement analysis and gained a keen insight in the commercial implications of different IP strategies.

In 2002, Joeri obtained his masters degree in physics at the University of Utrecht. In his final year at University, he built and tested equipment for testing particle detectors for the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

More details

NEW higher discounts for multiple bookings - bring your colleagues to make your training budget go further:

  • 30% off the 2nd delegate*
  • 40% off the 3rd delegate*
  • 50% off the 4th delegate*

Please contact us for pricing if you are interested in booking 5 or more delegates

13 February 2025

Live online

09:00-17:00 UK (London) (UTC+00)
10:00-18:00 Paris (UTC+01)
04:00-12:00 New York (UTC-05)
Course code 14513

  • GBP 499 599
  • EUR 719 859
  • USD 823 979

Until 09 Jan

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Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

9 June 2025

Live online

09:00-17:00 UK (London) (UTC+01)
10:00-18:00 Paris (UTC+02)
04:00-12:00 New York (UTC-04)
Course code 14739

  • GBP 499 599
  • EUR 719 859
  • USD 823 979

Until 05 May

View basket 

 
Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

14 October 2025

Classroom
Rembrandt Hotel
London

08:30-17:00 UK (London)
Course code 15007
Optional £255/€356/$407 per night

  • GBP 599 699
  • EUR 869 1,009
  • USD 993 1,149

Until 09 Sep

  • 1 day classroom-based training
  • Optional accommodation - 1 night including breakfast, checking in the day before the course
  • Meet presenters and fellow attendees in person
  • Lunch and refreshments provided
  • Download documentation and certification of completion
  • Fair transfer and cancellation policy

View basket 

 
Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

* Early booking discounts may not be combined with other discounts or offers. As such, the discounts for 2nd/3rd/4th delegates are based on the full price; and apply only when booking multiple delegates on the same date.

Reviews of IPI's Successfully Conducting Oral Proceedings at the EPO training course


Very pedagogical, clear and easy to follow. Good use of PowerPoint. Not too much or too little information.

Jun 10 2024

Hannes Jansson
European Patent Attorney, Zacco Sweden AB

Jun 10 2024

To have a clear and complete vision of the oral proceedings before the EPO. The webinar gave me an overview with some specific tips, so my objective is reached.

Alexandra Stefenel
European Patent Attorney (Thiochemicals), Arkema France SA

France

  • Arkema France
  • Arkema France SA

Italy

  • Eni S.p.A.
  • FRESENIUS KABI IPSUM S.R.L.

United Kingdom

  • Quell Therapeutics
  • Withers & Rogers LLP

Sweden

  • Zacco Sweden AB

Enrol or reserve

Run Successfully Conducting Oral Proceedings at the EPO Live online/Classroom for your team

1 day

Typical duration

Pricing from:

  • GBP 450
  • Per attendee, based on 10 attendees
  • Course tailored to your requirements
  • At your choice of location, or online

 

We can customise this course to your requirements and deliver it on an in-house basis for any number of your staff or colleagues.

Contact our in-house training experts Aleksandra Beer and Yesim Nurko to discuss your requirements:

Multiple colleagues? See above for details of our discounts for 2, 3, or 4 delegates. For more, talk to one of our training experts to discuss how to:

Run this course conveniently and cost-effectively in-house for your staff and colleagues

Aleksandra Beer

Aleksandra BEER
Training expert

Yesim Nurko

Yesim NURKO
Training expert

+44 (0)20 7749 4749

inhouse@ipi.academy