See also
Find out more about the European Patent Office.
See the full list of the EPO member and extension states.
Internships for national judges at the EPO Boards of Appeal
The EPO offers a limited number of internship places for national judges of the EPC contracting states at the EPO Boards of Appeal.
The programme is organised by the European Patent Academy, whose objectives include the promotion of equal access to training opportunities related to international and European patent law and practice in all current and future EPC contracting states, and the Boards of Appeal.
Programme
The internship programme will be for a duration of one month.
Judicial interns will attend a one-week intensive training course on patentability requirements and the procedures of the Boards of Appeal.
This will be followed by a three-week "shadowing" of a Technical Board of Appeal. This will involve reading all the case files, attending and observing the case during the oral proceedings and discussing the case and the final decisions with the Board.
Due to the secrecy of deliberations rule, interns will not assist or participate in reaching the final decision of a case.
A maximum of seven judicial interns will be selected to take part in each session.
Requirements
This internship programme is open to qualified and practising national judges, nationals of and resident in the EPC contracting states.
Priority will be given to applicants who work in courts which are competent to deal with patent cases.
The main language of the internship programme will be in English, so a good command of the English language is essential.
Location
Munich
Dates
The internship session will take place during the entire month of June 2013 (3-28 June). The closing date for applications is 28 February 2013.
Further internship sessions, and the corresponding application deadlines, will be announced in due course.
Financial support
The EPO makes a contribution towards living costs and travel to Munich. It does not cover any other expenses.
Judicial interns must provide evidence of health insurance.
Application
Closing date: 28 February 2013.
After submitting your application you will see a confirmation web screen. You will not receive a separate confirmation notification by e-mail.
Retrieve your draft application
If you submit your application as a draft, you can retrieve it here.