EUROPEAN PATENT CONVENTION 1973 - Table of Contents CONVENTION PART I - GENERAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS Chapter III - The European Patent Office Article 18 - Examining Divisions

Article 18 12

Examining Divisions

(1) The Examining Divisions shall be responsible for the examination of European patent applications.

(2)13 An Examining Division shall consist of three technically qualified examiners. However, before a decision is taken on a European patent application, its examination shall, as a general rule, be entrusted to one member of the Examining Division. Oral proceedings shall be before the Examining Division itself. If the Examining Division considers that the nature of the decision so requires, it shall be enlarged by the addition of a legally qualified examiner. In the event of parity of votes, the vote of the Chairman of the Examining Division shall be decisive.

12 Amended by the Act revising the European Patent Convention of 29.11.2000, provisionally applicable as of 29.11.2000 (OJ EPO 2001, Special edition No. 4).

13  See opinion of the Enlarged Board of Appeal G 1/02 (Annex I).