Guidelines for Examination

The debit order must be clear, unambiguous and unconditional. It must contain particulars necessary to identify the purpose of the payment, including the amount of each fee or expense concerned, and must indicate the number of the account which is to be debited. The Boards of Appeal have decided that a debit order must be carried out notwithstanding incorrect information given in it if the intention of the person giving the order is clear (see T 152/82). Debiting occurs in principle on the basis of a written debit order signed by the account holder. The various ways in which a debit order may be filed, including online and fax filing, are given in point 6.2 ADA. Paper confirmation is not required.