Coronavirus

Information for parties, parties' representatives and accompanying persons or visitors to the Boards of Appeal of the EPO 

The Boards of Appeal are closely monitoring the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide.

In response to the latest developments and in line with recommendations issued by international health authorities, the President of the Boards of Appeal kindly requests parties, parties' representatives and accompanying persons or visitors to abstain from entering the premises of  the Board of Appeal's building if in the last 14 days they have visited high risk areas,  or have been in contact with a confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in that period. Please note that the list of countries and areas will be continuously updated on the basis of new developments and recommendations.

If this prevents a party or a party's representative, as the case may be, from attending oral proceedings, the responsible Board of Appeal should be informed as soon as a possible. The registrar of the respective board should be contacted under the contact details provided in the summons to oral proceedings.

On arrival at the premises of the Boards of Appeal parties, parties‘ representatives and accompanying persons or visitors will be asked to complete a simple screening questionnaire. Persons who have been in the above mentioned areas in the past 14 days, or have been in contact with a confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patient in that period, will be denied access to the Boards of Appeal's premises.

The President of the Boards of Appeal will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate measures as the situation evolves.